Media: BOOK - paperback, 256 pages
Author: P. Rice
Year: 1993

2400 family tree names, 330 ilustrations

FOREWORD
As you read this fascinating story about the Rice family and our patriarch Thomas it will immediately arouse your interest. How did he and his family come to Australia and from where? When did they arrive and where did they settle? And perhaps the most difficult question, why did they come?

The Rice family story began in Wales during the dark and turbulent times of the ninth century when they fought mighty battles over the right to rule. The conflicts continued in one way or another until 1485 when Welsh born Henry VII came to the English throne. However, many ordinary folk were leaving Wales for the more peaceful English countryside. By the sixteen hundreds we find our ancestors in Buckinghamshire, where they lived at least three hundred years.

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the situation for people who were not landholders grew steadily worse. This was because the Enclosure Acts reduced the amount of common land available for their use. Concurrently the Industrial Revolution was changing working conditions often for the betterment of the wealthy and the degradation of their workers.

During the 1800s many people were leaving Britain to seek something better elsewhere. Among them were Thomas and his family. We cannot be sure why they came but it could have included a spirit of adventure and to seek a better way of life.

CONTENTS
Foreword
Church of St Michael and All Angels
Thomas & Jane Rice Family History Committee
Preface
Acknowledgements

Chapter
1. Welsh Nation Builders—The House of Dinefwr
2. Rices of Buckinghamshire
3. Settlement in South Australia
4. Thomas and Jane
5. Edwin
6. Mark
7. Ezra
8. Abel
9. Obadiah
10. Levi

Thomas’ nephews who migrated to Australia:
11. Joseph
12. John
13. James

Appendix
1. Last Will & Testament of Edwin Rice
2. Watch Australia Grow
3. Never Despise the Ag Labourer
4. Perc Rice Reminiscence

Bibliography
Index
Epilogue