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Inspiration

Histories, memoirs, and accounts from the past are all too often focused on grand events or prominent figures. The voices and stories of ordinary Australians and their overseas ancestors have long been unheard or overlooked.

From convicts transported to Australia in the 18th and 19th centuries to free settlers who made the perilous journey from distant shores, each blog post aims to unearth the narratives that have shaped Modern Australia and my family’s heritage.

I hope you will join me in uncovering and reflecting on the legacies of the Anthony, Mazlin, and Poulton families as we trace their histories.

Dedication

To My Mother, Victoria Dell (nee Mazlin, formally Anthony) Poulton

To my mother, Victoria Dell Mazlin, who always inspired me to follow my passions. A remarkable storyteller, she had a way of weaving tales that captivated everyone around her. Throughout her life, she cherished her family deeply, nurturing us with love, wisdom, and unforgettable stories. Her strength and kindness continue to guide me every day.

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Kurt Strobach, who set me on this journey of researching my family history. My gratitude also goes to the extended Anthony, Mazlin and Poulton families for providing invaluable resources to tell these stories. Special thanks to Timothy Poulton for his guidance and advice on setting up this website. Lastly, I am deeply grateful to my partner, I Made Suranata, for his unwavering support throughout this journey.

Featured
Lagged for Life
Lagged for Life

A new chapter in the story of Hannah Brown, tracing her journey from conviction at the Old Bailey in 1813 to her arrival in Port Jackson aboard the Broxbornebury in 1814. This post explores the harsh conditions of the voyage, the ship’s near disaster in the Channel, and the resilience of the women aboard. You can read the full account on my Substack account.

The Bloody Code
The Bloody Code

Why were so many crimes punishable by death in 19th-century Britain?

This article explores the harsh legal system known as the Bloody Code, through the story of my great-great-great-grandmother, Hannah Brown, who was sentenced under its authority.

Substack: Lost Voices, Imearthed Stories
Substack: Lost Voices, Imearthed Stories

I’ve launched a new Substack—Lost Voices, Unearthed Stories—as a space to share fresh writing, research updates, and reflections on family history. It offers a quieter, more thoughtful alternative to social media and a way to connect with others who care about the past and how it shapes us.

When the Pieces Fall into Place
When the Pieces Fall into Place

A long-standing mystery in my family history has been how convict ancestors Hannah Brown and Thomas Maslin first met. Recent research into the Colonial Secretary’s Papers revealed Hannah’s assignment to surveyor George Evans in Newcastle—an associate of Thomas’s overseer, William Cox. This opens a plausible new explanation for their connection and highlights how scattered archival fragments can begin to illuminate long-obscured relationships.

Did Convicts Form Lasting Bonds at Sea?
Did Convicts Form Lasting Bonds at Sea?

What memories did convicts carry with them from the long voyage to Australia? This post reflects on the bonds that may have formed on board the convict ships—friendships, romances, and shared ordeals—and asks whether these connections endured once lives began again on Australian soil. Drawing on personal research into Hannah Brown and Thomas Maslin, it raises broader questions about silence, memory, and how the experience of transportation was remembered—or deliberately forgotten.