14th February 2023
For the first meeting of the year, there was a general discussion of ideas of what the group hoped to achieve, with the background use of a well-known free-distribution magazine's name 'The Big Issue', covering topics such as finding a person, DNA, organising your data, and more.
Members contributed with various items of interest and also in a 'show and tell' segment.
Members contributed with various items of interest and also in a 'show and tell' segment.
28th February 2023
Special guest speakers Helen Cossins and Kelly Ashford of the Pine Rivers Local History unit spoke on researching Pine Rivers Land Records.
14th March 2023
Paul introduced a Youtube video of Genealogy TV.
Ruth conducted another of her popular interviews, this time interviewing Nancy T who explained how, with the help of DNA research, she was able to identify her grandmother who had been a foundling.
Raeleen W spoke of her research into various living relatives.
Colleen provided members with a very useful tool of abreviations used in military records.
Ruth conducted another of her popular interviews, this time interviewing Nancy T who explained how, with the help of DNA research, she was able to identify her grandmother who had been a foundling.
Raeleen W spoke of her research into various living relatives.
Colleen provided members with a very useful tool of abreviations used in military records.
28th March 2023
A popular special guest Shauna Hicks gave a helpful talk especially for new members on "Where Do I Start" with some very useful tips:
Ruth conducted another of her interviews, this time with Paul Tuppen
- Always work backwards from the known (yourself) to the unknown (forebears)
- Never believe everything on a birth, death or marriage certificate
- Never completely trust the spelling of surnames, place names - check surname variants when researching – indexing errors – Anglicised names
- Always have at least two separate sources of proof for each event
- Back up regularly – digital & paper
- Remember that everything is only speculation until verified
- Always scan certificates & important documents - leave originals in a safe place
- If a document exists, read it. Then read it again!
- Join at least one family history group, genealogical society or historical society
- Share your information and documentation (copies only) with other researchers
Ruth conducted another of her interviews, this time with Paul Tuppen
11th April 2023
As there would be no meeting the following fortnight due to Anzac Day, Chris Donaldson gave a presentation titled "From the Goldfields to the Trenches" covering the arrival in 1852 of his great, great grandfather to Australia in time for the Victorian gold rush through to his grandfather's involvement in the First World War on the Western Front as the Commanding Officer of the 11th Field Co Engineers. A copy of the history of that unit is available for those interested
Genni G continued with the military theme of the meeting with a presentation on Australian Navy MEF.
Genni G continued with the military theme of the meeting with a presentation on Australian Navy MEF.
11th_field_co_engrs.pdf | |
File Size: | 10412 kb |
File Type: |
9th May 2023
Instead of the usual meeting at the Library, the group met at the premises of the Queensland Family History Society at Chermside where they were given a guided tour of the resources available there and they were able to make use of the extensive library and research material held there. The QFHS volunteers provided a lovely morning tea.
23rd May 2023
Helen Cossins gave an excellent introduction to the history preservation stations held within the local history section of the Library. Members are able to scan and copy documents, photos, slides etc but bookings for the use of the facility is recommended.
Chris Donaldson gave an update on some of the latest features available on MyHeritage including colourising photos and the ability to make still photos move.
John Petersen advised of a wonderful collection on Youtube by a chap called Rob Braiden which cover various areas with a focus on history pointers in SE Qld regional towns and greater Brisbane suburbs with highlights such as small country museums, old pubs, signs and plaques etc. They can be found here .
Chris Donaldson gave an update on some of the latest features available on MyHeritage including colourising photos and the ability to make still photos move.
John Petersen advised of a wonderful collection on Youtube by a chap called Rob Braiden which cover various areas with a focus on history pointers in SE Qld regional towns and greater Brisbane suburbs with highlights such as small country museums, old pubs, signs and plaques etc. They can be found here .
13th June 2023
A fascinating talk from Joanne Seccombe from Queensland State Archives.
Kelly Ashford also spoke on how to access the Family Search site using the Library affiliation:
We are pleased to advise that all Moreton Bay Region Libraries are now FamilySearch affiliate libraries. This means that when you access your FamilySearch account from one of our Library public pcs you will also have access to records that are only available at affiliate libraries. An icon will be added to the pcs shortly, but in the meantime you can access FamilySearch from any public pc at any Moreton Bay Region Libraries branch by either going to our genealogy resource page or typing in the site directly into your browser.
FamilySearch - Affiliate Records [https://www.familysearch.org]
Search for your ancestors in millions of historical records in this free worldwide database. Records include births, deaths, marriages, probates, land and military. Some records are only available to access at FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries. Moreton Bay Region Libraries is now a FamilySearch Affiliate Library and access to exclusive FamilySearch Affiliate records is now available in branch at any Moreton Bay Region Library.
To access FamilySearch Affiliate Library records:
Kelly Ashford also spoke on how to access the Family Search site using the Library affiliation:
We are pleased to advise that all Moreton Bay Region Libraries are now FamilySearch affiliate libraries. This means that when you access your FamilySearch account from one of our Library public pcs you will also have access to records that are only available at affiliate libraries. An icon will be added to the pcs shortly, but in the meantime you can access FamilySearch from any public pc at any Moreton Bay Region Libraries branch by either going to our genealogy resource page or typing in the site directly into your browser.
