Bibliography

 Whilst 'Along the Grain - the Epic Tale of the Binstead Family' contains detailed references, I decided not to include a bibliography to save some of the print cost for purchasers.

For those people who have bought the book, and want more detail of the sources referenced in it, please download a copy of the Bibliography here ->

Bibliography

Top 20 on Amazon Best Seller list for Australian History!!!

 

Amazing to see 'Along the Grain - the Epic Tale of the Binstead Family' hit the top 20 of Australian History books on Amazon! Sure it was only for a short while, but what a rush!

This epic story of the Binstead family starts in Sussex England in 1830, when Arthur and George Binstead participate in the Swing Riots. They were transported to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) and this book takes you through that experience. But it also tells you what happened to the family after they got their full pardons. They never returned to England, but forged new stories in Penrith, Brisbane, Ipswich and Coomera. The Binsteads were some of the first purchasers of land in the new settlement in Brisbane. Arthur's son John and his wife Ellen then moved to Ipswich, where they were pub licensees. John and Ellen's son Arthur (there are 9 Arthur Binsteads in this tale!!) then moved to Coomera where he drove bullocks to move timber from the rough scrub.

It's a great story and involves a lot more than just a recitation of dates of birth, marriage and death. We know a lot about the Binstead family because of the significance of the Swing Riots and their convict experience. 

A great book for Binstead descendants, but also for anyone who is interested in the lived experience of these people both as convicts and free citizens.

Family History of the Binsteads

 

"Along the Grain - The Epic Tale of our Binstead Line" is a detailed family history of the Binstead family starting from Arthur Binstead born in 1690 in Boshum, Sussex, England and ending with Harriet 'Doll' Binstead who was born in 1877 in Coomera, Australia. 'Doll' Binstead was my great grandmother and when she died in 1939, it marked the end of our part of the Binstead line.

It is a rollicking tale that includes three family members who were transported as convicts, and Binsteads who were pioneer settlers in Brisbane, Ipswich and Coomera. It includes at least 9 Arthur Binsteads!

The book is written as readable history, rather than the usual lists of names, dates of births, marriages and deaths (although it does include that detail too!). I guarantee that you will enjoy reading this epic story. It also contains extracts from historical documents, newspaper reports and photographs (some of which are part of the personal collection handed down to me). The book is fully referenced with over 160 endnotes, so that anyone can follow the trail. It is the result of 2 years of research.

I am fortunate to have been able to build on earlier work done by historians, and also to correct some mistakes (remember how many Arthur Binsteads there are!!)

The book is over 80 pages long! 

It is available to order in high quality hardback format from Amazon. The approximate cost is $45 (depending on the exchange rate at the time) plus postage. This is the print cost and does not include any profit.

It can be ordered directly from here. 

Amazon

Please contact me at binsteadbook@gmail.com if you have any queries.

Paul Sofronoff

February 2026