Sorrento – the 200th Anniversary

Robert Barnes, Chairman of the Committee for the 200th Anniversary of the Collins Settlement at Sorrento gave an outline of the history of the settlement and events planned for its commemoration from the 4th to 12th October 2003. David Collins has often been...

The Commission of David Collins

On 7 February 1803 Lord Hobart wrote to David Collins to advise him that the King had commissioned him to be Lieutenant-Governor of the new settlement intended to be formed in “Bass’s Streights”. Lord Hobart also included Instructions to guide...

Sources and Records for Research at the GSV

There are many books and indexes to be found in the Genealogical Society of Victoria which are of interest to Port Phillip Pioneer researchers, and Eleanor Pugsley from the Society suggested those that she considered most appropriate. Eleanor is a firm believer in the...

Andrew Ramsay

The Rev. Andrew Ramsay arrived at Melbourne on 4 January 1847 with his wife and family per “Anne Milne” from Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. He was the first minister at Port Phillip of the United Secession which later became the United...

Death of a Child

Coroners Inquest: An inquest was held yesterday at the Mechanics’ Arms, Little Collins Street, on the body of Lucinda Galagher, the daughter of Robert Galagher, baker, of Little Collins Street, who came to her death in consequence of serious injuries...

William Waterfield’s Diaries

In 1983, Ada Ackerly became aware of the Rev. William Waterfield when she was researching correspondence sent to Superintendent La Trobe in 1839. Amongst Waterfield’s letters were marriage certificates, the records of which were not noted in the Early Church...