e-NEWSLETTER
December 2008

QFHS Snippets - December  2008 Volume 8, No. 12

December 2008
Welcome to Snippets - the last edition for 2008 - where did that year go?

Get your 2009 calendar out now and start marking in dates for our meetings, educational workshops and Government House open day.

The Snippets team wishes you a Joyous and Peaceful Christmas. We look forward to keeping you informed of Genealogical happenings in 2009.

Table of Contents

  1. About This Newsletter
  2. QFHS Gaythorne Centre
  3. QFHS Dates to Remember
  4. Can You Help?
  5. Reminder - Q 150 Pre-Separation Stories
  6. WorldVitalRecords.com
  7. Queensland State Archives
  8. SLQ Family History Networking Event
  9. Government House Open Day
  10. School Admission Registers
  11. Manning River Times newspaper index 1921 and 1925
  12. Behind the Name
  13. Abbreviations on Gravestones
  14. Old Occupations
  15. Medical Terms
  16. English-German Glossary
  17. Season's Greetings
  18. Genealogist's Christmas Wish List
  19. Acknowledgements

1.    About This Newsletter

Snippets is a monthly publication of the Queensland Family History Society Inc. (QFHS). QFHS Website http://www.qfhs.org.au/

Please do not click on reply to contact Snippets - the 'click on reply' facility is strictly for 'un-subscribing' to the mailing list.

You are encouraged to contribute items which you feel would be of general interest to the family historian hunting for that illusive relative. Humorous items and items relating to the technology of using computers in genealogy are also welcome. Submit your BRIEF items supplemented by hyperlinks to additional details.

Snippets will rarely include items of a commercial nature and only then when they are likely to be of interest to a majority of our readers.

Submit your items to us here: snippets@qfhs.org.au   Top of page

2.    QFHS Gaythorne Centre

Our address is:
58 Bellevue Ave,
Gaythorne QLD 4051
QFHS library - (07) 3355 3369

For details about QFHS Centre, including location map, transport etc, click here: http://www.qfhs.org.au/location_hours.htm#Library

A reminder that our library closes on Sunday, 14 December for its end of year stocktake by Santa's elves. The library will reopen at 7pm on Monday, 12 January 2009.   Top of page

3.    QFHS Dates to Remember

QFHS Monthly General Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month (but not in January and December), at the QFHS Library, and start at 7:30pm. Attendance is free, and visitors are welcome

Next Meeting: Wednesday, 25 February 2009.

Brian Ogden, Information Officer, Museum of Brisbane will talk on "Names behind the places".
________________________________________

QFHS Daytime Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month (but not in January and December) at 20 Marmont Street, Geebung from 10am - 12 Noon.

Next Meeting: Monday 2 February 2009.

Contact Maureen Mutton on 3265 4378 if you would like to attend.
________________________________________

Central European Group

Meetings are held 10am - Noon on the 4th Saturday of each odd-numbered month at QFHS Library. A $2 donation goes toward purchasing relevant records.

Next Meeting: 24 January 2009.

For further information, contact Eric Kopittke on (07) 3376 4339 or email kopittke@tpg.com.au OR centraleuropean@qfhs.org.au  Top of page
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 Educational Workshop

Cost is $5.50 per person which goes towards purchasing more research materials for the Library. Time - 10am to 12 noon at QFHS Library.
Workshop dates for 2009 are: 
* Sunday, 22 February - "Where to Begin"
* Sunday, 26 April - "How to Keep Your Records in Order"
* Sunday, 28 June - "Where to Begin"
* Sunday, 30 August - "How to Keep Your Records in Order"
* Sunday, 25 October - "Where to Begin"
 
For bookings - contact Desley Schafer - phone (07) 3204 4254 or email: educationofficer@qfhs.org.au
________________________________________

English West Country Group

This group researches the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Meetings are held from 12 Noon - 2pm at the QFHS Library, on the fourth Thursday of the odd-numbered months.

