A NEW book about the Thalaba area of Dungog has been published.
“Belonging In Thalaba: Settlers And Their Descendants 1845 – 1921” was written by Dr Narelle Borrott and was launched at an event at the Dungog Museum last Saturday.
The book details the stories of prominent farming families that settled in the Thalaba Parish Estate (now called Marshdale) in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Growing up in Sydney and living in Coffs Harbour, author Dr Borrott had a unique motivation in writing the book.
She is a descendent of Thomas Barnabus Yates.The Yates family were one of these founding families in Thalaba.
“I was studying a course with the Society Of Australian Genealogists learning how to use the land registry in research and I started to look at my Yates family,” Dr Borrott said.
“I then used my family in Thalaba as practice.
“I don’t think I had even heard of Dungog before this book!”
The launch was hosted by Dungog Historical Society, and members were enthusiastic about Dr Borrott’s research.
“Having someone interested in history, especially our history of the Dungog area, and in particular the Thalaba area, and willing to research and publish a book, is exciting,” said Dungog Historical Society President, Jan Lyon.
“It allows us to always have that information in the public domain for all to read.
“Books such as these matter because it keeps our history alive and it gives us belonging – especially for descendants.”
By Joseph RICHARDS
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