13th February 2024
Thank you to library staffers, Karen (Strathpine Branch Leader), Helen (MBRC Local History Leader), Kelly (MBRC Senior Local History Officer) and Simone (Senior Library Officer) for attending our first group gathering for this year … and iterated (possibly reiterated) a few pertinent points in the library’s ongoing assistance to our gatherings.
Paul T presented a big-screen rundown of tabs, categories & sub-categories within SLFHG’s Weebly website > https://familyst.weebly.com and a couple of attendees drew attention to the tips/HINTS category.
If any group member has a ‘helpful hint’ not already covered in Weebly or picks up any outdated info, please talk to (or email) Chris D … or talk to the meeting leader at any meeting, even better: bring up your new research tip at a meeting and/or post/contribute such to the familyst email-discussion system.
To encourage planning feedback, each member received a survey form to bring back to the next meeting. We thank Warren R for kickstarting this year's planning process.
Paul T presented a big-screen rundown of tabs, categories & sub-categories within SLFHG’s Weebly website > https://familyst.weebly.com and a couple of attendees drew attention to the tips/HINTS category.
If any group member has a ‘helpful hint’ not already covered in Weebly or picks up any outdated info, please talk to (or email) Chris D … or talk to the meeting leader at any meeting, even better: bring up your new research tip at a meeting and/or post/contribute such to the familyst email-discussion system.
To encourage planning feedback, each member received a survey form to bring back to the next meeting. We thank Warren R for kickstarting this year's planning process.
27th February 2024
Kelly Ashford gave a fascinating talk on the history of the Pine Rivers Shire which has now been absorbed into the City of Moreton Bay, with photos and stories of pioneering families such as Petrie, Cash and Lawn through to the large military camps developed during World War 2 including three airstrips, and the later construction of the APM paper mill at Petrie, now demolished to make way for the great new University campus.
Ruth L. conducted another of her interviews, this time with Jennifer W. who also showed some of her photo story books she has put together.
Paul T. used the big screen to illustrate the upcoming RootsTech 2024 conference with its enormous range of presenters and topics covered, which are all available to watch 'live' or any time later for up to three years.
Raeleen W. gave an update on her visit to Poland as part of the Poznan Project. The goal of this is to transcribe the 19th century marriage records from the historic Greater Poland (then Prussian Province of Poznan) into a searchable online database. The Project is coordinated by Łukasz Bielecki and is supported by dozens of volunteers from many countries, who have been transcribing marriages from the entire region, see: https://poznan-project.psnc.pl/page.php?page=about&lang=en
With the invaluable help of a guide, she visited the towns of Margonin, Szamocin and Laskowo searching for churches and cemeteries connected to her family's history.
Over the Christmas break John P. advised of a new Youtube video by Rob Braiden, this time covering the Chermside region. As part of Show and Tell, Chris D. highlighted one aspect from that video of Hacker's grocery and produce store which was situated across the road from the Westfield Shopping complex long before it was built in the 1950's. He showed a shopping docket dated 1962 for a number of items with a total cost of 17 shillings which in today's pricing would amount to $27.35. He also spoke of the discovery of convict ancestors discovered through a MyHeritage Smart Match.
Genni G. gave a run-down of the online resources available for searching for Wills and Probate:
Wiki website
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Australia_Probate_Records
New south Wales & ACT
•New South Wales Will books can be found on findmypast.
•https://www.findmypast.com.au/search/results?sourcecategory=life%20events%20(bmds)&collection=wills%20%26%20probate&lastname=woods&datasetname=new%20south%20wales%20will%20books%201800-1952&sourcecountry=australasia&firstname=harold&firstname_variants=true&sid=999
You can also check here for later probates.
