Tracing Family Branches

My great grandfather John Joseph Donnelly was the teacher at Sweet Briar and Balfour public schools in 1917. Source: SWEET BRIAR. (1917, January 17). Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218768361 Transcript: SWEET BRIAR. SCHOOL CLOSED (From a Correspondent.) Haymaking is in full swing here.  The weather during the past wekk has been ideal for getting in the crops.  A considerable quantity of hay has been destroyed by the heavy rains of a little while back. The Department of Education has closed the Sweet Briar and Balfour schools on account of small attendance, and the teacher Mr. Donnelly, has received notice of his appointment as assistant in the first-class public school at Erskinville, Sydney.  Mr. Donnelly has put in five years here and he richly deserves his good fortune.  The appointment means promotion in his profession and financially, and he is to be congratulated. 

Today's article involves my Grandfather Mervyn Donnelly and his brother Frederick Donnelly.  At the time of this article Mervyn would have been ten years old, while Fred would have been fourteen years old. Source: EMPIRE DAY IN THE DISTRICT. (1915, May 28). Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218451071 Transcript: SWEET BRIAR, Wednesday. Empire Day was celebrated here by the parents and residents at the Sweet Briar Public School.  The celebrations were the most successful that have been held here for years past in spite of the unfavorable weather.  Very little time was taken up in speeches and songs, but a few words appropriate to the occasion were addressed to the children, who sang a couple of patriotic songs, etc., and cheered our Sovereign, and the gallant King of the Belgians.  The rest of the day was given over to picnicking.  A friendly game of cricket was played between visitors...