Next meeting: Thursday, 22 January 2009.

For further information contact Robert Browning on (07) 3359 9801 or email: robertbb2@bigpond.com
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Family History Writing Group

These meetings are held from 9am - 11am at QFHS Library.

Next meetings: Saturday, 17 January 2009

For further information contact FHWriters@qfhs.org.au OR Robert Adamson on (07) 3266 8353 OR Sue Reid on (07) 3378 2278.   Top of page
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Family Tree Maker User Group

These meetings run from 10am - 11:30am venue at QFHS Library and are held on 1st Friday each month except January and last Saturday in each even-numbered month except December.

Next meetings are: Friday, 6 February 2009 and Saturday, 28 February 2009.

For further details, please contact Garth Elvery on (07) 3359 2853 or email: theboss@powerup.com.au
________________________________________

Irish Interest Group

Meetings are held from 10am - 12 Noon at QFHS Library on the second Saturday of the even-numbered months (not December).

Next meeting: Saturday, 14 February, 2009.

For more information about Irish Interest Group contact Mary King on (07) 3205 3353 or email irish@qfhs.org.au
________________________________________

Member Orientations - 'Old' & New Members Welcome

You will almost certainly learn new stuff about the Society, and helpful hints about using the Library and researching, all in a friendly atmosphere and informal setting. New members are especially welcome.

Upcoming orientations: Saturday, 13 December and Saturday, 21 February, commencing at 9:30am.

Numbers are limited to allow full participation. BOOKING is ESSENTIAL. Please note: Sessions are usually fully booked, with a waiting list, so please advise the organisers as soon as possible if you find you are unable to attend when you have a booking.

Contact Bev Bonning on (07) 3355 7389 or Wendy Annand on (07) 3395 2530 or email them at welcome@qfhs.org.au   Top of page
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Scottish Interest Group

Meetings are held from 10am - 12 Noon at QFHS Library. Donations to buy more Scottish resources are welcome.
Next meeting: Saturday, 14 March 2009.
For further information: Email scottish@qfhs.org.au OR phone Sam on (07) 3266 9131
________________________________________

Welsh Interest Group

This group meets on the fourth Sunday of the odd numbered months from 10am - 12 Noon at the QFHS Library.

Next meeting is: Sunday, 25 January 2009.

Contact Paul Wood on welsh@qfhs.org.au for further information.   Top of page

4. Can You Help?

An invitation is extended to members who would like to volunteer their services as a Library Assistant, commencing from mid-January 2009.  Vacancies will occur on the following days each month:

First Saturday     1 pm - 4 pm
Fourth Monday   7 pm - 9 pm
Fifth Sunday       1 pm - 4 pm (Fifth Sunday occurs 4 times a year)

Members who are interested in becoming Library Assistants, please contact the Secretary.

5. Reminder - Q 150 Pre-Separation Stories

For anyone who is preparing, or considering to write, a story for submission to the Publishing Committee for inclusion in the forthcoming C/D and book to be released next year, please note that the cut-off date for stories to be accepted is 31 December 2008.

Because of the large number of stories that have already been received, it will not be possible to extend this date for any reason whatsoever.

Remember, please submit your stories electronically by either email attachment to presep@qfhs.org.au or by sending a CD or floppy disc to:

Publishing Committee
P.O. Box 1109
Brighton  4017  Qld.

Should you require any further information or a 'Permission to Publish' form then contact Bob Annand at r.annand@bigpond.net.au or by phone to (07) 3395 2530.   Top of page

6. WorldVitalRecords.com

Over 164,000 hits on our electoral roll data in four weeks! QFHS has recently joined WorldVitalRecords.com as a Content Partner and our members now have full access to the vast WVR collection whilst using the computers in our library.