•https://onlineregistry.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/content/search-probate-notices
•https://www.courts.act.gov.au/supreme/law-and-practice/wills-and-probate/probate-notices/search-probate-notices
Victoria, Tasmania & Queensland
•https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/wills-and-probates
•https://librariestas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/names/search/results?qf=NI_INDEX%09Record+type%09Wills%09Wills
•https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/archives/starting/search-the-records/search-the-records
South Australia, Northern Territory & Western Australia
•https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3007557
•https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/60748/
•https://slwa.wa.gov.au/dead_reckoning/government_archival_records/t-z/wills_-and-_letters_of_administration
UK & Ireland
•https://genealogy.nationalarchives.ie/
•https://census.nationalarchives.ie/search/wr/index.jsp
•https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-1384-1858/
•https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/
Paul T. used the big screen to illustrate the upcoming RootsTech 2024 conference with its enormous range of presenters and topics covered, which are all available to watch 'live' or any time later for up to three years.
Raeleen W. gave an update on her visit to Poland as part of the Poznan Project. The goal of this is to transcribe the 19th century marriage records from the historic Greater Poland (then Prussian Province of Poznan) into a searchable online database. The Project is coordinated by Łukasz Bielecki and is supported by dozens of volunteers from many countries, who have been transcribing marriages from the entire region, see: https://poznan-project.psnc.pl/page.php?page=about&lang=en
With the invaluable help of a guide, she visited the towns of Margonin, Szamocin and Laskowo searching for churches and cemeteries connected to her family's history.
Over the Christmas break John P. advised of a new Youtube video by Rob Braiden, this time covering the Chermside region. As part of Show and Tell, Chris D. highlighted one aspect from that video of Hacker's grocery and produce store which was situated across the road from the Westfield Shopping complex long before it was built in the 1950's. He showed a shopping docket dated 1962 for a number of items with a total cost of 17 shillings which in today's pricing would amount to $27.35. He also spoke of the discovery of convict ancestors discovered through a MyHeritage Smart Match.
Genni G. gave a run-down of the online resources available for searching for Wills and Probate:
Wiki website
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Australia_Probate_Records
New south Wales & ACT
•New South Wales Will books can be found on findmypast.
•https://www.findmypast.com.au/search/results?sourcecategory=life%20events%20(bmds)&collection=wills%20%26%20probate&lastname=woods&datasetname=new%20south%20wales%20will%20books%201800-1952&sourcecountry=australasia&firstname=harold&firstname_variants=true&sid=999
You can also check here for later probates.
•https://onlineregistry.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/content/search-probate-notices
•https://www.courts.act.gov.au/supreme/law-and-practice/wills-and-probate/probate-notices/search-probate-notices
Victoria, Tasmania & Queensland
•https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/wills-and-probates
•https://librariestas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/names/search/results?qf=NI_INDEX%09Record+type%09Wills%09Wills
•https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/arts/heritage/archives/starting/search-the-records/search-the-records
South Australia, Northern Territory & Western Australia
•https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3007557
•https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/60748/
•https://slwa.wa.gov.au/dead_reckoning/government_archival_records/t-z/wills_-and-_letters_of_administration
UK & Ireland
•https://genealogy.nationalarchives.ie/
•https://census.nationalarchives.ie/search/wr/index.jsp
•https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-1384-1858/
•https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/
12th March 2024
Ruth conducted another of her interviews, this time with Marilyn B who spoke of her research into family members mainly with names Shallcross, Gault, Rucker and Pacey.
Rayleen W presented her findings of family members buried at Maryborough and Munna Creek Cemeteries and highlighted problems with the merging of databases between the cemeteries, particularly when tracking the cremated remains of one person which had been re-interred at the different location.
Sandy M showed a couple of books given to her as aids in her writing of personal history narratives. Using a number of hints included in these books such as holidays, type of house, family rules, sports played, places visited etc, she encouraged members to document and record their own family story so that it was never lost.
Ruth L presented a number of methods of tracing Irish ancestors and records, pointing out that dates on some records may not be those of actual events with some records showing baptisms occurring before birth dates! She highlighted the discrepancies found as she researched her granny Naughton through a number of marriages.
