The Tree of Me

The Gorilla Hunters R.M. Ballantyne Recently I've been tidying up around the house attemping to put into action the Fly Lady's tidying philosophy. Three piles - one to put away, one to give away and one to throw out. On our TV stand there was a copy of a book belonging to my husband's grandfather Patrick Brennan. Naturally this went in the put away safely pile. To celebrate Empire Day on May 24th 1912, 13 year old Patrick Brennan, son of William Brennan and Annie Ryan of Enmore, near Armidale was given a copy of the book The Gorilla Hunters (A Tale of the Wilds of Africa) by R.M. Ballantyne. Inscription to Patrick Brennan 1912 Inside is the following inscription. Empire Day May 24th 1912 Presented to Patrick Brennan Groses Creek Provisional School Harry H Wharton Teacher Flower pressed in the book Like a lot of my posts I want to see what other evidence this item can lead to. What further questions can I investigate?...

This morning I had the pleasure of corresponding with one of my husband's third cousins from Ireland. This has spurred me into spending the afternoon scanning. I'm set up on the dining room table sitting in front of the air conditioner on a very hot day here in Coffs Harbour. I have two letters  to share with E. so thought I'd put them online as there may be others who may find these letters useful. Who knows there may be other relatives we haven't made contact with. The first letter was written in 1929 from Martin Brennan in Knockmajor to his niece Mary Ann Brennan in Armidale. Mary Ann's father William had died in December 1928 and she had obviously written to Ireland to inform his family. Letter from Martin Brennan in Ireland to his niece Mary Ann Brennan in Australia - 1929 Knockmajor 8th April 1929 Dear Niece I was surprised when I got a letter from you as I never knew he was married once he went over he never wrote to me. I got him prayed f...