We haven't yet told you that the Dictionary was regenerated in early March, because we've been so busy. Over the next few blog posts, I'll take you through the new articles and images that have been added to the site.
We've added articles on a varied group of eight new people (along with a lot of new people who have dates and facts and links but no article -- yet). They are:
Madame Christian, Illustrated Australian News 1 December 1892, courtesy State Library of Victoria IAN01/12/92/4
Michael Chapman, Irish-born businessman and mayor of Sydney in 1871-72. He was also a mayor of Glebe 1881-82, and MLA for Glebe 1883-5, and 1887-91. Starting as a paperhanger and housepainter, he did well in Sydney, after arriving at 18 from Ireland.
Mary Ellen Christian (aka Sister Mary Paul of the Cross), Canadian-born singer, nun and singing teacher, who converted a scandalous career as a performer with an illegitimate son, into a pious middle age as a Sister of Charity. She founded the Garcia School of Music, part of St Vincent's College.
George Cookney, whose career as a well-connected architect started well in the colony when he was made Government Architect at the age of 25, but went rapidly downhill, when he was dismissed, and later transported to Hobart for theft.
Daringa, Murro-ore-dial woman of the Maroubra area, and wife of Colebee, who made early contact with the new European arrivals, who were most interested in her care for her new baby. She died about 1795 from one of the new diseases brought by the invaders.
Nathaniel and Olivia Lucas, convicts made good, who made the best of their transportation and founded a large and successful family in the colony, despite early tragedy.
Laurent Receveur, French priest and naturalist, who sailed with Laperouse, and died at Botany Bay in February 1788 of wounds received in Samoa. His gravesite has become known as the site of perhaps the earliest Catholic mass to be celebrated on Australian soil.
Thomas Muir, Scottish political prisoner and escapee. Muir was an international figure for his advocacy of political reform in Britain, and the harsh punishment of transportation that was imposed on him. During his time in the colony, less than two years, Muir lived quietly and made no trouble, but he and his two convict servants escaped on an American ship in February 1796, bound for Vancouver Island.
You'll also find new images attached to our biographies of:
