Newcastle Family History Society Podcasts

In this final episode of Bushrangers in the Hunter Valley. we follow the story of the notorious Jewboy Gang and their enigmatic leader, Edward Davis, turning then to the enduring legend of Frederick Ward, aka Captain Thunderbolt and his partner, the remarkable Worimi bushranger, Mary Ann Bugg.

Get a preview of our May podcasts.

In this sixth and final podcast Jane Ison looks at the little-known Wesleyan Methodist Burial Ground once situated in Newcastle West.

In this episode of Notable Novocastrians, Mel Woodford explores the life of the actress, Essie Jenyns, who captured the public imagination and became an important part of Newcastle’s social history.

Join Society member Narelle Austen as she uncovers the context surrounding the events at Castle Forbes near Singleton and drawing on historical records and creative reconstruction, describes, in Part One, the beginnings of the trial of those involved in the revolt. 

Narelle Austen continues the story of those on trial for the Castle Forbes Revolt. Mr Roger Therry puts the case for the defence and two of the condemned men make a final plea for their suffering to be acknowledged.

Get a preview of our April podcasts.

Jane Ison looks at the first Newcastle Roman Catholic Burial Ground once situated beside Cottage Creek in Newcastle West.

Arriving as free settlers with little wealth, the Woods rose through mining, hotels and brewing to become some of the Newcastle’s richest and most influential citizens. Their money built grand houses on the Hill, funded hospitals, schools and charities, and helped shape the city's civic life.

In episode one we left Molly Morgan, Joe Hunt, Irish Frank and the Anvil Creek household awaiting the arrival of the bushranger gang, Jacob’s Irish Brigade. Drawing on historical records and creative reconstruction, this episode imagines how Jacob’s Irish Brigade may have been received by Molly Morgan - on a frontier where survival depended on knowing when to speak, and when not to.