Paving the Way traces the author's family history, from England, Ireland, Prussia and Bavaria to the Colony of South Australia. The story commences with an adoption story, as the author searches the genetic origins of her deceased father, which spurs further research on the European pioneer ancestors of South Australia, who all arrived from 1837 to 1853.
This story includes Kavel's people, a group of Prussians who with the support of George Fife Angas, founder of the South Australia Company, fled religious persecution - although one ancestor (Schulz) was accused by Pastor Kauffman of leaving Europe for earthly fortune. They were heavily involved in establishing Lutheran Aboriginal Missions. It also follows pioneer Barossa Valley winemaker Johann Gramp, originally from Bavaria, who came to the Colony as an 18-year-old orphan, he first arrived in Kangaroo Island with the South Australia Company and later founded an empire. Upon further exploring the Gramp/Schulz family, a scandalous family rumour is discovered.
The story also traces the arrival of the Fahy family, which starts when Edmund Fahy and his two younger sisters (one only 10 years old) leave Clare, Ireland. He is sponsored by Edward Stirling to work in the mining town of Kapunda, whilst his sisters are sent to a relative in Mount Gambier, where Edmund's son becomes a pioneer of Moorak.
It also explores the adoptive 'White' family, who spent time in the far north of the state (Mt Serle) where there were strong tensions with local Aboriginal tribes, before returning to the city. G
The book also traces the famous Rumbelow family of Encounter Bay; known as fishermen, the lesser known Lomman family, pioneers of Paradise and Athelstone, and the Battams family, pioneers of Payneham, Norwood and Moorook, Riverland.
This family history also examines a family line who were pioneers in New Zealand.
The story is set in the social and historical context of the six generations which is spans, with vignettes on interesting characters. It reflects on the nature of families and social change, particularly for women, and the impacts of colonisation for Aboriginal people in South Australia.
Battams, Samantha: - Dr Samantha Battams is an Australian author specialising in non-fiction historical books. Her books combine meticulous research with compelling narrative to explore the social and historical forces shaping individuals and communities. With a PhD in Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts (Social Science, Honours in Sociology) she brings depth to the art of historical storytelling. Her earlier works include true crime histories 'The Secret Art of Poisoning: The True Crimes of Martha Needle' and 'The Rhynie Poisoning Case: The True Crimes of Alexander Newland Lee, ' which examined some of the most sensational criminal cases in Victorian and South Australia history, and the societies in which they occurred. She also wrote, with Les Parsons, 'The Red Devil: the Story of South Australian Pioneer Aviator Captain Harry Butler' (Wakefield Press), a biography of a community hero in the wake of WWI. Her latest book, Paving the Way, turns to family history, tracing pioneer ancestors from England, Ireland, Prussia and Bavaria to the colonies of South Australia and New Zealand between 1837 and 1859. Beginning with a search for her biological grandparents, the story unfolds across six generations and explores migration, social change, the lives of pioneering women, and the complex legacy of colonisation. When not researching history, she is an avid painter and walks her border collie along Adelaide beaches.
