Michael Braund in Canberra has written a book, From Bideford to Armidale and beyond: a tale of the Braund family. It is to be launched on Monday 2 December at the Regional Archives & Heritage Centre, University of New England in Armidale, Australia. Invitations have been sent out and it is expected that family members will be present, along with representatives of such organisations as the Archives, the Armidale library, the New England Regional Art Museum, St. Peter's cathedral, the Armidale Family History Group, the Presbyterian Ladies' College and the Armidale fire brigade.
Because some of the Armidale Braunds moved to Sydney in the early 1900s some family members living in Sydney will be invited to a 'launch' later in December. It is hoped to secure a room at Parliament House for the 'launch' for this is where the idea of the book was born. Early in 2015, a few Braund family members attended an exhibition in the NSW Parliament in Sydney. The exhibition was entitled Politics and Sacrifice. NSW Parliament and the Anzacs, and featured photographs and other mementos of two Members of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales who died in the First World War. They were Sgt. E.R. Larkin and Lt. Col. G.F. Braund. George Frederick Braund was an Armidale man and was Liberal Member for Armidale. After the 2015 exhibition, over refreshments in a local café, some of the family members from Armidale asked Michael to write a book about their family. He did, and some nine years later, here is his book. It describes the pioneer family who came out from Devon in 1881, the next generation and the generation after that, who settled and developed as a family dynasty in Australia.
A third 'launch' will be held in Canberra, probably at the end of December, to accommodate family (including Michael’s brother, Richard, and his wife Rosemary, who will be visiting from England) and friends here.
So far, 36 copies have been ordered. The book is a hefty 600+ pages, containing historical accounts carefully referenced, newspaper articles, photos, personal reminiscences, maps and of course detailed family trees.
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