~ 13th June 2007 ~  

MEETING DATES 2007

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

INFORMATION

BICENTENARY OF EBENEZER CHURCH - SATURDAY 20 JUNE 2009

Set aside this date in 2009 as the historic Ebenezer Church, the first Presbyterian Church and oldest existing church in Australia will celebrate 200 years. A bicentenary committee has been formed and the church are seeking assistance in planning and staging the event. Ideas for displays, re-enactments, activities…names of people and associations that can contribute are welcome. If you would like to be placed on the mailing list and receive a informative newsletter contact tedbrill@bigpond.com

MARGARET CATCHPOLE

Laurie Forth will be presenting a talk on the life & times of Margaret Catchpole at the 8th August Hawkesbury Family History Group meeting. Following morning tea on this day, Laurie will be presenting a 30 minute clip of historical film to those that are interested.

FIELD FAMILY HISTORY

Colin Field has advised that "From a Distant Field, the Living Edition" Version 8.3 of the "private and unpublished" website is now available for descendants. Details of how to make such a request can be found by visiting the "Early Generations" version (www.pcug.org.au/~cfield/distantf/) on the Internet. Information on earlier generations is easily accessible on the site.

 CLOSURE OF MITCHELL LIBRARY 23 & 24 JUNE

The Mitchell Library Reading Room and Galleries will be closed and Mitchell collections will be unavailable on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 June for essential works to be carried out. We understand that this temporary closure may impact on the research activities of your clients and we apologise for this inconvenience. The State Research Library will not be affected by the temporary closure.

"How I got started on family history?" - Jonathan Auld

Growing up in the historic property, Tizzana Winery, I have always had an avid interest in history. I have researched the early inhabitants of the property as well as the Fiaschi family who established the winery in 1887. The cellar door has regular daily bus tours and as part of the tour I give an historical overview of Tizzana and Dr Thomas Fiaschi.

Assisting with my mother's research on my maternal line in the 1990s, I started work on the family history by entering information into a database, sorting photographs and collecting certificates. In 2003 I commenced research on my paternal line from scratch, tracing the family back through their arrival in Victoria and then back into Scotland. Although far from complete, I have traced back at least 6 generations on most sides of the family tree.

Joining the Hawkesbury Family History Group in 2002, I also attend and belong to various local historical societies. In 2007 I wrote an article titled "Sackville Reach Remembered: The flights of two Wirraways" for the Journal of the Hawkesbury Historical Society Inc. This article involved a great deal of local history and family history research to piece together the story. I have also compiled several articles for the Hawkesbury Family History newsletter.

Other historical research experience involve the publishing of the "Bicentennial Times" newspaper for the 1794-1994 committee and commencing the "Hawkesbury on the Net" website project in 2000. The latter project having freely available resources for all family historians who have an interest in the Hawkesbury Region, including cemetery, memorial and church register transcriptions.

I have also been invited as a Guest Speaker on several occasions talking about family history and the internet; family history software, and the history of Tizzana at various family history groups and historical societies. Names I am researching include (but not limited to): AULD, MILLER, BRACKENRIDGE, KERR, MANNING, SMITH, SIMPSON and LYNE.

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/

The last word : two centuries of Australian epitaphs / GILBERT Shelved at RL929.50994 GIL

A history of medical administration in NSW 1788-1973 / CUMMINS Shelved at RL610.9 CUM

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 :-

Wartime : official magazine of the Australian War Memorial

Now available to borrow from both Windsor & Richmond magazines. Issue 38 of particular interest, focusing on "Gallipoli and the Anzac myth" Shelved with magazines

The Wentworths : father and son / John Ritchie Shelved at 994.9 RIT

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.

Western Australian Post Office Directories ~ http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/pdf/battye/pods/Post_Office_Directories_Contents.html

Search whatever ~ http://www.searchwhateveraustralia.com.au/

Migration Heritage Centre ~ http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/

China's Shanghai Library largest genealogical database in the world ~ www.library.sh.cn/new-eng

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