Topic: Jenny Wright - author of upcoming publication Chest of Gold

Jenny Wright will present on her family history research process behind her forthcoming book Chest of Gold. 

Chest of Gold is a character driven narrative set in the nineteenth century Australian goldfields, a significant chapter in Australia’s colonial history. The central characters are Sarah Gale and Ah Chin. Sarah was born to emancipist parents Mary Shields and William Gale in Penrith in 1842. Ah Chin, a storekeeper, came from Canton.

In 1862 Sarah married 24-year-old Ah Chin in Sofala, NSW. They had six children in their time together as they made their way to the goldfield town of Nerrigundah on the NSW south coast then to Ravenswood and the Palmer River in north Queensland. Along the way, Sarah became a bush midwife while Ah Chin was a storekeeper, miner, publican, baker and always had a garden.

Their lives interested with other Chinese Australian couples, particularly Sarah’s good friend Elizabeth Long Poy (later Ah Sang and Swee Sang). Other friendships with neighbours in their final destination Charters Towers lasted across generations.

As the matriarch of the current day Archer family Sarah rests in the Charters Towers cemetery. Although Ah Chin mysteriously disappeared in the late 1870s, Sarah maintained contact with the Chinese community and remained Sarah Ah Chin for life.

Photo caption:

Sarah Ah Chin nee Gale, photograph courtesy of Archer family, Charters Towers

Come along and join us as we research our Chinese Australian ancestors in a collaborative, friendly and engaging research group. Make sure you have your questions ready and also be ready to assist others if you are able to as this is the basis of what all SAG Groups are about - people helping other people with ideas and suggestions about their family research. 

Skill level:  All - Beginners welcome

Lead: Hilda Maclean