by John Meyers with Honor Auchinleck
In bygone eras, families often kept track of significant events by recording them in the front pages of a book such as a Bible. In time, the Bible would become a reference source for the family history, and in turn an heirloom.
Below are some extracts from the Chauvel Bible showing the dates, places and key figures in events such as births and christenings. The Bible came into the hands of John Meyers at the Maryborough Military and Colonial History Museum in Queensland (pictured right) – he found it in a second-hand shop in Ashgrove in Brisbane.
Charles Henry Edward Chauvel born at Bangalore India 16th October 1833 married on Jan 22nd 186 ? Fanny Ada Mary James born at Newtown N.S.W. 13th October 1842
Charles Arthur Cameron Chauvel born at Sterling Cottage McLeay Street Sydney N.S.W. 24th Aug ? 1863. Christened by Revd ? Hayden 12th December 1863 at St Johns Church Sydney
Henry George Chauvel born at Tabulam Clarence River N.S.W. 18th April 1865. Christened by the Rev G.C. ? Selwyn at Grafton on the 21st September 1865. Sponsors, Arthur B.J. Chauvel, George Hart and M.S. Emily Chauvel
Sponsors to first born. Charles G.T. Chauvel, H.K. James and Leonora M James
Amy Lilian Marianna Chauvel born at Tabulam Clarence River N.S.W. 16th March 1867. Christened by the Rev T.H. Shaw at Tabulam on the 30th June 1867. Sponsors, William R. John? Marianna Chauvel & Minna T. James
James Allan Chauvel born at Tabulam Clarence River N.S.W. 28th September 1868. Christened by Rev. T.H. Shaw at Tabulam on the (blank) 1868. Sponsors, Henry Barnes, J.L. Cameron and Helen Sophia James
Percy Bannatyne Chauvel, born at Tabulam April 4th 1871. Christened by Rev. Farrar. Sponsors, George Close, Alice C. Hill
Gertrude Marianna ? Chauvel, born Edgecliffe House, Double Bay, Sydney Oct 14th 1877 (1871). Christened by Rev ? at St ? Church, ? Point. Sponsors, Hon. E.D.S. Ogilvie M.L.C. Minna T. James & Marianna Cameron
