Geneagala Success

Thanks to all who were involved with our 3rd Annual Geneagala for National Family History Month last Saturday. With the support of Neil and Karen from Hornsby Library, guest speaker Christine Yeats, member presenters and a healthy audience of members and visitors lots of learning and networking took place.

Coordinator Coral Shand, Guest Chris Yeats, Presenter Jill Ball

Neil Chippendale shares the news on the British Newspaper Archive

Presenter Lyn Parsons spoke on Early NSW Church Records

Prizewinner Maureen with coordinator Coral.

Martyn Killion

The guest speaker for our meeting in National Family History Month is Martyn Killion, Manager Public Access, State Archives and Records NSW.

You are invited to join us at 2:00pm on Wednesday 16 August at Hornsby Central Library to hear Martyn tell us about the State Archives Website and how the resources there can help us with our family history research.

Martyn has been involved in genealogy for 40 years. He  is a qualified information professional with experience in Arts NSW who has also worked at the State Library of NSW.  In addition to supporting family historians through his work in  the State Archives Martyn holds voluntary positions in the genealogy arena. He is currently President of The Society of Australian Genealogists  and is on the organising committee for Congress 2018.

We are privileged to have Martyn as our National Family History Month guest.

 

Family History for You

In celebration of National Family History Month Hornsby Shire Family History Group will be hosting its 3rd Annual Geneagala in conjuction with Hornsby Library.

When: Saturday 12th August 2017, 10:00 am to 3pm

Where: Hornsby Central Library, 28-44 George St, Hornsby

This event is open to all those with an interest in their family history, there is something on the program for beginners to experienced genies.

Sydney genealogist and historian, Christine Yeats, our special guest will be the first speaker on our program.

Family History for You – Program

10:00 am Welcome – Coral Shand, Hornsby Shire Family History Group

10:15 Is there really nothing there? – Family history research in the 21st century – Christine Yeats

11:30  National Archives of Australia: records for family history – Coral Shand

12:15 The British Newspaper Archive – Neil Chippendale

1:00 Beginning Family History: 10 rules, 10 tips, 10 resources – Jill Ball

1:45 Early Church Records/Films for NSW – Lyn Parsons

2:15 Using Trove and online newspapers for research – Jill Ball

2:45 Prize Draw – Main Prize A gift certificate from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies (NIGS) for any online course from a choice of over 200 courses  – Coral Shand

Genealogy Clinic

10:30 – 10:30 to 2:45 with Hornsby Shire FHG volunteers in the Esther Wait Room and Computer Room

Drop in to the Geneaclinic throughout the day for:

• Help for beginners
• Assistance with Hornsby Library’s online resources (Ancestry, FindMyPast and My Heritage) and other resources
• Help with Brickwalls and research problems
• Tips for organising your research
•  A chat with Hornsby Shire FHG members

At 2:45 pm there will be a prize draw for those in attendance.

For further information please contact:
Coral Shand, Coordinator  cshand21@gmail.com
Jill Ball, Communications  jillballau@gmail.com 
Local Studies, Hornsby Shire Library & Information Service.

Christine Yeats

Christine will be the star turn at our 3rd Annual Geneagala “Family History for you“. When: Saturday 12 August 2017, 10:00am to 3pm
Where: Hornsby Central Library, 28-44 George St, Hornsby

 

Christine Yeats is an archivist and historical researcher. Over her 35 year career ─ much of it with State Archives NSW ─ she implemented a number of key initiatives aimed at improving access to the State’s archives.

Currently National President of the Independent Scholars Association of Australia (ISAA), Chair of ISAA’s NSW Chapter, Senior Vice President of the Royal Australian Historical Society and chair of the Assessment Committee of the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register.

Over the course of Christine’s career she contributed to a wide range of publications and spoke at national and international conferences. Since retiring from full-time work she has continued to undertake research and publish articles based on this work.

The full program for the event can be accessed here.

News from Familysearch

News Release from Familysearch

New Historic Records on FamilySearch: Week of July 10, 2017

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, 14 July 2017–FamilySearch published new historic records this week from Brazil (about 4 million civil registration records), Chile, France, Netherlands, New Jersey, Nicaragua, Ohio, Peru, Russia, and BillionGraves. Search then for free at FamilySearch or by clicking on the links in the interactive table below. (Find and share this announcement online in the FamilySearch Newsroom).

Collection	Indexed Records	Digital Images	Comments
BillionGraves Index	286,762	286,762	Added indexed records and images to an existing collection
Brazil, Pernambuco, Civil Registration, 1804-2014	2,480,472	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
Brazil, Piauí, Civil Registration, 1875-2013	1,458,383	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
Chile Civil Registration, 1885-1903	12,575	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
France, Coutances et d’Avranche Diocese, Catholic Parish Records, 1533-1894	22,347	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
Netherlands, Archival Indexes, Miscellaneous Records	747,018	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
New Jersey State Census, 1895	500,743	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
Nicaragua Civil Registration, 1809-2013	78,964	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
Ohio, Crawford County Obituaries, 1860-2004	484,319	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
Peru, Cajamarca, Civil Registration, 1938-1996	1,133	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
Russia, Samara Church Books, 1779-1923	0	5,039	Added images to an existing collection

Searchable historic records are made available on FamilySearch.org through the help of thousands of volunteers from around the world. These volunteers transcribe (index) information from digital copies of handwritten records to make them easily searchable online. More volunteers are needed (particularly those who can read foreign languages) to keep pace with the large number of digital images being published online at FamilySearch.org. Learn more about volunteering to help provide free access to the world’s historic genealogical records online at FamilySearch.org/indexing.

A Learned Member

Congratulations to member Garry Smith who recently completed the Diploma in Family Historical Studies with The Society of Australian Genealogists (SAG).

Garry was presented with his Diploma at a ceremony at the Society on May 13.

 

L-R Janette Pelosi, Garry Smith, Unknown, Martyn Killion (SAG President)

 

Australian Royalty at Hornsby

The theme of our General Meeting last Wednesday was Convicts. Eight members shared stories of their convict ancestors – it’s amazing that we are all such upright citizens when we reflect on the deeds of some of our ancestors.

A show of hands indicated that most of those present were Australian Royalty (ie descendants of convicts). We gathered the least shy of that regal group for a photo.