QFHS Snippets - October 2009 Volume 9, No. 10

Another big edition of Snippets for you - loaded with links to explore.

The weather has been so kind to us lately - just right for a trip to the QFHS Library at Gaythorne. Don't forget that we are open on Monday evenings for those who still cannot attend during daytimes or on the weekends.

If you know of a web site or service that we have not included then please sent your contributions to snippets@qfhs.org.au

Table of Contents

  1. About This Newsletter
  2. QFHS Gaythorne Centre
  3. QFHS Dates to Remember
  4. Genealogy Online at Chermside Library.
  5. Descendants of Moggill Pioneers
  6. State Library of Queensland - Shipping Lists for Family Historians
  7. Queensland State Archives Seminars
  8. Queensland State Archives - Nominated Immigrants 1908-1922
  9. More Queensland State Archives Indexes
  10. Rookwood Cemeteries Online
  11. Sydney Benevolent Asylum
  12. Historical Atlas of Sydney
  13. Teapot Genies
  14. LeCouter Family Reunion
  15. National Archives Australia RecordSearch
  16. National Archives of Australia Photo Tips
  17. Historic School Registers on Familyrelatives.com
  18. Nineteenth-Century British Newspapers Online
  19. "The Surreys" War Diaries Online
  20. Changes at National Archives UK
  21. The Public Record Office Northern Ireland (PRONI)
  22. 1911 Census of Ireland
  23. Bombay Soldiers Go Online At FIBIS
  24. Who Do You Think You Are?
  25. Genealogy Toolbar
  26. Preparing, Protecting and Preserving Family Treasures
  27. Confucius Family Tree Unveiled
  28. Heredity: A Genealogy Poem By Grandpa Tucker
  29. 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 via: 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

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, 21 October 2009.

Eileen Dwanne, from the State Library of Queensland will talk on German family history.  Top of page

________________________________________

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 Meetings: 2 November.

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. A $2 donation goes toward purchasing relevant records.

The next meeting will be on 28 November in the QFHS library.

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

________________________________________

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
________________________________________

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 November 2009.

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

Family History Writing Group

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

Next meeting: Saturday, 21 November 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
________________________________________

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 meeting: Saturday, 31 October - Reports (up to version 16/2006) and Friday, 6 November.

For further details, please contact Kerri Kleidon or Joe Greaves or email: familytree@qfhs.org.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,10 October Saadia Thomson-Dwyer will talk on 'Finding the Irish: Locating Irish Records at Queensland State Archives'.

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

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, 17 October from 9:30am and Friday, 20 November from 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
________________________________________

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 November.

For further information: Email scottish@qfhs.org.au OR phone Sam on (07) 3266 9131.   Top of page
________________________________________

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 November.

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

4. Genealogy Online at Chermside Library. 

Computer classes helping researchers find family history resources on the Internet are held on the first Sunday of each month from 1:30pm to 3pm at the Chermside Library. Next class is Sunday, 1st November.

QFHS Library Assistants are on hand to help on an individual basis. Numbers are limited and bookings are essential so contact Jo or Lisa at Chermside Library on (07) 3403 7200.

For further information contact Elaine Pollard at koko12@tpg.com.au or Jill Ritchie at: jillr@ecn.net.au

5. Descendants of Moggill Pioneers

If your ancestors were among the early pioneers of Moggill, you may be interested to know that there is a group called the 'Descendants of Moggill Pioneers'. It is an informal group which meets mostly at the old Moggill Cemetery at Bellbowrie.

The next meeting is at the Cemetery on Sunday, 18 October at 2pm. Tea, coffee and milk will be provided but some Afternoon Tea to share would be welcome, and a mug and a chair could be useful. Everyone is welcome!

Enquiries to Don Greer (President) on telephone (07) 3202 6244 or email margaret@thegreers.com.au    Top of page

6. State Library of Queensland - Shipping Lists for Family Historians

As we all know, tracing the details of an ancestor's arrival can be difficult. Experts from Queensland State Archives, National Archives of Australia and the State Library will guide you to the wealth of resources on 19th and 20th century immigration to help you track down those elusive details.

