Contents

Recovering forgotten lives that shaped New Zealand.

Today my focus is historical research, documenting the lives of remarkable New Zealanders whose stories have largely disappeared from the historical record. And where best to start than with your own family.

• NEVILLE HALE THORNTON | My transcription of the memoir written by my great-grandfather Neville Hale Thornton describing his early life as a French war hero of the Crimea and then his wanderings on the goldfields of colonial Australia.
• THE FABULOUS THORNTONS | The sequel to the story of Neville Hale Thornton after his arrival in New Zealand in 1866 and the story of his family of burlesque performers who entertained New Zealand through the late half of the 19th century.
• HERBERT CLAPHAM: THE MAN HISTORY FORGOT | He does not feature in any New Zealand history books, but in his lifetime Herbert Clapham was a colourful and influential character of his era; in many ways infamous and, at times, sensational.

• MORE STORIES TO COME