Valerie Craigie’s reunion story
My name is Valerie Craigie and I am a Kalkadoon woman from Mount Isa in North West Queensland, where I grew up.
I was lucky I knew my Paternal and Maternal Grandparents. I also knew my Great Grandparents on my Mother’s side. My Kalkadoon Grandfather talked a lot about his family, traditions, culture and the removal of his family, these were my bed time stories, but I can’t recall my other Grandparents talking to me about their lives so I have always had a lot of questions later on. I did try to do some research but was frustrated with the lack of information each time. I wanted to know more about my Paternal Grandmother Topsy Mary Craigie, her traditional name was Pinthi and I wanted to know about my Maternal Great Grandmother Annie Ah Fat. I knew bits and pieces but wanted to see any official document that Government or Archives may have had. I never thought to contact Link- Up (Qld) for assistance as I believed LinkUp only dealt with connecting Stolen Generation clients and didn’t realise that it is for their descendants also.
I became a client of Link- Up (Qld) after speaking to staff on one of their trips to Mount Isa. My research was delivered quite quickly in 2019 by Joshua Williams and a graveside visit was planned.
My information was obtained through extensive research by Link-Up (Qld)’s professional researchers, sifting through government documents, National Archives and various recorded writings. I now have a folder with lots and lots of information about my family, which I will treasure and pass down to the next generations.
The surprise for me was how much information came up about my Chinese Grandfathers, Charlie Tim See Foo and Tommy Ah Fat. I now know that Charlie Tim See Foo was also known as Charlie Tim See Too and his Mother was Lizzie See Too. All were from Canton China.
On my reunion day I was in the company of Joshua Williams and Sloane Stallan from Link-Up (Qld) and my husband Glynn Johnston. The reunion consisted of a visit to the grave site of my Grandparents in Cloncurry and a visit to the Cloncurry Chinese Cemetery where my Chinese Grandfathers were laid to rest. It was a special day much more than a graveside reunion. For me it was a special day of restoring family links. This consisted of me taking a whole day of acknowledging my amazing Ancestors, sending them thoughts and feelings of love. I was thinking of the challenges and difficulties they faced and overcome.
I felt a lot of love for my family and could not help feeling that I was very lucky to belong to such wonderful people.
I believe my Ancestors are my Guardians and I have called on them when I have been in need. This family information will provide an opportunity for my future generations to connect to me and my Grandparents when I’m gone. Link-Up (Qld) has helped fill in a lot of gaps in my family tree and I can now build on this knowledge for my future generations.
Words cannot describe how much I appreciate all the work and effort that was involved in compiling my family research and the care in which my information was given to me. I want to thank Link- Up QLD staff Joshua Thompson, Joshua Williams and Sloane Stallan for the care, comfort and friendship that was shown to me throughout my journey.
Valerie Craigie
Published December 2020.