Mark Bickley’s Family History at the State Records Office: In the Mid North region of South Australia

For much of my early life I never thought much about the past. The Bickley clan was born and raised in the Spencer Gulf town of Port Pirie. What more was there to know? If it was good enough for mum and dad it was good enough for me. That’s where I played my junior footy and later moved on to bigger things with the Crows.

But as the years roll on the connection with your home town and your family's story means a lot more. It did for me and a growing interest in the Bickley story brought me to the State Records of South Australia. On any day you'll find people pouring over old Government Gazettes tracking down all kinds of yarns.

People like Colin Campbell who's in search of his family history. So far it's taken him to the German immigrants who settled the Barossa.

“In some ways knowing where you've come from and who's there helps you understand where you're going. And it's also an addiction I think.” Said Colin.

And I'm certainly hooked too. I'd heard of a family connection stretching back to a Yorkshire immigrant in the 1840s. With a name and a few dates I got an appointment with State Records researcher, Sarah Phillips who was able to follow every branch of the Bickley family tree.

They say the past is a foreign country and mine brought me to a part of the State of which I knew very little - the Riverton railway station in South Australia’s mid-north. But the research staff at State Records revealed the station’s construction, along with the railway line, was due, in part to the efforts of a distant ancestor, John Jubb Horner.

He was my great great grandfather. Several years after arriving on the vessel, The Competitor, John Jubb settled in the picturesque Gilbert Valley. He was the first PostMaster of the district and his early petition to the Governor pushed for a railway to be built to this part of South Australia.

“As we know the railway line did actually go up to Riverton so it did actually work.”

John Jubb Horner's petition stressed the need for a railway because this part of the mid-north was booming thanks to the nearby Burrra mine and the growing sheep and cattle industry. John Jubb Horner also built the local flourmill and later his son Arthur, my great uncle built a cottage, joined the Riverton Volunteer Rifles and later became StationMaster at Riverton. Not that all his report cards from his employers were all that flattering. Sarah read a passage from the files.

“If similar negligence comes under my notice you will also be punished for neglective duty.”

Arthur Horner did finally get his act together and later became the stationmaster in Adelaide. Soon trains would make their way to a town, which owes its name to his dad and my great great grandfather John Jubb Horner. It was he who coined the name Rivertown because of its proximity to the pretty Gilbert River. He declined a friend's attempts to have it named after himself.

“He spoke to John Jubb and suggested that it become Horner Town. And John Jubb declined that accolade.” Explained Sarah.

For me it's been fascinating journey into the past and it could be for you. You can contact State Records at Gepps Cross or in the city. Just call 8226 7750. The Genealogy and Heraldry Society and the State Library are also good starting points.

State Records
115 Cavan Road
Gepps Cross
Mon - Wed
10am to 4pm Thurs 11am - 8pm
Contact 8226 7750