Author Archives: sarthure

Trees, part 1 – tree of knowledge

Posted on December 30, 2014 by sarthure

With Christmas looming, and a house in the middle of some minor but disruptive renovations, what to do with all the books piled in the room that is about to be slept in by visitors? Enter the Christmas book tree. Enrobed with … Continue reading →

Posted in Fairy trees, Folk traditions | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Halloween – Samhain

Posted on October 31, 2014 by sarthure

Here’s something to frighten the life out of you – a lantern for Halloween in the traditional fashion, hollowed out of a turnip. On display in the Museum of Country Life, Turlough House, Mayo. The door’s on the latch The … Continue reading →

Posted in Around the world, Folk traditions, Halloween, Ireland | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

No Irish need apply

Posted on October 6, 2014 by sarthure

After recalling the old stories about 1950s London when boarding houses and shops had signs in their windows that No Irish Need Apply, I thought I might have a little trawl through the nineteenth century South Australian newspapers on Trove. To be perfectly … Continue reading →

Posted in Migration, South Australia | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The beginnings of bureaucracy

Posted on September 2, 2014 by sarthure

In 1845, the colony of South Australia was less than ten years old. But already, files were being created and documents saved as a bureacracy took its first steps alongside the colony. Here’s a letter that made me smile. Dated 18 July … Continue reading →

Posted in Around the world, South Australia | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The beginnings of bureaucracy

Eureka! Archival wonders

Posted on July 24, 2014 by sarthure

That moment in the State Records Office when you read something that proves something. I was in State Records a little while ago, way out north at Gepps Cross*, a flask of tea and a sandwich sort of journey from where … Continue reading →

Posted in Baker's Flat | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments