Recipe For Murder - Sydney thallium murders in 1940-50s

Recipe For Murder, the winner of the NSW Premier's History Award is playing again tonight, Thursday April 5th, 9.30pm on ABC1

A brilliant documentary that tells the true story of three Sydney women who poisoned their way into the pages of the city’s newspapers back in the 1940s and 50s. We'll be watching!


Recipe For Murder - 90 sec Teaser from Sonia Bible on Vimeo.

ISSUE # 9 COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

The entries have gone into the draw and the winners are! Congratulations to:

[1] A Very Short War, from Madman Entertainment 

1. Kerryn Dixon-Ward, Parkdale VIC
2. David McAndrew, Alexander Heights WA
3. John Sparrow, Eumundi QLD
4. Elizabeth Pardy, Cootamundra NSW
5. Roslyn Allan, Paddington NSW

[2] Who’s Been Sleeping In My House? from ABC TV

1. Glenys Hatch, Marangaroo WA
2. Robert Hocking, Abbotsford VIC
3. Daniel Anderson, Canadian VIC
4. Julie Regan, Inverell NSW
5. John Sutton, Bathurst NSW

Thanks to our amazing supporters - ABC TV, Madman Entertainment and CONTI Bros Films - for making our Issue 9 giveaways possible!

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Our Issue # 9 giveaways! Win one of 10 DVDs!

[1]  A Very Short War - Madman Entertainment & CONTI Bros Films

Cliff Carpenter was a pioneer Australian aviator, a young man who lost his life in a Sunderland aircraft over the skies of Norway on the first day of the German invasion. Through his letters home we are exposed to a fascinating and intriguing insight into the spirit of the times as World War II beckoned. A Very Short War follows Cliff’s nephew as he unravels the story of an uncle who made the ultimate sacrifice so far from home. The DVD also features an extended interview with Nancy Bird-Walton and a slide-show of the construction of Cliff’s homebuilt aeroplane. Read more of his story on page 42 of Inside History Issue 9; Mar-Apr 2012 - our ANZAC edition.

We have five copies of A Very Short War, valued at A$24.95 each, to give away. To enter the draw, simply tell us the answer to the following question:

• Q. What type of plane was Cliff flying in over Norway?

Send your name and contact details to Inside History, A Very Short War Giveaway, PO Box 406 Erskineville NSW 2043 or email cass@insidehistory.com.au by 5pm, April 29, 2012.

[2]  Who’s Been Sleeping In My House?  ABC TV

We loved the series on ABC recently, but if you missed  it now’s your chance to fall in love with house history!

Journey around Australia with archaeologist Adam Ford as he delves into public records, cellars and even mangroves to uncover the real story of beloved family homes in  Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland. Each of the eight episodes is a fascinating detective story  — a combination of Time Team + Grand Designs + Who  Do You Think You Are? that will have you wanting more!

ABCTV is giving Inside History readers the chance to win one of five DVDs of Who’s Been Sleeping In My House?, worth $19.95 each. To enter, simply tell us the answer to the following question:

• Q. How many episodes are there in the series?

Send your name and contact details to Inside History, ABCTV Giveaway, PO Box 406 Erskineville NSW 2043 or email cass@insidehistory.com.au by 5pm, April 29, 2012.

Thanks to our amazing supporters - ABC TV, Madman Entertainment and CONTI Bros Films - for making our Issue 9 giveaways possible!

Who's Been Sleeping In My House :: Starts Monday, Nov 21

Have you considered tracing the family history of your home? Who’s Been Sleeping In My House?, is a wonderful new series from the ABC that does just that. Archaeologist and presenter Adam Ford uses the tools of his trade – public records and a good spade – to discover the histories of eight houses around Australia, and the generations of families who've called them home. Think Time Team + Grand Designs rolled into one show! In the first episode, Ford travels to the heart of Ballarat in Victoria. Here, he tells Inside History why he loves digging up the past.

Inside History Magazine: It’s fascinating to see where the trail of clues leads you once you start digging. What is your highlight from the series?

Adam Ford: One of the great things about this show is that I get to do what I do! That is - go on an adventure into the past, which I have done for the past 20 years in various parts of the world. While that sounds a bit romantic, the past is (to paraphrase L.P. Hartley) a foreign country and to explore it is to go on an adventure. The highlight of this show is that the past histories of the houses are completely unknown and I get to dig them out of the records and, in some cases, the buildings themselves.

IHM: It must have been rewarding to discover the story of the 1860s dining room in episode 1 (airing Monday, November 21, 8pm).

Adam Ford: The question of the dining room was really unusual and I wasn’t certain that we were going to find the answer so, yes it was very satisfying. More satisfying and rewarding was being able to reveal the histories of the houses to the owners. In every case they were amazed and quite moved by the stories.

IHM: How and why did you choose these eight houses for the series?

Adam Ford: In a way the houses chose us. We had a look at a lot of places but these eight stood out. Not only are they beautiful, but also all had a fascinating story to tell.

IHM: What’s the first thing someone should do when researching their house?

Adam Ford: Well apart from dropping us a line - www.abc.net.au/tv/whosbeensleeping - the first port of call should be those champions of history keeping, the local libraries and local historical societies. Not only will they be able to point you in the right direction, they will probably provide you with the right questions to ask to get you moving.

IHM: Is there any hidden history about your own home in Victoria, that you’re wanting to dig up?

Adam Ford: Unfortunately not. My house was built in the 1980s – it’s a beautiful mud brick barn of a place but not very old. Mind you, we are bringing up our two daughters in it so we are creating history every day.

Who’s Been Sleeping In My House? starts, November 21 at 8pm on ABC1.



Related stories: Find out how to research the history of your house in issue 5 of Inside History. Go online to read here.