You can’t have one without the other…

As we become interested in researching our family history we get to the stage where we want to go beyond names, dates and events to learn about the places our ancestors lived, played and worked.

Just like Love and Marriage and Horses and Carriages, Family History goes together with Local History.

In our local area The Hornsby Shire Historical Society Inc aims to to encourage the study of the history of Hornsby Shire, to foster an interest in the history of Hornsby Shire, to compile authentic records, and to collect, preserve and exhibit objects which have affected, and will continue to affect, the lifestyle and occupations of the residents of Hornsby Shire, both past and present.

At our monthly meeting tomorrow, 21 September at 2:00pm in Hornsby Library Mari Metzke from The Hornsby Shire Historical Society Inc will join us as our guest speaker to tell us about the Society, its resources and how it can help our members add to the stories of their ancestors from our area.

We will endeavour to organise a tour of the facilities of The Hornsby Shire Historical Society Inc  in our eductional program for 2017.

State Library Visit

HSFHG members attended a tour of the State Library of New South Wales on Thursday 1st September.

Members Gather

We began with a talk about the locations and resources specially for family historians. Our two presenters were very happy to give a live demonstration of how to access and use online resources. A number of members appreciated the hints for using the SMH archive. Our tour took us through the family history section and down into the “stack” where most of their resources are kept.

Down in the stacks

We then went on to the Mitchell Reading Room and learnt about using the Special Collections. Many of us have already updated our blue reader’s card to a gold one so we can access this area. All 19 attendees thoroughly enjoyed the talk and tour, and all had a list of things to follow up.

Mitchell Reading Room

Thanks to Jill Ball and Bronwyn Ross for making it happen, and to John O’Brien and Jimmy Pike for the photos.

–  Coral Shand –

Cast your votes now

Voting has now opened in the 2016 Rockstar Genealogists Awards.  Two of our members, Sharn White and Jill Ball, as well as two of our recent guest speakers, Kerry Farmer and Heather Garnsey, appear on this list.

Take a look at the list and cast your votes in this annual international event now. Voting will close at 6 pm EDT on Sunday 11 September.

VOTE HERE

Trove Tuesday – Waddell Wedding

Celebrated in Hornsby 113 years ago.  There are still members of the Waddell family in the area today.

1903 ‘Hornsby.’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 – 1950), 29 August, p. 10. , viewed 09 Aug 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article85687598

 

But wait, there’s more…

It’s  National Family History Month and we have one more treat in store for you.  Heather Garnsey, Executive Officer at The Society of Australian Genealogists will be the guest speaker at our August Meeting.  You can read about Heather and her involvement in the genealogy world in this interview from last year.

We look forward to seeing you and your friends at this event.

Celebrating Family History

In spite of the fact that our Geneagala Day clashed with the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Olympics in Rio we had a healthy turnout for our National Family History Month event held at Hornsby Library yesterday.

Members and visitors at the Geneagala

Thanks to Neil Chippendale from the Library who set up our areas and to the dozen or so Hornsby Shire Family History Group volunteers who worked throughout the day  meeting, greeting and mentoring people.

There was a good rollup to hear guest speaker (and local resident) Kylie Rees from The History Company talk to us about Archiving our digital records.

Kylie’s Presentation

Kylie Rees

Our members Coral Shand and Jill Ball also gave presentations during the day while a band of volunteers helped visitors solve their family history problems.

One of our members, Bronwyn, won the gift certificate for a free course from NIGS (The National Institute for Genealogical Studies while a member, Diana, won the bottle of wine.

At the conclusion of the event all of the attendees agreed that they had learnt something new….what more could we ask for?

National Family History Month Geneagala Day

As part of our celebrations of National Family History Month, Hornsby Shire Family History Group in conjunction with Hornsby Shire Library invite you to attend our FREE Geneagala Day. Library staff and group members will be on hand to offer guidance throughout the day.

When: Saturday 6 August 2016, 10:15 am to 3pm

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

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Talks in the Main Meeting Room

10:20 Welcome  – Coral Shand, Hornsby Shire FHG Co-ordinator

10:30 – 11:30 Archiving Digital Records – Kylie Rees, Preservation Australia

12:00 – 1:00 Golden Rules of Genealogy – Coral Shand

1:30 – 2:30 21st Century Genealogy: Technology and software to support your research – Jill Ball

Genealogy Clinic

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

Drop in 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.

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For further details please email Jill Ball or Coral Shand.