Towns and places

The Eastern Goldfields is made up of hundred towns both big and small. Outback Family History would like to bring you a collection of stories about some of these abandoned towns which you may never have heard of. Some may only have been there for a few years and now very little remains of the small thriving communities.

Murty Broderick – He threw a seven!

Coolgardie Miner Saturday 23 June 1894, page 5 He Threw a Seven by Smiler Hayles He came to this field amongst the first army of gold-seekers who swept inland from the sea coast, intent upon burgling the treasure chests of nature. He was only one of the rough but gallant band of pioneers who, leaving […]

Kanownas ‘Gods Acre’ – in a sad state.

As the following article states, the neglect and general poor condition of the Kanowna Cemetery, was as bad in 1924 (nearly 100 yrs ago), as it is today. The second Kanowna cemetery is visible from the main road and a short drive from Kalgoorlie. These two reasons may account for a lot of the damage […]

The Box Soak Creek Rush:

Where is Box Creek you may ask? As I did myself back in 2000, (I can’t believe it was so long ago), when I received a letter from a lady in Queensland about a distant relative of hers called Ronald Donald McMillen who was supposed to be buried in the Box Soak Cemetery. I had […]

Sinking a New Shaft- North Kalgurli – 1950

North Kalgurli (1912) Ltd Mine –   Shift Crew Sinking a new shaft 11th Dec 1950 – Completed sinking 10th Jun 1952. sent by Dallas Calneggia (Geoffrey Lee is her father) Back Row: J Martin (Winderdriver), L Miller (Winderdriver), K Bishop (Carpenter), G Thompson (Shaft sinker), R Bevis (Shaft Sinker), D Erceg (Shaft Sinker), Middle Row […]

The Goldfields Fresh Air League:

The Fresh Air League was the vision of Irish social reformer and philanthropist, the Earl of Meath, due to his concerns over the conditions suffered by children in the congested cities and polluted mining areas of 19th Century Britain. He proposed setting up groups of volunteers to arrange holiday breaks where the children could be […]