Saturday, January 30, 2016

Crusty envelopes, crumbling papers and that lovely ol' handwriting

Today I visited the NSW State Archives at Kingswood NSW with some fellow genies, Janelle and Hilary. Needless to say, we had a great day immersed in the documents of the past. As often happens, I put in a few orders to see old records that turned out not to be connected to my family. However, I wasn't too disappointed ... I saw this as an opportunity to collect a few examples of beautiful  handwriting; some of it was quite calligraphic (if there is such a word).

So, for your viewing pleasure, here are a few random examples of what my eyes were feasting on today. I hope you enjoy browsing through them as much as I did.



























Saturday, January 9, 2016

What were your 2015 achievements and what are your 2016 to-do plans?

So, now that 2015 is in the past and we're right at the beginning of 2016, it's a nice time to reflect on what you achieved in your family history in 2015 and to plan some fun goals for 2016.



If you're interested in what I got up to over the past few weeks and what I am planning in 2016, for my own genealogy, check out this blogpost:

My family history 2015 achievements my 2016 to-do plans

All the best with your genealogical research this year!

What were your 2015 achievements and what are your 2016 "to-do" plans?

Monday, January 4, 2016

Online genie tools

Over the years I have found a few great tools for researching genealogy - some of these I've found and others have been shared with me by other genies.



Here are a few of them. If you have any other additions, let me know.





I'm still looking for a good online Timeline tool ... any suggestions?




Saturday, January 2, 2016

Quick catch-up with the last 6 months of the Genies Down Under podcast

Feel like a bit of binge listening to Genies Down Under podcasts?



Here is a run down of what you can catch-up with in the last six months of the Genies Down Under podcast. You can access each podcast episode via Genies Down Under at iTunes or at the Genies Down Under website. Links to podcast episodes and shownotes for each episode are also found in this blogpost.

Episode 50: Genie Fiction stuff for genies: Family history themed books and stories (December 2015)


In Episode 50, the following eight genie-themed books are covered:
  1. Sarah Thornhill by Kate Grenville (2011)
  2. Oranges & Sunshine (aka Empty Cradles) by Margaret Humphries (1996)
  3. Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park
  4. The Harp in the South by Ruth Park (1948)
  5. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough (1977)
  6. The Timeless Land by Eleanor Dark (1941)
  7. The Bodysurfers by Robert Drewe (1983)
  8. Cloudstreet by Tim Winton (1991)

    

     

  


In this episode, you'll find answers to these questions:

  • I'd like to read some stories with family history themes and Australian history themes. Who are the authors and what are the book titles? 
  • Where can I read more about genealogy themed stories? 
  • What are some classic Australian stories, with family history themes? 
  • How are Australian authors inspired to write stories with family history themes or Australian history themes?

Check out the Shownotes for Episode 50.

Listen to the Audio for Episode 50 or download through the Genies Down Under site on iTunes.


Episode 49: Food stuff for genies: Feasts and famines of our ancestors (November 2015)


Episode 49 includes a load of tips, tools, tricks and traps about researching the food of our ancestors.



In this episode, you'll find answers to these questions:


    • What can I do with my own food-related memories? 
    • How can I find out about the food of my ancestors? 
    • How can I use stories of famine and feasts in my family history research? 
    • How can I spice up my family history research with information about the food my ancestors ate, the famines they may have experienced and the feasts they may have had?


    Check out the Shownotes for Episode 49.

    Listen to the Audio for Episode 49 or download through the Genies Down Under site on iTunes.



    Episode 48: Movies stuff for genies: Films with Australian family history themes(October 2015)


    In Episode 48 of Genies Down Under, the following movies and TV mini-series were covered:


    1. Roots: The Saga of an American Family
    2. Dynasties Special 2007.
    3. For the term of his natural life
    4. The Castle
    5. Gallipoli (1981)
    6. The Water Diviner (2014)
    7. Rabbit Proof Fence
    8. Who do you think you are?