This session includes morning tea and the opportunity to network with other researchers and staff from the State Library, National and State Archives. It will be held from 10am - 1pm on Friday, 6 November, 10am-1pm at the State Library of Queensland Auditorium 1, level 2. Cost is $14.50 which includes morning tea.

Bookings at: https://www.qtix.com.au/show/SLQ_Shipping_Lists_For_Family_Historians_09.aspx or Telephone on: 136 246.   Top of page

7. Queensland State Archives Seminars

Getting Started - Learn about the Queensland State Archives collection and how best to find the information you are seeking. This seminar, presented by one of their experienced Reference Archivists, will provide you with the basis you need to start your research at QSA. The seminar includes morning tea and a short tour.

The seminars will be held on 3 November and 1 December from 10am-11am at Queensland State Archives Lecture Theatre 2, 435 Compton Road, Runcorn.
Entry is free. To book telephone (07) 3131 7777.   Top of page

8. Queensland State Archives - Nominated Immigrants 1908-1922

The series was created and used by the Immigration Department. This index records information regarding persons who were nominated or sponsored to immigrate to Queensland between 1908 and 1922.

Cards also exist for persons who made inquiries about immigration to Queensland, rejected applicants and applicants who returned to their country of origin. In many cases one member of the family came out alone, and then nominated the remaining family members who followed later.

The cards usually give the name, occupation and overseas address of the main nominee, and names, ages and sometimes relationships of all persons nominated; the name and address in Queensland of the person who nominated them; ship and date of arrival (if applicable); and various remarks. Other details may include occupation of spouse; whether the relevant file has been destroyed (details recorded on the back of the card).

Try your luck at: http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/research/index/nominated_immi.asp

9. More Queensland State Archives Indexes

Even more indexes including Justices of the Peace, Land selections prior to 1884, St Helena convicts and others can be found at this website.

The entries in indexes provide names of people in alphabetical order, and include the Queensland State Archives location numbers. The introductory section of each index provides the purpose and the way to use the index.

You must have a look at: http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/research/indexes.asp   Top of page

10. Rookwood Cemeteries Online

Rookwood is a large Sydney cemetery - its website is free to search and use once you register. Try your luck at: http://rookwoodcemetery.com.au/
 
Catholic cemeteries including Rookwood: http://www.catholiccemeteries.org.au/
 
Rookwood Independent cemetery: http://www.rookwoodindependent.com.au/deceased.aspx

11. Sydney Benevolent Asylum

A new website details the historical records associated with the Sydney Benevolent Asylum between 1857 and 1900. An index was created from records held at the Mitchell Library in Sydney and has been published on this site. The index contains over 78,000 records and is as far as possible, a listing of all inmates between 1857 and 1900.

You can search the index by name and if you find a positive match for one of your ancestors you can complete the online request form to obtain further information from the "notes" field of the database where this is available. There is no charge for this service which is limited to private researchers.

The site also details how you may be able to obtain more information about an inmate of the Asylum by accessing the original records held at the Mitchell Library. More information at: http://www.sydneybenevolentasylum.com/   Top of page

12. Historical Atlas of Sydney

The Historical Atlas of Sydney has been produced by the City of Sydney Archives and is a digitised version of maps and related cartographic resources, covering mainly the City of Sydney local government area but also more widely in the  County of Cumberland region.

The maps are presented as downloadable PDF files which can be panned and zoomed. Screen views can be printed for study purposes, insertion into project reports etc. Each set of maps has a background note with information useful for understanding how and why the maps were produced.

Have a look at: http://www 2.photosau.com/CosMaps/scripts/home.asp

13. Teapot Genies

The latest release CD and Book from Teapot Genies is titled "Iron'd Gangs, Scone Lockup Book and Prisoners employed and of Government Stock" and covers three separate sets of records:
The index contains the date, name, ship and any other names. It is in Microsoft Excel format and sorted by item number, name and other names. The page number that refers to the original file is also included to lead you to the original record where you will find further information.
 