Rayleen W presented her findings of family members buried at Maryborough and Munna Creek Cemeteries and highlighted problems with the merging of databases between the cemeteries, particularly when tracking the cremated remains of one person which had been re-interred at the different location.
Sandy M showed a couple of books given to her as aids in her writing of personal history narratives. Using a number of hints included in these books such as holidays, type of house, family rules, sports played, places visited etc, she encouraged members to document and record their own family story so that it was never lost.
Ruth L presented a number of methods of tracing Irish ancestors and records, pointing out that dates on some records may not be those of actual events with some records showing baptisms occurring before birth dates! She highlighted the discrepancies found as she researched her granny Naughton through a number of marriages.
26th March 2024
Sandy McK spoke of some of the intriguing puzzles she has found while researching her grandfather with conflicting dates and places, but received a lot of advice from members to enable her to pursue other avenues of search. She acknowledged the tremendous benefit of being in the history group and the support that any member can receive by bringing forth their genealogy questions.
Elizabeth K shared how to identify directions in finding answers to puzzles by first spotlighting the main area, then commencing to dig through the information available, sift out what was relevant and categorize it, map out what those results are, and then research more deeply into the areas discovered.
A regular Guest Speaker, Helen Smith (www.dragongenealogy.com/), gave a fascinating talk on Family Search, highlighting some of the topics covered in the recent Roots Tech conference. By using the affiliate library access to the FamilySearch site with a wide range of search headings available which are not accessible by logging in at home, she pointed out the two catalogues - the Family Search catalogue which has not been updated since September 2022; and the Family Search Library catalogue which is continually updated.
When searching historical records she advised having a research goal, start with a broad search then refine, similarly start with a broad date range rather than specific dates, watch out for spelling variations, and the use of filters. The Family Search genealogies has a database of thousands which can be searched by historical images, place searches, advanced search, and with keyword searches. A tip was to use wildcards when searching such as ? for one letter or * for 0 to more letters.
Elizabeth K shared how to identify directions in finding answers to puzzles by first spotlighting the main area, then commencing to dig through the information available, sift out what was relevant and categorize it, map out what those results are, and then research more deeply into the areas discovered.
A regular Guest Speaker, Helen Smith (www.dragongenealogy.com/), gave a fascinating talk on Family Search, highlighting some of the topics covered in the recent Roots Tech conference. By using the affiliate library access to the FamilySearch site with a wide range of search headings available which are not accessible by logging in at home, she pointed out the two catalogues - the Family Search catalogue which has not been updated since September 2022; and the Family Search Library catalogue which is continually updated.
When searching historical records she advised having a research goal, start with a broad search then refine, similarly start with a broad date range rather than specific dates, watch out for spelling variations, and the use of filters. The Family Search genealogies has a database of thousands which can be searched by historical images, place searches, advanced search, and with keyword searches. A tip was to use wildcards when searching such as ? for one letter or * for 0 to more letters.
9th April 2024
Raeleen W added to her family story of past meetings with photos of their discovery of places and roads carrying the family name around Ma Ma Creek, including the discovery of the heritage-listed remains of the original family home in the area, accessible only by nail-biting four-wheel drive tracks.
Raeleen and Colleen B reminded members of some of the older search sites which may not be used as frequently as before. they include:
https://www.curiousfox.com/ which is a message board for researching family history in UK and Ireland with either free or paid membership. Free membership enables sending messages to the message board, but they can only be answered by a paid membership.
http://www.dustydocs.com/ is town or parish searchable which provides lists of available data, sending you to a third party where you may need a subscription to view more. These third party sites include National Archives of Ireland, Family Search, WikiWand, MyHeritage etc.
https://austcemindex.com/ commenced in 2004, recording headstone or plaque inscriptions that were present when the cemetery was photographed. May be able to obtain spouse, parent or children names from reliable sources.
https://www.genuki.org.uk/ is a reference library of generated information and guide notes on where to look eg parish registers and census in the UK and Ireland. It does not allow for individual surname research.
https://coraweb.com.au/ was established in 1997 to compliment the book written by Cora Num. It is a collective data of websites for genealogists including archives, asylum and hospital records, electoral rolls and cemeteries, which link to sites such as State Archives, Ancestry and Find My Past.
https://www.rootschat.com/ was established in 2003 with free membership although you must register, and used for communication via message boards helping with family history queries, which are mostly UK messages.
