~ 10th October 2007 ~  

MEETING DATES 2007

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

INFORMATION

GIANT BOOK FAIR

Giant historical & genealogical book Sale Saturday 17th (1pm-4pm) and Sunday 18th November 2007 (10am-4pm) Richmond Villa, 120 Kent Street, Sydney. 1000s of books for sale including duplicates from the late Nick Vine Hall. Please add to the sale by donating your surplus books, only historical or family history in nature and no magazines. Deliver donations to to Richmond Villa between 5th & 12th November. Contact details : Society of Australian Genealogists, Tel: (02) 9247 3953/Fax: (02) 9241 4872 Email: info@sag.org.au

REMINDER STUBBS FAMILY REUNION

Descendants of the Stubbs family 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

"How I got started on family history?" - Diana Wood b

I was always interested in the history of my family, both Mum’s and Dad’s, but like so many didn’t pose enough questions when older family members were still able to answer those questions.

Births, Deaths and Marriages were my first port of call; this was in the 1980’s when you could telephone them. I always remember the advice of one BDM staff member when he said stick with your direct line, following too many branches becomes confusing, advice I still follow today. (My Dad was one of ten, Mum of seven, and larger families in previous generations).

All family histories have a place in Local History – families lived and came from somewhere. Because I was as interested in the ‘place’ as the ‘family’ I commenced a Diploma Course in Local and Applied History in 1993. This was a three year distance education course from University of New England. I had already gathered considerable family information and became even more interested in my family’s backgrounds during my study, which in particular was a great help in teaching me research techniques.

I am forever adding bits and pieces, finding relatives, and being found by some, who have the same interest, have visited where my Dad’s families originated, in England and Ireland, but there are still many gaps, particularly on Mum’s side, so I am still searching.

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/

Family Stories Told Digitally

Is on offer at the Hawkesbury Community College. Michael O'Hara will be teaching participants how to transform photos into a movie using simple, free software. They also learn how to structure their movie through storyboarding, write and add a commentary and select music for their productions. He throught members of the Hawkesbury Family History Group may be interested. The next course starts on the 14th of October. To enrol in or find out more information about the course contact Toni at the Hawkesbury Community College on 4588 5466.

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.

Archival Survival (Australian conservation suppliers) ~ http://www.archivalsurvival.com.au/

Thomas and Jane Rose Society ~ http://www.users.bigpond.com/rosefamilysociety/

Fellowship of First Fleeters ~ http://www.geocities.com/fellowship_of_first_fleeters/

Papers Past (an online resource of 19th-century New Zealand newspapers & periodicals.) ~ http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz

Blacktown heritage ~ http://www.roots-boots.net/history/index.htm

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