History can be fascinating at the detailed primary source level. Often this detail is only seen by the dedicated historian. This site provides an opportunity for historians and others to share interesting or amusing items they come across, which are incidental to their research purpose, and which may otherwise not see the light of day.

The site will also feature some pieces by well known 19th Century Australian writers, so as to bring their work to the notice of a modern audience.

It is a non profit site, provided as a public service.

Items will generally be at the personal or local level. They may illustrate an aspect of life in colonial Australia, but will not be chosen specifically for this purpose.

Items displayed will be drawn from 19th Century source material. This has the incidental advantage of avoiding copyright issues.

The intention (after the pilot period - see Notice Board) is to display a different picture and a different item each week. Over time these will be collected in the archives - building up a reference resource that can be perused for enjoyment, or study.

There will be no special attempt to present items in terms of themes, though this may occasionally occur. Variety will be the key. Apart from providing amusement, a regular reading of the weekly features should give people today some idea of what it was like to live in colonial Australia.

Hugh Capel
May 2004