Do you know any Australians?

Okay, the title and the content may not align perfectly, however I was shocked when I found out that majority of Australians are not native/indigenous people of Australia. Majority of their ancestors were from Europe, and a great many were convicts from England. In 1800s, the first fleet of convicts arrived…gradually the aboriginal population started decreasing..

Other than the convicts there were the "10 pound poms".

Last week, I had a chat with a “Ten pound pom" from Australia. He was in his 70s.

I asked ''was you born and raised in Australia?"

The man replied "I was born in England and went to Australia in 1957."

I asked "how did you go to Australia?"

His reply "first, I applied and they did some health test, x-ray scan, I passed the tests.

I then paid £10 to cruise to Australia which took several weeks"

Editors note: I've met hundreds of Australians and have asked most of them about their ancestors and their background. Majority of them are a mix of “Irish” “Scottish” “English” “German” and some other European countries.

Once a couple from New South Wales, told me "most Australians' ancestors were criminals, if they were from England".

This sparked my curiosity and ever since I always ask Caucasian Australians these two questions:

- Were you born and raised in Australia?

- Where were your ancestors from?

The answer to the first question is usually "Yes"

However the answer to the second one always draws an interesting picture of their background.

"Where were your ancestors from?"

This question I also ask to the Americans from the United Stats, Canadians, New Zealanders and Australians of course, as their ancestors were all either travellers, explorers, convicts or even immigrants.

Next time, you may too ask these simple questions and hear for yourself…