QFHS Snippets - January 2010 Volume 10, No. 1


Happy New Year to all our members and Snippets readers!
 
The New Year brings a calendar of events for you to attend including: the Trout Game, Special Interest Group meetings, Queensland State Archives Open Day, Government House Open Day and the re-opening of QFHS library on 11 January.
 
Your society has been busy compiling and launching a book on Queensland Founding Families and a CD of Commonwealth Electoral Rolls.
 
Read about the unusual names that people have been given and the top ten internet abbreviations for genealogists.
 
Happy researching!
 
Pauline Macfarlane

Please to send your Snippets pieces to us at: snippets@qfhs.org.au

Table of Contents

  1. About This Newsletter
  2. QFHS Gaythorne Centre
  3. QFHS Dates to Remember
  4. QFHS Trout Game
  5. Launches of CD & Book
  6. Open Day - Government House - Australia Day
  7. Queensland State Archives 2010 Saturday Openings
  8. Queensland State Archives 2010 Seminars
  9. Queensland BDM Release
  10. Queensland Places
  11. South-East Queensland Cemeteries Headstone Photo Collection
  12. Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) - Provenance
  13. 25% of Australians Descended from Aristocracy
  14. Scottish Records - Trade Directories
  15. GenQueries.com - The Online Database of Genealogy
  16. Unusual Names - Celebrities Have Nothing on the Rest of Us
  17. Top Ten Internet Abbreviations for Genealogists
  18. Acknowledgements

    19.

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 via: snippets@qfhs.org.au
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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, 17 February 2010. Ralph Waters will talk on Charting.   Top of page
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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, 1 February 2010.

Contact Maureen Mutton on 3265 4378 if you would like to attend.   Top of page
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Central European Group

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

The next meeting will be on 23 January 2010 at the QFHS library. Bring your questions in for the experts to answer!

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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Computer Training Courses, 2010

Do you want to know how to make best use of the computer-based resources at the QFHS library? Perhaps you would like more information on family history research in the Internet. In 2010, the Society will be holding two computer training courses to introduce the use of computers in family history research. Each course comprises two sessions. One course will be held in the first half of the year; and will be repeated in the second half of the year with all sessions being held at the QFHS library at Gaythorne. Please note these courses are offered to QFHS members only.

Saturday, 6 March 2010 from 9am - 12 Noon
    'CD-based resources at Gaythorne'
The aim of the session is to familiarise participants with the layout of the computer room, the types of resources available, and how to access these resources.

Saturday, 1 May 2010 from 9am - 12 Noon
    'Check These Out!
This session will introduce just some of the many genealogical sites on the Internet. The session will cover the use of search engines, Internet security, the range of resources available, and how the information available is collected. 

Please note that due to limitations in computer hardware, both of these sessions will be in a demonstration mode, as we do not have the facilities at this time for a hands-on approach. The numbers are limited to 16 places at each session. If you are not confident in the use of computers and the Internet, there is an optional introduction at starting at 8.30 am on both Saturday, 6 March and Saturday, 1 May.

More sessions will be held on Saturday, 7 August and Saturday, 4 September.

The cost is $11 per session; however, if you are a library assistant, the cost is $2.75 per session. Both prices include GST. Should you wish to attend either or both of these sessions, please email Sue Reid on: smreid@tpg.com.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.

Next workshop dates is:
For bookings - contact Desley Schafer - phone (07) 3204 4254 or email: educationofficer@qfhs.org.au   Top of page
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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, 28 January 2010.

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, 16 January 2010.

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 normally 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 will be held on Friday, 5 February and Saturday, 27 February..

For further details, please contact Kerri Kleidon or Joe Greaves or email: familytree@qfhs.org.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, 13 February, 2010. Charlie Nolan will present. "Did They Swim?". This talk will contain the latest news on Shipping records and much more.

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

Next orientations: Saturday, 20 February and Friday, 19 March.

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, 13 March 2010.

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, 24 January 2010.

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

4.    QFHS Trout Game

Allow yourself the privilege of having a fun day in family history and play the Trout Game!

The game involves researching an English family (the Trout family) using eleven types of records. The aim is to see if you can get back to the 1500s. Use the game to see how good a researcher you are and find out why you may have brick-walls in your research.

It will be played on Sunday, 7 March 2010 from 10am to 4pm at the QFHS Library. Cost is only $5.00 per person with Game Master Ann Swain presiding

Numbers are limited and early bookings are essential. Morning and afternoon tea is provided; BYO lunch.

