~ 11th July 2007 ~  

MEETING DATES 2007

Meeting held 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10am in the Tebbutt Room, Windsor Library

INFORMATION

IMMIGRATION BRIDGE AUSTRALIA

The Immigration Bridge Australia is a community project established to "commemorate the contributions of all the people who have settled in Australia since 1788. Names of people as well as stories of migration will be engraved on a magnificent footbridge across Lake Burley Griffin in our nation's capital. For more information see the website at  http://www.immigrationbridge.com.au 

NOTE EXCURSION TO STATE RECORDS

On Wednesday 12 September, Hawkesbury Family History Group will be visiting State Records at Kingswood. There will not be a normal meeting held on this day, due to the excursion. See attached leaflet for more information.

BLUE MOUNTAINS FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC SEMINAR - Sat 28 July 2007

To be held on Saturday, 28th July 2007 at Baptist Church Hall, 313 Macquarie Road, Springwood Cost $25 from 9am - 5pm Speakers are Perry McIntyre, Pauline Kettle, Pat Gordon & Dr Carol Liston. To register send name, address & $25 payment to BMFHS, PO Box 97, Springwood 2777

STUBBS FAMILY REUNION

Descendants of William and Sarah Stubbs are invited to attend a family reunion on Saturday 27 October 2007 at Ebenezer Church, Coromandel Road Ebenezer from 9.30am. BYO picnic lunch, folding chairs etc. Enquiries to Coralie Hird cdhird@optusnet.com.au or phone 02 9401-0402

MITCHELL LIBRARY - CLOSURES

There will be a temporary closure of the Mitchell Library Reading Room from Monday 16 to Tuesday 31 July for minor refurbishment. The library staff apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The enhanced Mitchell Library Reading Room will open on Wednesday 1 August to coincide with the new opening hours. If you have any questions, please contact  the library by phone on 02 9273 1414. The new hours will commence on the 1st August 2007. The State Reference Library & Mitchell Library are open Mon-Thur 9am-8pm; Sat 10am-5pm. The reference Library is open Sun 10am-5pm & the Mitchell is closed on Sundays.

ENQUIRY - THOMAS LAYCOCK, QUARTERMASTER NSW CORP

The following researcher is keen to make contact with other descendants or researchers, working on Thomas Laycock b 1756 England - d 1809 Sydney. She has recently located information from National Archives UK that prior to joining the NSW Corp he was a Sergent in the 2nd Horse Grenadier Guards for 11 years, they were disbanded during a re-shuffle of all the Horse Guards regiments and Thomas was discharged aged 32 years on 14.6.1788. The document records Thomas was born Kingston, Surrey & not Yorkshire or Bristol as many believe. Fae would like to hear of any proof that Thomas was from Yorkshire or Bristol, or the son of a Reverend or any other relevant  information & is happy to share any information. Contact Fae Folkes  Vincent.1948@gmail.com

"How I got started on family history?"  - from member Ena Norris

My interest in family tree came about by accident . We, my husband John, and I were  visiting my relatives in Grafton in the late 1970s and my cousin’s wife asked me could I tell her about her husband’s family as they wouldn’t tell her anything. I replied that I would  see what I could find out.  (Famous last words). When we came home I tried to get information from my mother but it was difficult as she was in a nursing home and her memory was confused. Oh, how I wish I had become involved a few years earlier as she would have been a wonderful source. My father had already passed away so that made it a little harder.  One of the first things we were told about was a book titled "The Forgotten Valley", History of the Macdonald Valley and St. Albans. I read it and started to follow the Bailey family only to discover it was the wrong one. Also the Fernance family was incorrect so we obtained certificates and got onto the right track. I made contact with relatives in Sydney also other inquirers. We joined SAG and visited the State Archives . Another valuable source was the Uniting Church Archives as the majority of my mother's side were Methodists. Another huge help was discovering the Anglican records for St. Albans where my roots began in Australia in 1793. Another trip to Grafton enabled us to look at the Births, Deaths and Marriages in the Court House and visit the various cemeteries in the district, particularly the local cemetery at Ulmarra which contains many family members also names of people that I heard my parents mention over the years. My mother had a birthday book that was given to her when she was in her teens so it was very helpful also. One  line  of  my  family  was  Walters and they held a re-union at St. Albans in the 1980s, so I was able to make more contacts and add a bit more to the tree. Also in the 1980s, we organised two Fernance re-unions at Wyong and have helped at various other family tree functions. The greatest help was the indexes of the Birth, Deaths and Marriages when they were first released and now it is better still with more resources available.  We have travelled to many places to meet and research both of our families and it has been a joy, especially going to St. Albans on many occasions and our annual visit to Grafton.  I appreciate my home town more now. If you would like to submit an item for How I got started on family history?  for inclusion the newsletter, send to the address below or email michelle.nichols@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au

NEW LOCAL STUDIES ITEMS

New Local Studies items now available to consult in the Local Studies Collection at Hawkesbury Central Library. 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 a pin) If you would like a pin number see library staff or ring 4560-4460. The following items may be of  interest :-

• Digitizing your family history : easy methods for  / MCCLURE 929.10285 MCC
• Genealogy for the furst time / BEST 929.1 BES
• You can write your Family History / CARMACK 808.06692 CAR

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, ph 4560 4460 for Windsor or 4578 2002 for Richmond bookings.

Australian Folklore - Warren Fahey ~ http://warrenfahey.com/map.htm

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