This is a collection of over forty stories from the family history of Glenn Martin. They span five generations, from the present back to the early 1800s. The people are not famous, or public leaders or wealthy, but they lived extraordinary lives. The early generations were the ones that forsook their homeland in the British Isles to come to Australia – although three did not do so voluntarily; they were convicts. The subsequent generations did their best to re-establish themselves and their families in Australia. For the most part they were artisans with a sense of honour. Their family lives were often tumultuous, difficult and sad, but their stories are inspiring, touching, and full of surprises. What shines through is something like the universal spirit of humanity.