FamilySearch - Affiliate Records [https://www.familysearch.org]
Search for your ancestors in millions of historical records in this free worldwide database. Records include births, deaths, marriages, probates, land and military. Some records are only available to access at FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries. Moreton Bay Region Libraries is now a FamilySearch Affiliate Library and access to exclusive FamilySearch Affiliate records is now available in branch at any Moreton Bay Region Library.
To access FamilySearch Affiliate Library records:
- You will need your own personal free FamilySearch account.
- Access FamilySearch using any Moreton Bay Region Libraries branch public access PC
- You cannot access affiliate records using your own electronic device within the library or at home
- Conditions to access affiliate library records are determined by the original record holders. FamilySearch publishes copies of records in compliance with their conditions which may change. This may mean some records become inaccessible unexpectedly. Other records may link to external sites.
27th June 2023
Paul introduced some processes he has used in identifying folk within his One Name studies as he researched Ernest Tuppen and his wife Mary. The mind-map templates he uses as a guide to cover all sources are below. The group discussions offered a number of suggestions of what to do next including:
- Look for shipping records to see when he arrived in the US
- Look for later US Censuses which have more detailed information
- Look for an earlier UK census where he may still be with parents/family
- Look for his birth records in the UK
- Look for his marriage to determine his wife's maiden name
- Look in Ancestry for a public tree which may have in listed to gain further ideas
Here are the links from topics discussed at the meeting this week:
https://historicalvillage.com.au/2023/06/08/heritage-day-22-july-2023/
https://billiongraves.com/
https://www.findagrave.com/
- Peter Calver’s ‘Lost Cousins’ newsletter detailing the new ‘instant download’ service from the UK GRO https://lostcousins.com/newsletters2/midjul23news.htm
- the “London Tube’ map of Roman roads
- Caboolture Heritage Day, 22 Jul 2023, 9am – 4pm, 280 Beerburrum Rd, Caboolture
https://historicalvillage.com.au/2023/06/08/heritage-day-22-july-2023/
- Grave markers discovered during renovations
- outback graves
- Ryerson Index of death notices in newspapers
- https://ryersonindex.org/
- Australian Cemeteries Index
- Sites to find grave sites, monumental inscriptions and/or headstone photos
https://billiongraves.com/
https://www.findagrave.com/
11th July 2023
Chris Donaldson spoke of a record in his family history of his maternal 12 x great-grandfather a Richard Laughton B. 1440 at St Helens, Worcester which has notes of him being Bailiff of Worcester in 1481. In conversations with his daughter about family trees she was challenged to find out more of what this meant and using the power of ‘Dr Google’ found some fascinating results which are quite interesting.
The first was a connection to Cambridge University Press with some info at: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquaries-journal/article/abs/bailiffs-list-and-chronicle-from-worcester/6C1FA8F14817FF4736E7554F18D1B9CC
Another link which can be downloaded at: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/download/GB%200317%20B has 177 pages of summaries of decisions made by the Bailiffs at Worcester going back much further than his ancestor’s time. It is intriguing to see words which are no longer in general usage eg messuage which is a dwelling house with outbuildings and land assigned to its use; virgate which is a varying measure of land typically 30 acres; and curtilage which describes an area of land around a house and forming an enclosure with it.
Topping all these is a link: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/worcs/vol4/pp376-390 giving a history of Worcester and its surrounds from right back to Roman times which in itself is simply fascinating reading.
Paul spoke of the amount of material available through cemetery records and suggested that the group research gravestones and records at the Samsonvale Cemetery and upload records to sites such as Billion Graves. It was decided to visit the cemetery in a month's time.
The first was a connection to Cambridge University Press with some info at: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquaries-journal/article/abs/bailiffs-list-and-chronicle-from-worcester/6C1FA8F14817FF4736E7554F18D1B9CC
Another link which can be downloaded at: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/download/GB%200317%20B has 177 pages of summaries of decisions made by the Bailiffs at Worcester going back much further than his ancestor’s time. It is intriguing to see words which are no longer in general usage eg messuage which is a dwelling house with outbuildings and land assigned to its use; virgate which is a varying measure of land typically 30 acres; and curtilage which describes an area of land around a house and forming an enclosure with it.
Topping all these is a link: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/worcs/vol4/pp376-390 giving a history of Worcester and its surrounds from right back to Roman times which in itself is simply fascinating reading.
Paul spoke of the amount of material available through cemetery records and suggested that the group research gravestones and records at the Samsonvale Cemetery and upload records to sites such as Billion Graves. It was decided to visit the cemetery in a month's time.