Established in 2006 by Paul Allen and several others of the original Ancestry team, WorldVitalRecords aims to provide affordable online access to worldwide genealogical and family history resources. After beginning with just 21 databases in 2006, they have experienced a dramatic expansion and currently have over 11,000 databases containing more than 1.3 billion names.

Major collections at WVR include:

* FindMyPast UK censuses (and images) for 1841/1861/1871/1881/1891 with the other years coming
* 485 Archive Digital Books Australia databases (25 million records); also Archive CD Books Canada / USA / Ireland (Enneclan)
* 9,000 Passenger lists from Immigrant Ship Transcribers Guild - includes some ships to AU/NZ ports - 1.3 million records
* Filby's Passenger and Immigration Lists 1500-1900 (USA) - more than 5 million records
* Ellis Island Passenger Arrivals  - more than 24.4 million records
* An expanding collection of US / Canadian census images and indexes

Check out the WVR home page at http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/ then browse by country or by type of record to see their full holdings and their affordable subscription rates. QFHS recently added around 4 million records from the work done by our indexing team to the WVR collection. We will be paid a royalty for each record accessed. Newly added records are available "free" for a limited 10 day period following their addition to the collection.

Existing QFHS index CDs remain available for purchase from our bookstore or online at http://www.qfhs.org.au/ - if you are having trouble locating your family then the more powerful search techniques and wildcards they employ will still find that elusive family.   Top of page

7. Queensland State Archives

This is your last chance to visit the State Archives on a Saturday in 2008; this month on 13 December, from 9am to 4:30 pm.

8. SLQ Family History Networking Event

The State Library of Queensland will be holding this workshop and information session on Saturday, 10 January 2009 from 10am to 12 Noon.  Representatives of Queensland Family History Society will join representatives from the Church of Latter Day Saints, the SLQ Family History Section, and Genealogical Society of Queensland.  The representatives will provide information on their resources and will be available afterwards for questions and discussions. 

The venue will be the State Library of Queensland Auditorium, level 2. Tickets are $9.50 which includes morning tea. Book your place at:    https://www.qtix.com.au/index.aspx or Telephone: 136 246.

9. Government House Open Day

You're invited! The Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO and Mr Stuart McCosker invite you to enjoy historic buildings, spectacular gardens and tranquil bushland - all in inner Brisbane.

The Open Day will be held on Monday, 26 January 2009 (Australia Day) from 10am to 3pm.

Entry is free and you are welcome to BYO picnic on the lawns whilst listening to the military band.

Don't miss this opportunity to visit Government House at: 168 Fernberg Road, Paddington.

For more information go to: http://www.govhouse.qld.gov.au/

10. School Admission Registers

A number of new series have recently been added to ArchivesSearch at Queensland State Archives.

Of particular interest to researchers may be a number of school admission registers with the following schools now represented in the collection: Chinchilla State High School, Caboolture State High School, Kepnock State High School, Mount Isa State High School, Arcadia Valley State School, Dallarnil State School, Glennie Heights State School, Harristown State School, Hermit Park State Infants School, Kaimkillenbun State School, Wavell Heights State School, Tambo State School, Townview State School, Sunset State School, Peek-A-Doo State School.

Check ArchivesSearch at:   http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/search/default.asp under the name of the school to see which years are available.   Top of page

11. Manning River Times newspaper index 1921 and 1925

This index contains over 6,600 entries extracted from the Manning River Times newspaper, which is based in Taree, New South Wales, encompassing the two year period of 1921 and 1925. Unfortunately, the years of 1922 to 1924 have not survived.

This index details references to many, many events including (but not limited to): Accident, Admission to bar, Adoption, Anniversary, Arrival, Auction, Bequest, Billiard license, Birth, Birthday, Body recovered, Business bought, Business diploma, Death, Degree, Divorce, and so on!
 
The index details the entries stating Name, Event. Age (where stated) and District. This index is available on CD-ROM only, at $30 each (postage free within Australia). Further details of this index are available at:
http://www.gownewspaperindexes.com.au/mrtimes1921%261925.html

12. Behind the Name

Would you like to know the meanings and origins of your first name? This website lists the most popular names and explains their origin.

