My Family History

My passion for family history began over forty years ago when my parents were handed the original life story of my great-great-grandfather, Benjamin Smith. His father, Benjamin, was transported to Tasmania in 1842 for seven years after being convicted of stealing from his employer. The family sailed from England on the William Jardine in 1849, when they reunited with Benjamin and settled in the Bothwell district of the Central Highlands. Several expeditions were made from Victoria to Tasmania to follow in the footsteps of the Smith family. This eventually led to me hosting the Smith Family Reunion on Benjamin Smith senior's 199th birthday at the Bothwell Town Hall on 17 March 2007; a day that will live in my memory forever.

Slowly I started to dig deeper into all my ancestors’ lives with a fascination that continues to grow. There are many hurdles to still overcome and many more unanswered questions that I may never be able to resolve.

This website is a continual work in progress and I would love to hear from you if you have any connections with people in my family tree.

Jennie Chapman (Jennifer Anne Houston)