e-NEWSLETTER
February 2009

QFHS Snippets - February  2009 Volume 9, No. 2

Februry 2009

Table of Contents

1. About This Newsletter
2. About QFHS Gaythorne Centre
3. QFHS Dates to Remember
4. AFFHO Services to Family History Awards
5. Q 150 Pre-Separation Stories
6. Bundaberg Regional Council Web Site
7. Queensland State Archives
8. Beginning Research at Queensland State Archives
9. Queensland Turns 150 in 2009
10. Discharge Certificate Seeking a Home
11. Shake Your Family Tree at the National Archives
12. Hawkesbury Advocate Newspaper 1899-1900 Index
13. Integrated UK BDM Links
14. Close Spellings Count Towards Matches
15. Library and Archives Canada
16. Online People Finder
17. Genealogical Definitions
18. 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

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

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, 18 February 2009.

Brian Ogden, Information Officer, Museum of Brisbane will talk on "Names behind the places".
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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 March 2009.

Contact Maureen Mutton on 3265 4378 if you would like to attend.
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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: 28 March 2009.

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

Marie Stewart's workshop will demonstrate ways to preserve precious documents and photos. Participants are invited to bring along their own photos to work on. The workshop will be held on Friday, 6 March from Noon to 2:30pm. Cost is only $5.00.

Bookings are essential and should be made to the QFHS library during its open hours on (07) 3355 3369.   Top of page
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Educational Workshops

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
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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, 26 March 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 meeting: Saturday, 21 March 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 and Friday, 6 March 2009.

For further details, please contact Garth Elvery on (07) 3359 2853 or email: theboss@powerup.com.au
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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
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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, 21 February, commencing at 9:30am and Friday, 20 March 2009 at 10am.

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
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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   Top of page
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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, 22 March 2009.

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

4. AFFHO Services to Family History Awards

Congratulations to two of our members who were awarded Australian Federation of Family History Organisations 2009 Services to Family History Awards at the Congress in Auckland, New Zealand.  The award is very prestigious as it is only made every three years and only one or two awards are given.
 
Paul Mackett's award recognises the extensive indexes that he has compiled on publicly available Aboriginal records.  The areas covered are Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales. The results of his research are available on the internet.
 
Shauna Hicks is a foundation member of the Society (Membership No. 007) and for her many services to QFHS and is also a Fellow.  Shauna's award recognises the extensive work she has done not only for QFHS but also for HAGSOC (Canberra) and GSV. Shauna's years of service can only be described as total dedication.   Top of page

5. Q 150 Pre-Separation Stories

The Publications Committee would like to extend their thanks to all those who submitted their stories for submission in the forthcoming CD and book titled Queensland Founding Families: Biographies of Families who resided in Queensland before separation from New South Wales. The response was wonderful; far exceeding our greatest expectations. This of course has meant that a great deal of work has already been done, and will still need to be done, before the editing and processing of the approximately 700 stories that we have received is completed.

The final date for submissions was 31 December 2008. However, several stories have been received after that date, and these late stories will be held in a separate database for inclusion in any future addendum or re-prints.

Bob Annand - Coordinator of the Pre-Separation Group.

6. Bundaberg Regional Council Web Site

Bundaberg Regional Council administers nine cemeteries across its region.  Work is currently being undertaken to add all cemetery burial information into a single database, and this work will be completed in the 2009.  This free database is very easy to work with.
Try looking for ancestors at: http://bundaberg.qld.gov.au/services/cemeteries/   Top of page

7. Queensland State Archives

Here's a chance for you to do some research at the State Archives on a Saturday. The Archives will be open from 9am to 4:30pm during 2009 on these Saturdays:

14 February
14 March
11 April
9 May
13 June
11 July
8 August
12 September
10 October
14 November
12 December

Further information contact the Manager, Public Access at info@archives.qld.gov.au or by phoning (07) 3131 7777.

8. Beginning Research at Queensland State Archives

 This seminar focuses on how to carry out research using the Queensland State Archives collection. Learn how best to find the information you are seeking and pick up useful hints and tips from one of the experienced Reference Archivists.

