Reunion celebrates rich history
WHEN Dan Firth Bolton and Mary Redfearn Bolton sailed into Cooktown from England 132 years ago, they had no idea of the legacy they would leave behind.
Today, their descendants number around 500 and are scattered across Australia.
Recently, the family gathered at the Edmonton home of Henry and Dian Hill for their third reunion since 1985 with around 80 coming from Brisbane, Townsville, Mackay, Darwin, Rockhampton and Far North Queensland.
Reunion organiser Carol Gorton from Yeppoon said the family had copies of her great grandfather’s diary, which he started before sailing from England to Australia in 1887.
“The first entry was in 1882,” Carol said.
“It holds accounts of their journey from England to Australia and the day the volcanic island of Krakatoa blew itself to pieces in 1883, making a noise that was heard almost 3000 miles away, according to later reports published by Simon Winchester.
“A book was also passed around for everyone to comment in and sign in the hope it would be kept for future generations of the Bolton family and future reunions.”
Carol said Dan and Mary Bolton had only one child, Charles, when they left Batley, England, for Australia.
“They travelled on the ship Waroonga, arriving in Cooktown on October 10, 1887, and were tendered off the ship to the Immigration Department (Cooktown Hospital) in Green St, where they stayed for a few days before travelling to Cairns by steamship to set up home.”
Dan and Mary had six more children in Australia, while Carol’s grandfather, Charlie Bolton, had 10 children and Carol was one of five children.
“I was born in Cairns at the hospital run by Matron Gliddon. It turns out she was my husband’s aunty.
“My brothers went to St Augustine’s College and my sister and I went to St Joseph’s, then I went to St Monica’s College for secondary school.
“I lived in Cairns until I got married in 1965,” Carol said.
She had immersed herself in the Bolton family history for years and had drawn up a family tree, which now had 500 names on it, all descended from Dan and Mary Bolton.
“I’ve got it on A3 cardboard, but there are so many names now the printer said he was never going to do it again.
“Every time you add someone, it all goes out of skew.”
Carol said reunion guests had a great time meeting old and new relations, mulling over old photos, trying to decipher faces and poring over a collection of interesting family memorabilia.