~14th December 2005 ~  

MEETING DATES 2005 / 2006

INFORMATION

SEASONS GREETINGS

Michelle & the library staff would like to extend our best wishes to members of the group over the festive season. Note the Hawkesbury Central Library will be closed from 24th to 27th Dec and 31st Dec to 2nd Jan 2005. The 28th to 30th Dec the library will only be opened from 9am to 5pm & Richmond 9.30am to 5pm for this period.

NEXT MEETING

Remember there is no meeting in January 2006, the next meeting will take place on the Wednesday 8th February 2006.

AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE MAGAZINE - NEW MAGAZINE 

A new magazine called "Australian Heritage" is now on the market. Michelle has leaflets for person's interested, otherwise check out the website at www.heritageaustralia.com.au or check out a copy in the newsagents. The magazine retails for $7.50 or Yearly Subscriptions are available are currently available for $28. Postal Address is Box 84, Hampton, Vic 3188. e first edition has contents such as :

Blue Mountains Tracks
Governor Phillip and a man named Bennelong 
Our earliest Gardeners: the Macarthurs of Elizabeth Farm & Camden Park 
When Copper Was King 
Macleays of Elizabeth Bay House 
Love Letters From Antarctica John Glover - amiable artist 
Home of the Rivers 
His Majesty's Theatre of triumph and disaster

CHRISTMAS SALE FOR BDM TRANSCRIPTIONS

Marilyn Rowan has advised that they are having their annual Christmas sale with 10% off all NSW BDM transcription orders until 24 Dec 2005. With access to deaths up to 1974 & marriages up to 1954 now available, and 10% off during the sale, there has never been a better time to order NSW BDM transcriptions through www.transcriptions.com.au For more information phone 02 9543 8156, email marilynr@australis.net.au Or visit the website www.transcriptions.com.au 

BLIGH's NOTEBOOK

The original notebook that William Bligh of HMS Bounty used to record the events of his epic journey in an open boat across the western Pacific to Timor in 1789 has now been digitised by the National Library. Bligh based all his subsequent narratives about the mutiny and the voyage from present-day Tonga to Timor on the contents of the notebook which the Library has held since its purchase at auction in the UK in 1976. Other than a transcription and facsimile of the notebook and the list of mutineers, edited by John Bach and published by Allen and Unwin and the National Library in 1987, this digitisation is the only work derived from the original manuscript. Bligh's notes detail the voyage in the Bounty's launch from when he and members of the crew loyal to him-put off the ship by the mutineers led by Bligh's second-in-command, Fletcher Christian-sailed to nearby Tofua and then more than 3500 nautical miles to Timor in less than seven weeks. Jennifer Lloyd from the Library's preservation section describes the preparation of the notebook for digitisation as a "major undertaking". Check it out at : http://nla.gov.au/nla.ms-ms5393 

LOCAL STUDIES ITEMS

To check the Library catalogue online go to http://catalogue.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/amlibweb/

RESEARCH WIDELY

It is particularly useful when undertaking any research to read widely about a subject and delve into a range of material. Family History is no different and there are a wide range of subjects that family historians are interested in as a result of their research.
Check the catalogue at http://catalogue.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/amlibweb/ for more information. Lending items can be reserved online (if you are a member and have pin) If you would like a pin number see library staff or ring 4560-4460. The following items may be of interest :-

Secret River by Kate Grenville (novel based on the life of Solomon Wiseman) F GREE

SURFING THE INTERNET**. SITES FOR FAMILY HISTORIANS 

Members with internet access should check out the following interesting sites. The Library has free access to the internet, contact 4560 4460 for bookings at Windsor & 4578 2002 for Richmond bookings.

Naval & Military Press online (Database for WWI casualties - user pay ~ www.military-genealogy.com

Ships List (Australia) ~ http://www.ozgenonline.com/

An Account of the English Colony by Collins - index to nasmes ~ http://home.primus.com.au/bonzaideas/EarlyNSW.htm

Surname Helper ~ http://surhelp.rootsweb.com/srchall.html

~ Let us know of sites, that you have tried with (or without) success ~