To book your spot, email president@qfhs.org.au or telephone (07) 3352 5537  Top of page

5. Launches of CD & Book

As part of the Q150 celebrations, the Queensland Family History Society invited persons who had family in Queensland before Separation (10 December 1859) to submit a short biography of their forebear/s.  This attracted an unprecedented response with over 750 biographies received from 337 authors.  The Book is titled: Queensland Founding Families: Biographies of families living in Queensland prior to separation from New South Wales

The project was co-ordinated by a dedicated team led by Bob and Wendy Annand and a production team comprising Rosemary Kopittke, Mary Geiger, and Jackie Buttress. The biographies were first released on CD in August at a launch by Dr Denver Beanland at Newstead House. The second phase of this project was to produce the biographies in printed form - the print version was launched by QFHS President Ann Swain at a special function for over 150 guests on 12 December. It consists of approx 850 pages in 2 volumes - the soft cover set is available from the QFHS library (after it opens again on 11 January) or by mail order at $110 per set plus $12.50 postage in Queensland ($94 plus P&P for QFHS personal members and contributors).

Compiling the stories into the CD and book versions of the publication involved many thousands of hours work by volunteers but the effort has been well worth it - we now have a fantastic record of many of our earliest families. Further details are available at http://www.qfhs.org.au/Founding.html

On Proclamation Day, 10 December, another Queensland FHS Q150 publication, Commonwealth Electoral Roll (Queensland) 1959: One hundred years on, was launched at the National Archives of Australia by David Swift, Director NAA, Brisbane.

This CD indexes the details from the Commonwealth Electoral Rolls for electors registered in Queensland in 1959 - the sixth in the series by QFHS. The entries for the approximately 783,000 electors cover name, title, sex, place of living, occupation, roll number, subdivision and division. The index allows direct searching on name, place of living and the other details. The CD includes maps showing the division boundaries and detailed maps of the electorates.

 Both projects were supported by the Queensland Government through its Q150 Community Funding Program and will provide invaluable research resources to those with Queensland ancestry.

Further information is available at http://www.qfhs.org.au/electoralrolls.html   Top of page

6. Open Day - Government House - Australia Day

The Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley and Mr Stuart McCosker invite you to Open Day at Government House on Australia Day, 26 January, 2010 from 10am - 3pm.

Entry is free and the entire family can enjoy the historic buildings and gardens. Musical entertainment will be provided with the traditional firing of the cannon at 1pm. Bring your own picnic to enjoy on the lawns or have a sausage sizzle with hot and cold drinks on sale. Guided tours of the house and grounds will also be given.

Don't miss this opportunity to visit Government House at 168 Fernberg Road, Paddington. For more details, go to: http://www.govhouse.qld.gov.au/   Top of page

7. Queensland State Archives 2010 Saturday Openings

In 2010, Queensland State Archives will be open to the public on the second Saturday of every calendar month from 9am to 4:30pm.

The 2010, Saturday opening dates are:
Queensland State Archives are located at 435 Compton Road, Runcorn, Queensland. For more details, go to http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/research/hours.asp   Top of page

8. Queensland State Archives 2010 Seminars

New researchers will be keen to attend a Getting Started seminar held on Tuesday, 19 January 2010 from 10am at 435 Compton Road, Runcorn. The seminar is presented by a Queensland State Archives' Reference Archivist and provides new researchers with the basics to start their research using the public records from the Archives.

An ArchivesSearch seminar will be held on Tuesday, 16 February 2010 from 10am. This seminar will give researchers an introduction to finding records using the Queensland State Archives' online catalogue, ArchivesSearch.

The Russian community in Queensland will be the subject of a seminar and display which will be unveiled as part of Harmony Day celebrations on Friday 19 March 2010 from 10am.

For more information on the above seminars, go to: http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/events.asp#seminars To book your seminar seat, call (07) 3131 7777.   Top of page

9. Queensland BDM Release

The following historical records have been made available for research online:
Have fun searching for ancestors at: http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/search-historical-records.htm   Top of page

10. Queensland Places

The Queensland Places web site includes over 1100 entries on settlements in Queensland that now have or once had populations of 500 or more. The entries include cities, towns, villages and suburbs. Some of the entries are on gold rush or other mining towns where the population proved quite short-lived, from Ravenshoe to the Palmer River. Others are on settlements where the population has varied remarkably over time, and in some cases gone up rapidly, gone down rapidly, and then increased again, as in the case of Port Douglas and Cooktown.

