My Culture, My Story

This year the Australian Heritage Festival is focusing on the theme My Culture;My Story. In 1859 Maryborough was declared a port of entry for settlers coming to Australia and it became a major entry point for many travelling from overseas looking for a new life. People with diverse heritages including German, Danish, Dutch, Scottish, Irish, Chinese and South Sea Islander came through the port and settled on the Fraser Coast and throughout Queensland.

Mr and Mrs Christiansen came from Denmark to the Bay, Early 1880 (Image part of the Christiansen Collection)

National Archives has put together some interesting documents relating to the early establishment of Multicultural Queensland. The Fraser Coast Libraries also has some amazing images and books detailing this period in history.These include:

• They came and stayed : a history of Hervey Bay / by Joan Christiansen.
• A History Of Germany And Guide To Tracing immigrants Who Came To Australia From Germany / Mcclelland, James
• The cruise of the Helena : a labour-recruiting voyage to the Solomon Islands / edited by Peter Corris.
• Among Australia's pioneers : Chinese indentured pastoral workers on the Northern Frontier 1848 to C.1880 / Margaret Slocomb.
• Haggis, Halloween And Hogmanay : A Tribute To our Scottish Pioneers / Kay F. Gassan.
• Irish Surnames And Their Possible Locations For family History Research / Mcclelland, James
• With his gold in a little velvet bag : the story of a Chinaman and a bonnie lassie from Edinburgh / Olsen, Joanne;Shang, Keith 
• From the edge of oblivion : history of the Stehbens family in its social context 1600-1900 / Ian Robert Stehbens
• As well as a variety of Immigrant Indexes.

Where did your ancestors come from?

Can you tell us your story?

If you are not sure how your ancestors arrived in Maryborough you can contact the Maryborough Family Institute and they will do their best to trace your family on their passenger lists:
Maryborough Family Heritage Institute Contact Details
Email: heritageresearch@bigpond.com or
Phone: 07 41231620
Address: 164 Richmond Street, Maryborough.
Opening Hours:Monday – Thurs. 9-3 and Friday 9-1.

The Hervey Bay Family History Association Inc can also help you find out more about your heritage:
The Hervey Bay Family History Association Inc. Hervey Bay Library (07) 41974220.


The Butchulla People are the Traditional Custodians/Owners of the Land, and their continued connection to the land on which we walk, work and live is acknowledged. Fraser Coast Libraries acknowledges and pays respects to the Elders past, present and emerging.

Tags: #culture #story #maryborough #port #herveybay #familyhistory