Tracing Family Branches

At this time of year I am always flooded with memories of past Christmases, wonderful times spent with loved ones, some no longer here but always present in my heart and mind. Each Christmas spent with loved ones is a special gift that in time becomes a treasured memory and forms part of the story of our lives. This years Christmas tree We had a wonderful Christmas with family this year, our first Christmas as grandparents.  Christmas is magical when you are a child, becomes even more special when you become parents and then the magic is renewed again when you become grandparents! Our granddaughter enjoying her first Christmas

With Christmas rapidly approaching I thought I would find something to do with the Christmas theme for this weeks Trove Tuesday post. I don't know what today's children would make of Santa Claus using a dray drawn by bullocks adorned with fragrant blossoms on Christmas Eve, instead of a flying sleigh with reindeer!  It is an interesting mental image to say the least. Source: Santa Claus in New South Wales. (1881, December 24). Illustrated Sydney News (NSW : 1853 - 1872), p. 3. Retrieved December 10, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64974829 Transcript: Santa Claus in New South Wales. (See page 13.) And why not?  Why should not Santa Claus be as welcome in Australia as in the old world!  Colonial children are as fond of toys and as deserving of them as are those upon whom big-hearted, good-natured, ever-loving Santa Claus bestows his welcome favours in Europe and America.  Already crowds of little ones in this land of sunshine and flower...