        In this episode, you'll find answers to these questions:
        • What Australian movies feature family history themes? 
        • Which blogs can I read about movies in family history stories? 
        • Where can I go to visit some movie-related locations? 


        Check out the Shownotes for Episode 48.

        Listen to the Audio for Episode 48 or download through the Genies Down Under site on iTunes.



        Episode 47: Funny stuff for genies: Humour in Australian family history (September 2015)


        In Episode 47, a selection of ideas for using humour in your family history research is presented.



        In this episode, you'll find answers to these questions:

        • What are some examples of humour in family history? 
        • What are some examples of black humour in family history? 
        • What are some funny sayings about family history? 
        • What are some examples of funny family history photographs? 
        • How can I use humour in my own family history research?


        Check out the Shownotes for Episode 47.

        Listen to the Audio for Episode 47 or download through the Genies Down Under site on iTunes.


        Episode 46: Magazine stuff for genies: Checking out a few genealogy mags (August 2015)


        In Episode 46, a selection of family history magazines to extend your family history research is presented.



        In this episode, you'll find answers to these questions:

        • What are the names of some genealogy magazines that can help genealogists extend their family history research in an Australian context? 
        • What benefits can genealogists gain from reading family history magazines? 
        • How can your contributions to a genealogy magazine help your family history research?


        Check out the Shownotes for Episode 46.

        Listen to the Audio for Episode 46 or download through the Genies Down Under site on iTunes.


        Episode 45: Trove stuff for genies: Delving into the treasures of one of our best Australian family history resources (July 2015)


        In Episode 45, you'll find a bunch of tips, tools, tricks and traps about using TROVE for your family history research.



        In this episode, you'll find answers to these questions:

        • What is TROVE? How can TROVE help me with my family history research? 
        • What do I need to know about TROVE to make it easier to find records related to my family's history? 
        • How can I give back to TROVE?


        Check out the Shownotes for Episode 45.

        Listen to the Audio for Episode 45 or download through the Genies Down Under site on iTunes.

        Also, check out the Genies Down Under blogpost:

        Treasures in TROVE: An A-Z of 24 examples

        Friday, January 1, 2016

        Treasures in TROVE: An A-Z of 24 examples

        If you've ever wondered what types of family history information you'll find on TROVE newspapers, here are 24 examples.

        Accidents

        As they are today, tragic accidents were often reported in the newspaper preceding an ancestor's death. Sometimes, these are also followed up by coroner's inquiries.


        Sydney Morning Herald
        Friday 29 March 1929, page 10



        Bankruptcies 

        Bankruptcy cases were often recorded in the newspapers of the day.

        Sydney Morning Herald
        Thursday 9 October 1890, page 7


        Bicycle rides

        Sometimes you may find that your ancestors were involved in some amazing sporting achievements.

        The Bourke Banner
        18 January 1899



        Bourke Banner
        4 January 1899

        Births

        These records can also reveal the child's full name, birthdate and birth location, as well as parents' names and addresses, and other siblings' names.


        Sydney Morning Herald
        Saturday 7 May 1932, page 12

        Company advertisements

        An advertisement for an old company my grandfather and great-uncle worked for in the 1930s.

        Sydney Morning Herald
        Wednesday 8 November 1933, page 4

        Controversial coroner cases

        Reports of court cases in the newspapers often provide clues about where to follow up other records, who was involved in the case, where it occurred and was tried and the outcomes of the case or inquiry.

        Sydney Morning Herald
        Tuesday 5 May 1903, page 7

        Crimes

        The crime itself, as well as follow up court cases, can be found in newspapers across the country. Often a crime committed in one place was reported in multiple other locations in various other newspapers across the country. Generally, the more scandalous or the more violent crimes were reported in more widely in newspapers across the state and the country.


        Bathurst Free Press
        Saturday 22 February 1851, page 4


        Death notices

        Plenty of family history information can be gleaned from death notices including the full name of the deceased, location of death, deceased person's address, family members' names, recent employment and the age of the deceased.

