For many years I have been aware of the multinational nature of my family tree. I have had four grandparents, with names that betray their origins. The first, Holford, is a bit misleading, being an English name, since this branch of the family tree is … Continue reading Five names, five nationalities
Category: Identity
Johann Holtorf – German or Danish?
Johann Holtorf was born in Bimöhlen, a tiny village in the Duchy of Holstein, on April 6, 1828. He left Holstein in 1856 when he was 28 years old. He was unmarried and travelled alone to Australia where he subsequently built a life for himself. … Continue reading Johann Holtorf – German or Danish?
My grandmothers and their names
My grandmothers were Winifred Erquhart Ross (1901-1999) and Gertrude Marion Byrne (1899-1975). Winifred became a Holford when she married Charles. Gertrude became a Simmonds. Of course I knew them as Nanna Holford and Nanna Simmonds, though in her later life Winifred informed us that she … Continue reading My grandmothers and their names
My grandfathers and their names
My two grandfathers were Charles John Stacey Holford, born in Goulburn, Australia in 1899, and George Frederick David Simmonds, born in Redhill, England in 1905. Charles had a different surname when he was born: he was Charles Holdorf, which was the same as his father’s. … Continue reading My grandfathers and their names
Major Charles John Holdorf (1869-1954)
The following was written by my father, Ian, about his grandfather, Charles John Holdorf, who I mentioned in the previous blog. It outlines Charles's military career. In 1890 he enlisted in the New South Wales Military Forces, and was commissioned in 1896. He had various … Continue reading Major Charles John Holdorf (1869-1954)
Forgotten tales 