Notes from the TARDIS

Notes from the TARDIS


Genealogy is a kind of time travel. These are my research reflections, discoveries, and wandering thoughts as I travel through the lives and stories of people from the past—sometimes with tea, sometimes with tears, and always with curiosity.

  • How Ask Grandma Kylie Uses Open Data
    One of the unique features of the Ask Grandma Kylie chatbot is that it uses open data from data.sa.gov.au. So what is open data? Open data is information made freely available by governments and organisations for anyone to use, reuse, and share. In South Australia, data.sa.gov.au is the central website where this information is published.…
  • A Complicated Legacy: Researching Blanka Buring
    When I began researching my cousin Blanka Buring, I hoped to shine a light on her work in social welfare and child protection. She was active in New South Wales during the mid-20th century — a time when social work was evolving and women like Blanka were stepping into roles that shaped policy and care.…
  • Two Projects Close to My Heart
    Over the years, I’ve drawn on the work of incredible researchers and record-keepers who made it their mission to preserve the ships and passenger lists of those who came to South Australia. Diane Cummings, who compiled the extraordinary Bound For South Australia website, preserving countless shipping records with care and precision. Sue and Gery Swiggum,…
  • From Record To Story With Grandma Kylie
    How do you turn dry records into real family stories?Watch me turn two chatbot answers into a mini narrative about a South Australian pioneer.Try it yourself — it’s free, it’s local, and it’s built for people curious about South Aussie history. Press play to watch the video. www.askgrandmakylie.com
  • How to Use TikTok Without the App
    No downloads, no dramas. Did you know you don’t have to download the TikTok app to watch videos or even follow your favourite creators (like me!)? If you’re more comfortable using your computer or don’t want another app on your phone, you can still enjoy all the fun in your web browser. Here’s how: 💻…