Also included are entries on the suburbs of our major cities and regional towns. Such entries will need regular updating as the population grows or declines, reflecting demographic changes in both well established and recently established suburbs. Most place databases only include suburbs which have become notable for some reason, but in Queensland Places we have tried to include all suburbs with populations of over 500. Today well over two thirds of Queensland's population lives in the suburbs of Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

Check it out at: http://queenslandplaces.com.au/about-queensland-places/   Top of page

11. South-East Queensland Cemeteries Headstone Photo Collection

This collection of headstone and memorial photos is intended mostly to cover cemeteries for which there are no online lists of names.

Check it out at:  http://www.chapelhill.homeip.net/FamilyHistory/Photos/index.htm

12. Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) - Provenance

Provenance is the free scholarly journal of Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) which holds the archives of the State of Victoria. Provenance features articles and other contributions that present research drawing upon records in PROV custody. Provenance Issue No 8 - 2009 is now available online at: http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/provenance/ Previous issues are also available for your perusal at this address.

If you are researching PROV records and have an interest in writing an article then consider submitting an article to Provenance. We are now calling for articles for the 2010 issue of Provenance. The submission deadline for the upcoming issue is 31 March 2010. Prospective authors can find further information about submitting articles in the Brief  for contributors at:  http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/provenance/   Top of page

13. 25% of Australians Descended from Aristocracy

Australians might be known for having a convict past but almost a quarter were descended from English aristocracy or a famous historical figure, a survey has found. The new research, commissioned by family history website Ancestry.com.au, surveyed more than 1000 people who researched their family history.

Read more here: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26517140-5003402,00.html

14. Scottish Records - Trade Directories

Familyrelatives has announced the addition of over a quarter of a million Victorian Scottish Trade Directory records online.

Slater's Royal National Commercial Directory is record of all aspects of life in Scotland in 1889. Apart from Topographical and Postal Information it contains lists of professionals, landowners, Gentry, farmers, factors, London and Provincial Bankers and a fascinating array of advertisements at the time accompanies the text.

The Slater's Directories form a unique collection of 35 Scottish Counties with invaluable occupational and commercial information for 1889. The directories, with over a quarter of a million entries contain all the major professions, trades and occupations including taverns and public houses as well as the nobility, gentry and clergy. Even the addresses are identified.

Towns and parishes are detailed for each area and the introduction contains key information including the number of inhabitants (taken from the 1871 census) with a geographical and topographical description and the local history. A description of the main trades, produce, manufacturers and industries of the area or town are also covered.

The collection is searchable by surname and forename or the business name for each of the 35 counties. The Trade directories provide an invaluable resource for family history researchers wanting to know more about the area where their ancestors lived and the various trades and businesses where they worked.

Access is via an annual subscription of £30.00 or US$50.00 at http://www.familyrelatives.com/

The trade directories are available here: http://tinyurl.com/yflhhgj   Top of page

15. GenQueries.com - The Online Database of Genealogy

This is a free service that provides an online database for genealogy queries for individuals as well as advertisements for societies, professional and amateur genealogy researchers, authors, publishers, genealogy web sites, adoptee searches, and others.
Check it out and perhaps enter a few queries of your own at: http://www.GenQueries.com/

16. Unusual Names - Celebrities Have Nothing on the Rest of Us

Who among us wasn't at least a little befuddled upon first encountering the names Moon Unit Zappa and Moxie Crimefighter Jillette? Contrary to popular belief, though, celebrities have nothing on the rest of us. Distinctive names have been with us through the ages. Want proof?

Read more here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/megan-smolenyak-smolenyak/name-game-celebrities-hav_b_398631.html   Top of page

17. Top Ten Internet Abbreviations for Genealogists

10. AFAICTWDAR - As far as I can tell without doing actual research
9.   IYKWIM - If you know what "inbreeding" means
8.   AMOUFL - As a matter of unfounded family legend
7.   SCNRPYI - Sorry, could not resist proving your illegitimacy
6.   IMPGHO - In my paternal grandmother's humble opinion
5.   NIFOMR - Naked in front of microfilm reader
4.   TIABIDITTYA - Thanks in advance because I don't intend to thank you afterwards
3.   KMA - Kiss my ahnentafel
2.   ROFTBPR - Rolling on the floor transcribing British parish registers
1.   BTWYA - By the way, you're adopted   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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