        Sydney Morning Herald
        Tuesday 21 September 1926, page 10


        Divorces

        When divorces are reported, other information can also be included such as marriage date and location, reason for divorce and laywers' names.


        Sydney Morning Herald
        Saturday 8 May 1937, page 10


        Sydney Morning Herald
        Wednesday 24 November 1937, page 10


        Family reunions

        Articles about family reunions are especially valuable as they often contain photographs with captions.

        The Sun
        Tuesday 7 Mary 1935

        Fires

        Fires and other events that occurred during the time of your ancestors' lives can be researched.


        Gilgandra Weekly
        Thursday 7 February 1929, page 4

        Football games

        Often these reports will also include information about spectators, coaches, team members' names and weather.
        The Western Herald
        Wednesday 29 August 1900, page 2

        Funeral notices

        Plenty of family history information can be gleaned from funeral notices including names of family members and friends, the address of the deceased, the time of the funeral, location of cemetery and the funeral company.

        Sydney Morning Herald
        Tuesday 21 October 1913, page 8

        Lost and found

        Sometimes your ancestors may have found a lost item, and advertised it in the local paper.



        Sydney Morning Herald
        Friday 30 December 1932, Page 1

        Marriages


        Marriage notices can provide information about dates, names of the bride and groom, location of wedding, minister at the wedding, number of siblings of the bride and groom, and parents of the bride and groom and their locations.

        Sydney Morning Herald
        Saturday 22 May 1937, page 16

        Memorials

        In the years following a death of a loved one, family members would sometimes publish memorials to their lost loved ones.

        Sydney Morning Herald
        Thursday 25 July 1907



        Sydney Morning Herald
        Thursday 10 May 1928, page 10

        Obituaries

        This obituary of one of my ancestors gave me a lot of information about his life, including his name, death date, death location, previous residence, age (although his age information was incorrect).


        Cootamundra Herald
        Friday 9 April 1943, page 2


        Parties and family celebrations

        Reports of family celebrations, such as anniversaries and major birthday parties, can provide a wealth of information about the person, their family and friends.

        Western Herald
        Wednesday 12 May 1926, page 2



        Photographic studio information

        If you have old photographs that have information on them about photographic studios, these studios were often advertised in newspapers of the day.

        Sydney Morning Herald,
        Saturday 21 Dec 1901

        Probate notices

        These reports provide death date and location information, as well as details about a will or lack of a will.

        Sydney Morning Herald
        Saturday 17 August 1929, page 21



        Publican licences

        This information can help locate your ancestors' residences and places of work, especially if they moved around a lot.



        Sydney Morning Herald
        Friday 16 June 1922, page 6


        Bathurst Free Press
        Saturday 17 August 1850, page 1




        Shipping information

        Looking up the ship that carried your ancestors to Australia can help you to find out a huge amount of contextual information about the ship itself and its passengers.

        Sydney Morning Herald
        Tuesday 16 March 1880, page 8

        Thank you messages

        Family members would sometimes publish thank you messages to those who attended family events such as funerals and weddings.



        Sydney Morning Herald
        Saturday 4 August 1906, page 10



        Visitors

        When family members returned to visit towns where they had been born or lived for some time, their return was often published in the local newspaper.


        The Western Herald
        Friday 27 June 1947 page 1



        Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative
        Thursday 8 February 1934, page 2


        If you'd like to find out more tips about using TROVE, check our Barbara's Kernos' blogpost Free E book - Getting the most out of Trove from Wednesday, August 5, 2015. On her blogpost, you'll find a link to her great free book called "Getting the most out of TROVE for genealogy" (2015) by Barbara Kernos from the Genealogy Boomerangs blog.




        Also, Episode 45 of the Genies Down Under podcast has all sorts of ideas and tips for using TROVE for family history: TROVE stuff for genies: Delving into the treasures of one of our best Australian family history resources (July 2015). Also see the Shownotes for Episode 45.



        Have you discovered any family history treasures using TROVE newspapers?