Compiled by Kaye Vernon and Billie Jacobsen in conjunction with State Records NSW, the price is CD only $20.00 or book only $25.00 including GST (plus $3.00 postage). Send cheques to: Pendeo Pty Limited 4 Scarborough Place Beacon Hill, NSW 2100.

For more details, go to http://www.teapotgenealogy.com/ or email kjvernon@bigpond.net.au   Top of page

14. LeCouter Family Reunion

Descendants of George and Francis LeCouter and their children Philip, Captain John, William, Joseph, Jack, Fred, Henry, Annie and Archie are invited to attend a family reunion.

The reunion will be held on Saturday, 9 January 2010 from 11am - 5pm at "Beau Desir, LeCouteurs Road, Curdievale" (off Timboon - Curdievale Road) near Nullawarre, Victoria.

For information or to R.S.V.P (by 9 December 2009) contact Rosemarie Bufton telephone: (03) 5598 3516 or Jeanie Czukli on 0438 667 877 or email: jczukli@hotmail.com

15. National Archives Australia RecordSearch

RecordSearch describes over 7.5 million records created by 9000 Australian Government agencies, mostly since 1901.

Searchable records include documents, photographs, posters, maps, films and sound recordings. Generally, 30 years after a record is created, the public can access it.

New descriptions and digital images are continually be added to the collection. Currently, 18.2 million digital images are available for viewing.

http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/recordsearch/index.aspx   Top of page

16. National Archives of Australia Photo Tips

When it comes to family history research, photographs of unidentified people or places can be frustrating. Photographs with captions containing names and places are more helpful, but labelling them can be a problem.

It's best not to write on the photograph, as illustrated by the image on the left. Writing captions on the album page is a great alternative. If you have to write on the photograph, you should always write on the back with a soft graphite pencil (a regular 2B drawing pencil is perfect). Don't press too hard and avoid using any kind of ink.

Search here for more information about protecting your photographs. http://www.naa.gov.au/services/family-historians/looking-after/photographs.aspx

17. Historic School Registers on Familyrelatives.com

New to Familyrelatives.com - school registers to over 120,000 pupils and masters dating back to 1500. The list is comprised of major schools which are among the oldest of independent educational establishments in the United Kingdom.

The registers are fully searchable and provide a useful resource. They are exceptionally well detailed and usually give the surname, father's name, address, birth date, date of death. School and University education, School sports teams, qualifications or profession, Military service and achievements.

The collection is part of over 650 million historic records available online to all members and visitors by way of an annual subscription of only £30.00 or US$50.00 at http://www.familyrelatives.com/

The school registers can be located at: http://www.familyrelatives.com/search/search_school_indexes.php   Top of page

18.  Nineteenth-Century British Newspapers Online

Nineteenth-century British newspapers are now available on the internet. The database, known as British Newspapers, 1800-1900 and gives users access to over two million newspaper pages from 49 different national and regional newspapers from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Chosen by leading experts and academics, the newspapers represent a cross-section of nineteenth-century society and contain illustrated materials on a variety of topics, including business, sports, politics and entertainment.

Users are able to search for relatives by name or keyword with additional resources available including biographies, timelines and publication histories.

Searches of the site are free and downloads of full-text articles are available by purchasing either a 24-hour pass or a seven-day pass. Content from The Penny Illustrated Paper and The Graphic is available free.

For more information, visit: http://newspapers.bl.uk/blcs/

19. "The Surreys" War Diaries Online

The Great War Diaries (1914-1919) of The Queen's Royal West Surrey, and The East Surrey Regiments by are in transcript form online at:

There is also an archive of photographs and maps. Unfortunately, there is no index or search facility, but the site contains a lot of good information.

Have a look at: http://qrrarchive.websds.net/menu1.aspx?li=1   Top of page

20. Changes at National Archives UK

There are changes ahead at National Archives UK. Including new opening times, a charge to use the public car park, microfilm and microfiche records being moved to storage, and a new streamlined online record copying service.

More details at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/changes.htm

21. The Public Record Office Northern Ireland (PRONI)

PRONI will be moving to a prominent position close to the Odyssey Arena and adjacent to the Gateway building at the entrance to the Titanic Quarter, Belfast.  It is scheduled to open to the public in May/June 2011.

