Have been researching my family history and concentrated on fnding the early pioneers who settled in the Wollombi, St. Albans area in mid 1800's.

Here are some of my findings:

Charles Burgess was born 20 September 1796 at Edington, Wiltshire and was baptized 20 Sepember 1804. They were a farming family and times were tough.
He was transported to Australia, having been charged with stealing potatoes and sentenced to seven years as a convict. He left behind a wife and new born daughter who died at three years, probably from starvation.
Leaving Spithead 22 May 1829 on the “Norfolk” (Master” Alex Grieg) and arrived on 27 August 1829 He was assigned to Mister Town of Richmond.
He obtained his certificate of freedom 27 May 1836 (36/0450)
In 1937 he was issued with a title deed for land at Cockfighter Creek LD V183722 1261837
The same year he married Mary Jane Casey at Sydney.
They had the following children: Leonard, Sarah, Ellen, Charles, Eveline, Alice, Herbert, Alia and Bertrum.
Mary Casey ( was a servant who was transported from Cork, Ireland on “Francis and Eliza” in 1815. Her trial was held at Cork City in March 1814. Mary died at Wollombi in 1869.

Charles Burgess then married Jane Brien in 1870 at Wollombi. They had another 10 children.

A newspaper report states: “On 4 July 1882, from F.C.Passeau of the Sydney Arcade, George St, Watch and Clock Maker, Jeweller and Optician, a member of the old Burgess family of Cockfighter Creek and Ellalong purchased “1 Silver hunting Waltham patent level Watch No 1. 625927 for the sum of thirty five pounds.
Thirty one years before this, Charles Burgess, the founder of the family, bought at auction sale at Wollombi, a forty acre piece of land on the Cockfighter for the sum of sixty pounds.
He and his sons bought some sixteen portions on the Cockfighter and in the Ellalong district. Charles Burgess died on 2 January 1903 at the age of 107 years.”
Charles Burgess daughter Evelyn May married Thomas John Sylvester 15.8.1906.
(From Landholders on South Arm of Wollombi Brook.)

Leonard Burgess (son of Charles) was born at Wollombi 14 June 1846 and baptized
15 April 1847 at Maitland.
He married Mary Jane Cooper (Mona) 14 June 1875 at Wollombi (R4450/1875).
Mary Jane b. 4 September 1857 at Greta, was the daughter of John Roles Cooer and Eliza E. Connelly.
Children of the marriage were: Robert John Burgess 28 October 1878