25th July 2023
Warren R introduced to the group a program he uses called Zotero. This program helps you organize your research any way you want. You can sort items into collections and tag them with keywords or create saved searches that automatically fill with relevant materials as you work. It instantly creates references and bibliographies for any text editor, and directly inside Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs. With support for over 10,000 citation styles, you can format your work to match any style guide or publication. Zotero can optionally synchronize your data across devices, keeping your files, notes, and bibliographic records seamlessly up to date. If you decide to sync, you can also always access your research from any web browser. This program lets you co-write a paper with a colleague, distribute course materials to students, or build a collaborative bibliography. You can share a Zotero library with as many people you like, at no cost. It has been developed by an independent, nonprofit organization that has no financial interest in your private information and he assured members you always stay in control of your own data.
Marita shared what she has done with the development of her family book, and Ruth conducted another interview, this time with John R.
Marita shared what she has done with the development of her family book, and Ruth conducted another interview, this time with John R.
8th August 2023
The group independently travelled to the Samsonvale Cemetery and using lists of names from the Billion Graves website of persons already recorded, covered the cemetery area in sections noting names and dates and relationships as recorded on headstones including photographs. These were later uploaded to the Billion Graves website. The morning was well received and an enjoyable time was had with a relaxed morning tea under the trees.
22nd August 2023
John Petersen alerted members to a new video on YouTube by a chap named Rob Braiden who does history walks around various areas of Brisbane. He has just released a new one which, with the opening of the MBRC 'History 360' and its varied program, is quite timely. Covering the history and development of the Samford Valley (488) Brisbane's Lost World - Welcome to SAMFORD VALLEY - YouTube it is a fascinating way to fill in 20 minutes and wet your appetite to visit there on Sunday 27th August as part of History 360.
Raeleen W spoke of her research into what she titled her Poznan Project covering family in Poland; and Pat G shared the problems she has had deciphering old script.
Raeleen W spoke of her research into what she titled her Poznan Project covering family in Poland; and Pat G shared the problems she has had deciphering old script.
12th September 2023
Shauna Hicks gave a very comprehensive and informative presentation to our Strathpine Library Family History Group about using Gedmatch. Given the detail and complexity of the subject matter she kindly agreed to share the information on her slides with us.
Shauna holds copyright on the documents and slides shown but has agreed to it being distributed to our group members and also to the members of the public who were present at the talk on the day. We respect her generosity by not distributing it further.
Congratulations Shauna on a fabulous presentation and the colossal amount of work that must have gone into its development.
Hopefully, someone will put this information to good use in their research and soon talk to us at a meeting to tell what they did with it and how it benefitted them.
Shauna holds copyright on the documents and slides shown but has agreed to it being distributed to our group members and also to the members of the public who were present at the talk on the day. We respect her generosity by not distributing it further.
Congratulations Shauna on a fabulous presentation and the colossal amount of work that must have gone into its development.
Hopefully, someone will put this information to good use in their research and soon talk to us at a meeting to tell what they did with it and how it benefitted them.
Brenda N advised that records of the Kalgoorlie Hospital had been digitised and were available at Outback Family History The photo below is of a Kalgoorlie Hospital ward in 1910
26th September 2023
Ruth conducted another of her interviews, this time with Adele.
Paul spoke about the website Scotlands People Find your Scottish ancestors | ScotlandsPeople and the ability to order official certificates, searching for Kirk sessions and other church court records, various news and features, as well as charges and other help topics.
Paul spoke about the website Scotlands People Find your Scottish ancestors | ScotlandsPeople and the ability to order official certificates, searching for Kirk sessions and other church court records, various news and features, as well as charges and other help topics.
10th October 2023
Special guest speaker Lydia Eugunnike gave a fascinating presentation on preserving your photos, with examples of early types of photographic reproductions as well as film and negative storage tips.
Paul presented some interesting links from LegacyTree Genealogists and Family Tree magazine covering things such as how to get started with family history research, fact checking, taking time to ensure details are correct, and looking for multiple points of information.
https://www.legacytree.com/blog/what-is-genealogy
https://familytreemagazine.com/research/online-family-tree-hints
https://familytreemagazine.com/research/family-tree-hints/
https://familytreemagazine.com/strategies/fact-check-family-trees/
https://www.legacytree.com/blog/what-is-genealogy
https://familytreemagazine.com/research/online-family-tree-hints
https://familytreemagazine.com/research/family-tree-hints/
https://familytreemagazine.com/strategies/fact-check-family-trees/
24th October 2023
Chris Donaldson spoke of new features introduced to MyHeritage particularly the ability to date photos from within the MyHeritage photo gallery and illustrated this with photos from his own MyHeritage gallery. This feature uses comparisons of clothing and hairstyles and is generally accurate to within a 3-5 year bracket.
Les R spoke of his recent travels overseas including visiting his cousin in Wales.
Les R spoke of his recent travels overseas including visiting his cousin in Wales.
14th November 2023
Les R gave an interesting talk on his visit to Amiens, Villiers Bretonneux and other sites of battlefields and cemeteries in the Somme valley.
28th November 2023
It was planned that as an end-of-year breakup the group would have a picnic meeting at Pine Rivers Park but unfortunately with the weather being very unpredictable this was moved back to the Library where Paul had organised various puzzles and questionnaires instead of the traditional 'exam' carried out in previous years. Unfortunately, there were no cash rewards.