In preparation for this, customers of PRONI are being given twelve months notice that there will be a temporary change to service delivery between September 2010 and May 2011.

More information can be found at http://www.proni.gov.uk/   Top of page

22. 1911 Census of Ireland

The 1911 Census of Ireland for all 32 counties is now online with the digitised images free at http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/

23. Bombay Soldiers Go Online At FIBIS

The Families in British India Society (FIBIS) has announced that it has placed details of about 15,000 European soldiers who served in Bombay (now Mumbai) into its online database, FIBIS Search, and that these are freely available.

The records have been transcribed from registers of enlisted men, including casualties, who served between 1795 and 1862 in the Bombay Army of the Honourable East India Company. The records were established in 1831 and include those soldiers still serving in that year with subsequent additions constantly made until the demise of the army in 1862.

In addition to a name, initial rank and unit, the records of service can include (where known) place of origin, date of entry to service, date of Attestation, term of enlisted service, date of arrival (in India) and ship arrived on, date of death (if in service), when and where re-enlisted, promotions, transfers and when pensioned.

Try your luck at: http://www.fibis.org/   Top of page

24. Who Do You Think You Are?

Tune in to watch noted Australians discover their family history in this interesting series. Screening at 7:30pm Sundays on SBS, future episodes include film and TV actor Ben Mendelsohn,  singer Christine Anu, celebrity cook Maggie Beer and rock star and activist John Butler.

25. Genealogy Toolbar

Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society (MLFHS), based in the U.K. is pleased to announce the release of its genealogy toolbar which integrates seamlessly with your browser (IE, Firefox, Safari) to provide instant access to family history sites including online BMD, Archives, Societies, Pay to View and many more.
 
The toolbar is completely free to download and use and has been developed by Family Historians for use by Family Historians.
 
Changes to the toolbar are made centrally and can be instantly reflected in each user's personal copy. The range of links provided is especially strong for Great Britain and Irish research. There are currently over 120 links and these will be expanded in response to user comments and suggestions.
 
Users can turn individual menus on and off and can also choose to add items from a selection of non genealogy links. The free toolbar can be downloaded at: http://www.mlfhs.org.uk/   Top of page

26. Preparing, Protecting and Preserving Family Treasures

Welcome to "Preparing, Protecting, Preserving" your Family Treasures. No one likes to think about disasters, whether natural or man made, but thinking ahead and preparing, together with knowledge about first steps, can save those family treasures from ruin.

This website provides simple instructions, as well as links to more comprehensive information for "Preparing, Protecting, Preserving" many types of family treasures. Using this information, you will have the means to prepare ahead of time, to protect everyday, and if need be to preserve your family treasures after a disaster. Proper care, handling and storage of your treasures will help to ensure that they are available for generations to come.

Check it out at: http://www.lcweb.loc.gov/preserv/familytreasures/index.html

27. Confucius Family Tree Unveiled

Two million people are now recognised as being descendants of the Chinese philosopher Confucius, more than tripling the number in the last count. Last updated in 1937, the book list all 83 generations of descendents.  For the first time women, ethnic minorities and descendants living overseas have been included.

The 43,000 page document, spreading over 80 books was unveiled at a ceremony in Confucius' home town of Kong Qufu. It adds 1.4 million names to the family tree of Confucius, known in China as Kong Fuzi and is believed by the authorities to be the world's largest.

Read more at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/6230959/Confucius-family-tree-unveiled.html

28. Heredity: A Genealogy Poem By Grandpa Tucker

I saw a duck the other day.
It had the feet of my Aunt Faye.
Then it walked, was heading South.
It waddled like my Uncle Ralph.
And when it turned, I must propose,
Its bill was formed like Aunt Jane's nose.
I thought, "Oh, no! It's just my luck,
Someday I'll look just like a duck!"
I sobbed to Mum about my fears,
And she said, "Honey, dry your tears.
You look like me, so walk with pride.
Those folks are all from Daddy's side.
  Top of page

29. 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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