1860s

1863

Mary Ann Bugg, a well educated Biripi woman, swims through shark infested waters to Cockatoo Island prison to rescue her lover Frederick Ward (Captain Thunderbolt).

1867

Agnes Jones (Marshall) is born in Sydney. (Photograph Description Books, State Reformatory for Women, Long Bay, 1910-1930)

Elizabeth Summerbell, living at 1 Elizabeth Place, Darling Point, writes in 1934 to her cousin Annie Sulman, about her memories of their home in Upper William Street, Wooloomooloo (later 81 Bayswater Rd Kings Cross). She recalls, ‘It had an immense tract of land...Great big gum trees were on it and one time we saw a party of Aboriginals camping on the grounds, and I remember I was afraid for fear they would throw Boomerangs or spears at us. It is funny what ideas a child gets hold of. At all events I was always glad when we had passed by.'

PLEASE NOTE

All the video recordings on this website were made at least a decade ago. Some are fifteen years old.

What the speakers say on camera was based on their own knowledge and researches at the time each video was made. Since then a great deal of information has come to hand which may make some of the information first recorded now outdated. Therefore please regard this website as a period piece presenting knowledge held and believed at the time of recording.