SA HISTORY EVENT - Author talk with Dr Samantha Battams 'Paving the Way'
Join Dr Samantha Battams as she explores the trailblazing women who shaped SA’s history, drawing from her book "Paving the Way.”
Paving the Way traces the author’s family history, from England, Ireland, Prussia and Bavaria to the Colony of South Australia. The story commences with an adoption story, as the author searches the genetic origins of her deceased father, which spurs further research on the European pioneer ancestors of South Australia, who all arrived from 1837 to 1853.
This story includes Kavel’s people, a group of Prussians who with the support of George Fife Angas, founder of the South Australia Company, fled religious persecution – although one ancestor (Schulz) was accused by Pastor Kauffman of leaving Europe for earthly fortune. They were heavily involved in establishing Lutheran Aboriginal Missions. It also follows pioneer Barossa Valley winemaker Johann Gramp, originally from Bavaria, who came to the Colony as an 18-year-old orphan, he first arrived in Kangaroo Island with the South Australia Company and later founded an empire. Upon further exploring the Gramp/Schulz family, a scandalous family rumour is discovered.
The story also traces the arrival of the Fahy family, which starts when Edmund Fahy and his two younger sisters (one only 10 years old) leave Clare, Ireland. He is sponsored by Edward Stirling to work in the mining town of Kapunda, whilst his sisters are sent to a relative in Mount Gambier, where Edmund’s son becomes a pioneer of Moorak.
It also explores the adoptive ‘White’ family, who spent time in the far north of the state (Mt Serle) where there were strong tensions with local Aboriginal tribes, before returning to the city. Grandfather White was the first person to return to Europe via the 6th Field Artillery Brigade in the First World War, and upon his return to Australia had soldier settler land at Minnipa on the Eyre Peninsula.
The book also traces the famous Rumbelow family of Encounter Bay; known as fishermen, they also commenced the first tourist operations in the area. The book also includes the lesser known Lomman family, pioneers of Paradise and Athelstone, and the Battams family, pioneers of Payneham, Norwood and Moorook, Riverland. Daniel Battams struck gold on the Victorian goldfields and was a key person in the establishment of Adelaide but suffered mixed fortunes.
This family history also examines a family line who were pioneers in New Zealand – including Elizabeth Heslop who married Master Mariner Captain Charles Miller but left him and became a bigamist when she married her second husband who she emigrated with to Victoria. He soon becomes well-known in Melbourne through his scandals which are reported on in the daily newspapers. But whilst this story was being written and DNA technology improved, another secret is revealed and ancestors who for many generations were thought to be biological ancestors were clearly not.
The story is set in the social and historical context of the six generations which is spans, with vignettes on interesting characters. It reflects on the nature of families and social change, particularly for women, and the impacts of colonisation for Aboriginal people in South Australia.
Free Event.
Bookings are essential.
Part of SA History Festival.
AUTHOR BIO
Dr Samantha Battams is an Adjunct Associate Professor and has been a university lecturer, researcher, community development worker, advocate, policy professional and management consultant. Samantha resides in Adelaide, is widely travelled and has lived and worked in Geneva, Switzerland in global health. She has published academic articles and book chapters in the fields of public health and global health, social policy and sociology. She has a passion for history and writing and has written four books (Paving the Way; The Secret Art of Poisoning: The True Crimes of Martha Needle, The Richmond Poisoner 2019; The Rhynie Poisoning Case: The True Crimes of Alexander Newland Lee 2021; and with Les Parsons, The Red Devil: The Story of South Australian Pioneer Aviator Captain Harry Butler, 2019). She is convenor of Sisters in Crime SA Chapter, a national group of women crime writers.
samanthabattams@gmail.com
Join Dr Samantha Battams as she explores the trailblazing women who shaped SA’s history, drawing from her book "Paving the Way.”
Paving the Way traces the author’s family history, from England, Ireland, Prussia and Bavaria to the Colony of South Australia. The story commences with an adoption story, as the author searches the genetic origins of her deceased father, which spurs further research on the European pioneer ancestors of South Australia, who all arrived from 1837 to 1853.
This story includes Kavel’s people, a group of Prussians who with the support of George Fife Angas, founder of the South Australia Company, fled religious persecution – although one ancestor (Schulz) was accused by Pastor Kauffman of leaving Europe for earthly fortune. They were heavily involved in establishing Lutheran Aboriginal Missions. It also follows pioneer Barossa Valley winemaker Johann Gramp, originally from Bavaria, who came to the Colony as an 18-year-old orphan, he first arrived in Kangaroo Island with the South Australia Company and later founded an empire. Upon further exploring the Gramp/Schulz family, a scandalous family rumour is discovered.
The story also traces the arrival of the Fahy family, which starts when Edmund Fahy and his two younger sisters (one only 10 years old) leave Clare, Ireland. He is sponsored by Edward Stirling to work in the mining town of Kapunda, whilst his sisters are sent to a relative in Mount Gambier, where Edmund’s son becomes a pioneer of Moorak.
It also explores the adoptive ‘White’ family, who spent time in the far north of the state (Mt Serle) where there were strong tensions with local Aboriginal tribes, before returning to the city. Grandfather White was the first person to return to Europe via the 6th Field Artillery Brigade in the First World War, and upon his return to Australia had soldier settler land at Minnipa on the Eyre Peninsula.
The book also traces the famous Rumbelow family of Encounter Bay; known as fishermen, they also commenced the first tourist operations in the area. The book also includes the lesser known Lomman family, pioneers of Paradise and Athelstone, and the Battams family, pioneers of Payneham, Norwood and Moorook, Riverland. Daniel Battams struck gold on the Victorian goldfields and was a key person in the establishment of Adelaide but suffered mixed fortunes.
This family history also examines a family line who were pioneers in New Zealand – including Elizabeth Heslop who married Master Mariner Captain Charles Miller but left him and became a bigamist when she married her second husband who she emigrated with to Victoria. He soon becomes well-known in Melbourne through his scandals which are reported on in the daily newspapers. But whilst this story was being written and DNA technology improved, another secret is revealed and ancestors who for many generations were thought to be biological ancestors were clearly not.
The story is set in the social and historical context of the six generations which is spans, with vignettes on interesting characters. It reflects on the nature of families and social change, particularly for women, and the impacts of colonisation for Aboriginal people in South Australia.
Free Event.
Bookings are essential.
Part of SA History Festival.
AUTHOR BIO
Dr Samantha Battams is an Adjunct Associate Professor and has been a university lecturer, researcher, community development worker, advocate, policy professional and management consultant. Samantha resides in Adelaide, is widely travelled and has lived and worked in Geneva, Switzerland in global health. She has published academic articles and book chapters in the fields of public health and global health, social policy and sociology. She has a passion for history and writing and has written four books (Paving the Way; The Secret Art of Poisoning: The True Crimes of Martha Needle, The Richmond Poisoner 2019; The Rhynie Poisoning Case: The True Crimes of Alexander Newland Lee 2021; and with Les Parsons, The Red Devil: The Story of South Australian Pioneer Aviator Captain Harry Butler, 2019). She is convenor of Sisters in Crime SA Chapter, a national group of women crime writers.
samanthabattams@gmail.com
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Highlights
- 1 hour
- In-person
Location
Ngutungka Henley
378 Seaview Road
Henley Beach, SA 5022
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