Books on the History of the Western Australian Goldfields

Hundreds of books have been written on the Western Australian Goldfields. From reference books to fiction and most of all the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the quest for gold and the search for adventure. There are also many biographies and history books some on the broader subject of the history of the region and others on a specific subject or town. Outback Family History would like to review some of these that you may not have heard of and to tell you where they can be purchased if you would like your own copy. We also have a monthly book giveaway!

Kunanalling or the 25 Mile – ghost towns

Kunanalling or the 25 Mile Latitude 30 141’ S Longitude 121 04’ E In December of 1892, James Speakman and the party found gold 25 miles from Coolgardie and 17 miles north of Mt Burgess. Speakman pegged a lease but did not apply for an exemption when he left it on account of lack of […]

Thomas RYAN – The King of Meekatharra

Some time ago I was contacted by Sue Hartley who is the Great Granddaughter of Thomas Ryan and his wife, Henrietta Ryan nee Kane. Their third child, Mary Daisy Ryan, known as Dais, was her grandmother. Meekatharra Ryan” or the King of Meekatharra as Tom was known, did much to build the town amenities as […]

New Book Review – Shooting Through by Katrina Kittel

Shooting Through: Campo 106 escaped POWs after the Italian armistice by Katrina Kittel The stories of WW2 prisoner of war (POW) escapers from a cluster of rice farms in Italy known then as Campo 106 include Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians from all states. West Australians who enlisted into the 2/28th and 2/32nd Battalions, as well […]

Free History Book Giveaway

GOOD NEWS !!! We have been very fortunate to be given a whole carton of books on the History of the Anglican Church in Kalgoorlie. This book was written to commemorate the Centenary of the church from 1896 to 1996. Good Ernest Men and Women – 100yrs of Anglican Worship on the Goldfields. Written by […]

Bulong – The I.O.U – ghost town

Bulong Latitude 30° 43′ Longitude 121° 59′ A goldfields town about 34 kilometers east of Kalgoorlie, Bulong was gazetted in 1895. After the discovery of gold in this vicinity the area became known as “I.O.U” which was the name of a mine or a gold-mining lease. In October 1894 surveyor G.C.Hamilton was instructed to lay […]