This event will be held on Wednesday, 11 February from 10am to 11am at Lecture Theatre 2 at the State Archives located at 435 Compton Rd, Runcorn.
Entry is free. Book your place by calling: (07) 3131 7777.   Top of page

9. Queensland Turns 150 in 2009

Queensland celebrates 150 years of independence from New South Wales on 10 December 2009. This milestone provides a unique opportunity to celebrate Queensland throughout 2009.

To find out about the celebrations, check out the Q150 website at:
http://www.q150.qld.gov.au/index.aspx

10. Discharge Certificate Seeking a Home

Barbara Kinsela has come into possession of the army Discharge Certificate of Reginald Salmon, but has no connection to him and would like to pass it on to a member of his family.  He was discharged in Sydney on 25 February 1919, but was born in or near Brisbane and gave Coorparoo as his intended place of residence.  If you know of someone in this family, please contact Barbara on (07) 3807 3473.

11. Shake Your Family Tree at the National Archives

On 25 February 2009 join the National Archives to shake your family tree! It's a great opportunity to begin your family history journey with the National Archives.
You can talk to family history experts, conservators and the friendly staff about family history records and resources. Book into one of the seminars on the day and find out how easy it can be to start uncovering your own unique story.
This free event will run from 10am to 4pm at National Archives - 16 Corporate Dr, Cannon Hill, Brisbane.
More details can be found at: http://www.naa.gov.au/whats-on/events/shake-qld-2009.aspx

12. Hawkesbury Advocate Newspaper 1899-1900 Index  

This index contains over 5,000 entries extracted from the Hawkesbury Advocate newspaper, which was based in Windsor, N.S.W., encompassing the two year period of 1899 to 1900, detailing references to many events  including: Accident, Arrival in colony, Birthday, Business sold, Death, Dog attack victim, Election, Farm sale, Horse races, Inquest, Insolvent, Leaving district, Marriage, New business, Probate, Property bought, Railway, Robbery, Snake bite victim, Transfer, Wine license and many, many, many more!

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/h-advo1899-1900.html   Top of page

13. Integrated UK BDM Links

This web site explains what UK records are available and provides 1234 links to other web sites that offer on-line transcriptions of UK births, marriages, deaths and censuses. A wide range of other indexes and transcriptions are also available for most counties, these may include parish records, wills, monumental inscriptions etc.

Check it out at: http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/

14. Close Spellings Count Towards Matches

An interesting on-line article that might make you think more laterally when doing your research. Read it at: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/04/tr-close-spellings-count-toward-matches/

15. Library and Archives Canada

For those of us researching in Canada, you will love this site! It has tips and guides for genealogists, plus links to other sites.
Have fun at: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/genealogy/index-e.html   Top of page

16. Online People Finder

An interesting online service exists to help locate people across a range of other web services. It will check in "deep web" services such as linkedin, wordpress, facebook, myspace, classmates, friendsreunited, google groups, the usenet groups, news services, and many others looking for the footprints that individuals may have left on the internet.

Enjoy searching at: http://www.pipl.com/

17. Genealogical Definitions  

* Baby: (n) A new acorn on the family tree
* Cemetery: (n) A marble orchard not to be taken for granite
* Cussin: what genealogists do when they can't find one
* Floor: (n) The place for storing your priceless genealogy records
* Genealogists: Time unravellers
* Genealogist: One always in search of a good dead man!
* Genealogy: People collecting people!
* Genealogy: Looking for needles in haystacks
* Genealogy: Collecting dead relatives and sometimes a live cousin!
* Genealogy: The marriage of a jigsaw puzzle to a dungeon & dragons game
* Genealogy: Tracing descent from someone who didn't
* Genealogy: Tracing yourself back to better people
* Documentation: the worst part of genealogy
* Documentation: the hardest part of genealogy
* Family History: a quilt work of lives
* Kinship: it's all relative!
* Relatives: people who come to dinner who aren't friends
* Puritanism: the fear that someone somewhere is happy
* Research: What I'm doing, when I don't know what I'm doing   Top of page

18. 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 2009 Vol 9 No. 1). The last six months issues of Snippets are available from: http://www.qfhs.org.au/snippets.htm

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