Family History Group

Here are some dates for the diary:

DNA Workshop Group – Thursday 15 September 10.00 to 12.00

Family Tree Maker Workshop Group will meet on Thursday 22 September 10.00 to 12.00

If you have a lap top with your DNA results or Family Tree Maker on board, bring it along as the aim is to help each other with any issues we may have.

The next monthly meeting  will be on the first Thursday of the month as usual which is 6 October at 10.00 -12.00.  The topic  is ” Hints and links when you are stuck”. Brick walls in our research can be so infuriating!!!

Mark – who presented on Adobe Photoshop at the August meeting was unable to come along to the September meeting but we hope he will be at the October meeting to solve the problems of getting photos from our ipads and phones to our computers.

If you are interested in coming along to any groups you are most welcome.

PREVIOUS MEETINGs

September 2022

Rick Sochrane from Canberra printing firm Bytes ‘n Colours gave a most informative talk about his company’s work including preparing files for printing your family history.  Note the minimum print run is just “one”! A write up will be in the newsletter.

At the August monthly meeting we looked at two topics: a brief look at immigration from a country other than UK – we looked at the UK at the July meeting, and ‘Restoring old photos’.

July Topic: “Australia – Land of Opportunity”

Since our convict days people have come from many parts of the world to live here in Australia.  Some paid their own way whilst others were assisted by organisations.  How did your ancestors reach this land of opportunity?

Websites that proved useful in finding information about immigration, particularly assisted migration, and the schemes which promoted migration included:

• The Australian National Archives – there are some great research guides www.naa.gov.au
• The National Archives of the UK – www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
• re descendants of the lace makers of Calais – https://www.lacemakersofcalais.com.au
• Immigration Museum, Victoria www.museumsvictoria.com.au
• National Museum of Australia – www.nma.gov.au
• History of the Department of Immigration – www.homeaffairs.gov.au
• Highland and Island Emigration Society (Scotland) -Scotlands People www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
• State Library of Victoria for info on assisted verses unassisted passage – www.slv.vic.gov.au
• Find and Connect website – historical resources relating to institutional care in Australia – www.findandconnect.gov.au
• Trove and other newspaper resources are a great way to find out about incoming ships and passengers and also about the schems such as the ‘Dreadnought Scheme’ and the ‘Barwell Boys’.

June Topic The weather and its impacts  on our ancestors’ lives. Many of our ancestors may have been affected by drought or famine, have moved to another country or lost loved ones – the weather can have a big impact on us. We can add interest and context to our family history stories by considering “The weather”. Sources of information include family letters and diaries and newspaper reports of weather events and weather forecasts just to mention a few.

I’ve listed some websites here which were referred to in the meeting:

Historic data for the UK – https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/historic-station-data

An archived website with fascinating information about hsitorical weather events – https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20130428155005/http://booty.org.uk/booty.weather/climate/wxevents.htm

and if you are lookingfor weather events 1700-1849 try – https://www.pascalbonenfant.com/18c/geography/weather.html

You might have to cut and paste into a browser.

For Australia – the Bureau of Meteorology  website has historical data for a range of sites and dates.

For any of you that were at the meeting – Elizabeth Stratton’s 13 month old baby did not drown with her in the canal in 1862.  The child had already been returned home before Elizabeth set off to walk her friend home.

And while I have your attention –  FindMyPast has a terrific collection of British and Irish newspapers on its website. I have just found my great grandfather at the Wexford Ireland magistrates court in 1890 arguing over an assault case. Searching by his name didn’t find this article but his address in Wexford did.  Just shows that broad searches sometimes brings interesting results.

Also – if you are considering writing the results of your research there is an interesting website by Carol Baxter who is offering online course (for a fee) on writing and publishing. She has written several books resulting from her research.  Check out www.writingfabulousfamilyhistories.com/home Thank you Beverley for the link.

Liz Dean

Updated 1 September 2022