Raeleen also spoke on various ways of keeping track of research and data collected, highlighting a Youtube video by Constance Knox at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi2Gi6YLfDk recommending keeping a research log to stop re-visiting websites which can be frustrating. https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Principles_of_Family_History_Research
outlines steps on gathering and recording information.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Identify_What_You_Know provides steps to help in record keeping and has forms available such as Family Group Record and pedigree charts which may be of assistance.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Research_Logs has strategies to keep documents, sources etc. This can be added to by The FamilyRoots Organizer Color-Coding System (genrootsorganizer.com) .
Paul T illustrated how using a familysearch.org function, one is able to see who they may be related to - it seems that maybe everyone could be related to Lady Di. For a RootsTech explanation of discovering famous relatives see:
https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/session/famous-relatives#:~:text=Famous%20Relatives%20is%20a%20new,.org%2Fdiscovery%2Ffamousrelatives.
Another blog has further information at https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/famous-relatives .
Paul then, in a back-to-basics presentation, ran through the versatility of the functions in buttons and scroll-wheel of the computer mouse.
Raeleen and Colleen B reminded members of some of the older search sites which may not be used as frequently as before. they include:
https://www.curiousfox.com/ which is a message board for researching family history in UK and Ireland with either free or paid membership. Free membership enables sending messages to the message board, but they can only be answered by a paid membership.
http://www.dustydocs.com/ is town or parish searchable which provides lists of available data, sending you to a third party where you may need a subscription to view more. These third party sites include National Archives of Ireland, Family Search, WikiWand, MyHeritage etc.
https://austcemindex.com/ commenced in 2004, recording headstone or plaque inscriptions that were present when the cemetery was photographed. May be able to obtain spouse, parent or children names from reliable sources.
https://www.genuki.org.uk/ is a reference library of generated information and guide notes on where to look eg parish registers and census in the UK and Ireland. It does not allow for individual surname research.
https://coraweb.com.au/ was established in 1997 to compliment the book written by Cora Num. It is a collective data of websites for genealogists including archives, asylum and hospital records, electoral rolls and cemeteries, which link to sites such as State Archives, Ancestry and Find My Past.
https://www.rootschat.com/ was established in 2003 with free membership although you must register, and used for communication via message boards helping with family history queries, which are mostly UK messages.
Raeleen also spoke on various ways of keeping track of research and data collected, highlighting a Youtube video by Constance Knox at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi2Gi6YLfDk recommending keeping a research log to stop re-visiting websites which can be frustrating. https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Principles_of_Family_History_Research
outlines steps on gathering and recording information.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Identify_What_You_Know provides steps to help in record keeping and has forms available such as Family Group Record and pedigree charts which may be of assistance.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Research_Logs has strategies to keep documents, sources etc. This can be added to by The FamilyRoots Organizer Color-Coding System (genrootsorganizer.com) .
Paul T illustrated how using a familysearch.org function, one is able to see who they may be related to - it seems that maybe everyone could be related to Lady Di. For a RootsTech explanation of discovering famous relatives see:
https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/session/famous-relatives#:~:text=Famous%20Relatives%20is%20a%20new,.org%2Fdiscovery%2Ffamousrelatives.
Another blog has further information at https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/famous-relatives .
Paul then, in a back-to-basics presentation, ran through the versatility of the functions in buttons and scroll-wheel of the computer mouse.
Chris D demonstrated the new addition to MyHeritage with their OldNews function which provides newspaper reports from various countries but with an additional subscription to MyHeritage. Availability of Australian newspaper reports are still available for free and can provide a fascinating insight into the social backgrounds of people and times being researched.