Have fun at: http://www.behindthename.com/

13. Abbreviations on Gravestones

What do those mysterious letters mean on old headstones?

Try your luck at: http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/misc/grave_symbols.shtml   Top of page

14. Old Occupations

Are you still trying to work out what great-great-great-great grandpa's occupation really was? Many old occupations have changed name or no longer exist. You can discover what your ancestor really did at:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~dav4is/Sources/Occupations.html (with emphasis on England and its 16th and 17th century colonies ) and
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rigenweb/ocupaton.html and
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~genepool/jobs.htm and
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wiashlan/occupations.html and
http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/misc/occupations.shtml

15. Medical Terms

Diseases, medical terms, epidemics and plagues are all listed here.

Read all about it at: http://www.cyndislist.com/medical.htm

16. English-German Glossary

Have you traced your ancestors back to Germany and are having difficulty understanding frequently used genealogy terminology?

This website should be a big help!  http://german.about.com/homework/german/library/blfamilie.htm

17. Season's Greetings

The Management Committee takes this opportunity to extend best wishes to you and your family for a safe and enjoyable Festive Season, and wish every success to one and all throughout 2009.   Top of page

18. A Genealogist's Christmas Wish List

I want ancestors with names like Rudimentary Montagnard or Melchizenick von Steubenhoffmannschild or Spetznatz Giafortoni, not William Brown or John Hunter or Mary Abbott.
  
I want ancestors who could read and write, had their children baptised in recognised houses of worship, went to school, purchased land, left detailed wills (naming a huge extended family as legatees), had their photographs taken once a year - subsequently putting said pictures in elaborate isinglass frames annotated with calligraphic inscriptions, and carved valuable and informative inscriptions in their headstones.

I want relatives who managed to bury their ancestors in established, still-extant (and indexed) cemeteries.

I want family members who wrote memoirs, who enlisted in the military as officers and who served in strategically important (and well-documented) skirmishes.
 
I want relatives who served as councilmen, schoolteachers, county clerks and town historians.

I want relatives who "religiously" wrote in the family Bible, journalising every little event and detailing the familial relationship of every visitor.

In the case of immigrant ancestors, I want them to have arrived only in those years wherein passenger lists were indexed by the National Archives, and I want them to have applied for citizenship, and to have done so only in those jurisdictions which have since established indices.

I want relatives who were patriotic and clubby, who joined every patrimonial society they could find, who kept diaries, and listed all their addresses, who had paintings made of their houses, and who dated every piece of paper they touched.

I want ancestors who were wealthy enough to afford, and to keep for generations, the family homestead, and who left all the aforementioned pictures and diaries and journals intact in the library

But most of all: I want relatives I can FIND!!!   Top of page

19. Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all those who have taken time out to send items of interest to our Snippets mailbox at: snippets@qfhs.org.au

The more we receive, the more frequently we can produce a Newsletter. If your submission does not appear in this issue, we will try to include it in a future edition. Please note that reference to any product does not imply endorsement. Members are cautioned to evaluate products prior to purchase.

Pauline Macfarlane

Disclaimer: This newsletter is produced in good faith, and information received is deemed to be accurate, but the editor takes no responsibility for incorrect information supplied. [Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Editor or of QFHS]

Permission to reprint articles from QFHS 'SNIPPETS' NEWSLETTER is granted unless specifically stated otherwise, provided: (1) the reprint is used for non-commercial, educational purposes; and (2) the following notice appears at the end of the article: "Previously published in QFHS 'SNIPPETS' NEWSLETTER" with the appropriate date and volume number (eg QFHS 'SNIPPETS' NEWSLETTER January 2008 Vol 8 No. 1). The last six months issues of Snippets are available from: http://www.qfhs.org.au/snippets.htm

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