James Shepherd was born in 1877, in the Torres Strait Islands.
His great great grandmother was from Trinidad.
His grandfather was a pearl diver.
The warmth of the island waters was ideal to farm oysters.
James saw the industry changing and decided to leave for Australia.
He worked in railway construction.
Hot hard heavy work.
At age 17, he was employed by the Midland Railway Company
to help construct a line from Midland Junction to Walkaway,
connecting with the government line to Geraldton.
Later, James helped construct the Kalgoorlie line which opened in 1917.
James married Maisie Shepherd in 1905.
They had 4 children:
James b. 1907
John b. 1909
Ernest b. 1910
Molly b. 1913.
His great great grandmother was from Trinidad.
His grandfather was a pearl diver.
The warmth of the island waters was ideal to farm oysters.
James saw the industry changing and decided to leave for Australia.
He worked in railway construction.
Hot hard heavy work.
At age 17, he was employed by the Midland Railway Company
to help construct a line from Midland Junction to Walkaway,
connecting with the government line to Geraldton.
Later, James helped construct the Kalgoorlie line which opened in 1917.
James married Maisie Shepherd in 1905.
They had 4 children:
James b. 1907
John b. 1909
Ernest b. 1910
Molly b. 1913.
For reflection ...
James' family were traditional pearl divers.
How does the desire to make money, e.g. through oyster farms,
destroy local economies and communities?
James' family were traditional pearl divers.
How does the desire to make money, e.g. through oyster farms,
destroy local economies and communities?