Caroline’s Diary – A Hidden Gem of the SAG Collection

Among the many items in the Society’s manuscript collection are a small number of personal diaries kept by Caroline Thomas (née Husband).  These are part of a larger series still in private hands.  Caroline Husband began keeping a diary in 1851 when she was a 19 year old enjoying a whirl of London social events against the backdrop of the Great Exhibition.  Her accounts follow her family’s journey on the General Hewitt to Sydney, her time as a governess in Stroud, then her courtship and marriage to Henry Arding Thomas in 1855.  As she follows Henry and their growing family to Wellington, Armidale and finally Camden her diaries give us a valuable and personal insight into daily life for a woman in late 19^th century NSW. 

In 2015 Anne Philp published Caroline’s Diary, A woman’s world in colonial Australia which told the story of Caroline through these diaries.  This presentation draws on this work, the Husband and Thomas material in the Society’s collection and many other resources.

About the presenter:

Heather Garnsey worked at the SAG for over 35 years, retiring in 2020.  She is an Honorary Member, Fellow and Diplomate and continues to assist in different volunteer capacities while at the same time loving the opportunity to finally spend time on some of her own family history puzzles.

Heather has always enjoyed making researchers more aware of the many treasures held in the Society’s collections and this collection of Husband & Thomas material is a great example of one that can help us better understand the lives of our own ancestors.     

This webinar will be recorded so you can join live or watch the recording later.

Image is from the SAG Archives - 4/7452