RootsChat.Com

My 'Observer's Book of Horses and Ponies' (published about 1958) says of  the Australian Waler..."The foundation stock of the Waler was of Dutch and Spanish origin, with the oriental horses, the Arab and the Barb as the ultimate ancestors.   These original animals were small, and as the settlers had great need for riding horses and wanted the best, pure Arabs and English Thoroughbreds were imported.....It has been asserted with some justification that between Waterloo and the Crimea, Australia possessed probably the best saddle horse in the world, and during that period began to supply cavalry and artillery troop horses to India.  Racing, which first appeared in Ausralia in 1826, further helped to establish the Australian Horse, the breeding of which has spread in the natural course of time...but the name 'Waler' still applies to them all......The Waler has always been noted for jumping in his own country, high-humping competitions being a specialty at all shows......Australian horses are all shapes and sizes, including besides the Waler a draught-horse breed developed from three English strains - Clydesdale, Shire and Suffock Punch."   There is more, but I think the above covers the main points.  Hope it helps you.
Wendy in Western Australia.

What happened to the BROCKAS family in Sutton Coldfield?  I go back to CHARLES Brockas (Born November 1774, married Mary YATES in 1803.)  Their descendants include Charles Henry Brockas (born December 1821, married Ann DUTTON in 1846. ) A son; Thomas Brockas (born April 1856, married Caroline Flora LOWER in December 1880 in Coventry.)  At the time of Thomas's birth the family were living at Warren House, Sutton Coldfield and he had a brother William (b.1849).  Sisters: Ann (1847) and Fanny Moreton (1851.)  what happened to that line?  Did the World War's wipe them out?  Any advice?

My great Grand father was Edmund Fenwick, born 1853.  It seemed at first he was born in Hyde, Cheshire, but subsequent information suggests he might have been born in Lane Bottom, Micklethwaite, Bingley, Yorkshire.
If the Cheshire info is correct, his parents were Aaron Fenwick(1822) & Sarah Lee Tow(about 1828).
The family believe however that Bingley was the place of their roots, & the Cheshire information was a complete surprise.  Did they pop across the border quite frequently, just to confuse people like me?  Any suggestions for a befuddled great grand daughter from Western Australia?

Dear Peter,  I am delighted with the information you have been able to discover about my great grand father, Edmund Fenwick.  I gave you all the information I had and it was based on family 'hear-say.'  Not always reliable, but it was a start.  Now I have not only names, but places as well and that is a real thrill.  Also the reassurance of official records to back up my Family Tree records.
Sorry to have been so long responding, I have been away visiting grand children.  Your messages were an unexpected bonus when I returned!
Thank you  so much,
Wenyd in Western Australia