QFHS Snippets - March 2012 Volume 12, No. 3

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Dear [member]
 
Grab a cuppa and get settled, so you can enjoy reading the 72 articles in this bumper edition of Snippets!
 
A reminder that our next General Meeting will be held at 1pm on 21 March.
 
Have you registered to play the Trout Game yet? Book your spot today.
 
Are 72 articles too many for one edition of Snippets?

Share your feedback and suggestions to us at: snippets@qfhs.org.au

Happy researching!


Table of Contents

  1. About This Newsletter
  2. QFHS Gaythorne Centre
  3. QFHS Dates to Remember
  4. Notice of Motion to Increase Fees
  5. Help Wanted!
  6. Findmypast.com.uk. Discount for QFHS Members
  7. QFHS Trout Game
  8. Queensland State Archives Saturday Openings
  9. Free Taxi Service to Queensland State Archives
  10. 4BC Family History 101
  11. Toowong History Group
  12. Caloundra Family History Research Inc
  13. Brisbane Irish Festival
  14. Leane / Lane / Leahy Family Reunion
  15. Rathdowney State School Centenary
  16. Kedron High School Reunion
  17. Brisbane's Living Heritage Network Tours for GOLD
  18. Mackay District Cemeteries
  19. Revitalisation Program - Queensland BDM to 1980 Online
  20. Text Queensland (Queensland's Past Online)
  21. New Index: Register of Land Sold 1842-1859 Now Available Online
  22. Maitland Burial Register
  23. Hawkesbury Cemetery and Grave Register
  24. Deaths in the Melbourne Hospital & the Alfred Hospital
  25. An Unofficial History of Brighton (Vic) General Cemetery
  26. Ballarat Cemetery Online
  27. Index to Outward Passengers from Victoria 1852-1912
  28. Tasmania Burials
  29. Adelaide Cemeteries Authority Burial Index
  30. 13th Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry
  31. Are You attending the 13th Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry?
  32. Beware - Scam Birth, Death and Marriage Certificate Websites
  33. Convict Stockade
  34. Convict Treasure Pulled Out of the Wardrobe and on Display
  35. Were you Photographed as an Immigrant?
  36. Wanted: Australia's Missing Newspapers
  37. Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Genealogy
  38. New Zealand Yesteryears
  39. City of London Burial Registers 1856-1861
  40. Thames Watermen and Lightermen
  41. Manchester Burial Register after 1837
  42. Peak District and Wirksworth Parish Records 1600-1900
  43. Do you have Shetland Island Ancestors?
  44. Isle of Wight Burials List to Go Online
  45. Family History Fair in Newry City Library
  46. Irish Convicts to NSW 1788 -1849
  47. New From findmypast.ie
  48. Irish Military Archives Release Records Online
  49. History from Headstones
  50. Belfast City Cemetery Searchable Database
  51. Welsh Wills
  52. Denbighshire, Wales, Archive Restores 19th Century Prisoners Photo Books
  53. Upper Canada Land Petitions (1763-1865) Online
  54. Former U.S.  President John Tyler's Grandchildren Still Alive
  55. U.S. Government Still Pays Two Civil War Pensions
  56. Fort Kent Historical Society Archives Unveil Massive Genealogical Collection
  57. South Dakota State Historical Society's Archives go Digital
  58. Restoring Burned Records in St. Louis
  59. University of Iowa Yearbooks Now Online
  60. Rare List of Prince Edward Island Acadians Discovered
  61. Find a Grave via Text Messaging
  62. First Modern Humans Settled in Arabia
  63. File Naming Tutorial
  64. World's Oldest Living Twins at 102 years Old
  65. Determining the Date of an Old Photograph
  66. Map and Plan Collection Online
  67. Seven Children, Six Mothers - One Anonymous Father
  68. Where Was Charlie Chaplin Born?
  69. Outrageous Advertisements from the Past
  70. 53 Squadron in Trinidad - RAF and allied forces 1942
  71. March Madness
  72. 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


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.html#Library


3.    QFHS Dates to Remember

Revised information - please note.

QFHS Monthly General Meetings are held each month excepting January and December and will be held on the third Wednesday of:
Depending on attendance numbers at March and May Meetings the Management Committee will assess this again. If you have asked for daytime please try to make a point of attending.

Attendance at the meetings, held at the QFHS Library, is free, and visitors are most welcome.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 21 March from 1pm. Our guest speaker will be Rory McLeod, Director of Client Services and Collections SLQ. His topic addresses the Future of the State Library.
________________________________________

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.

The next meeting will be held on 5 March 2012.

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 24 March at the QFHS library with guest speaker Reverend Stephen Nuske.

For further information, contact Eric Kopittke on (07) 3376 4339 or email kopittke@tpg.com.au or centraleuropean@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 March.

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 on the third Saturday of odd-numbered months.

Next meeting: Saturday, 17 March.

For further information contact FHWriters@qfhs.org.au OR Robert Adamson on
(07) 3357 8138 or Sue Reid on (07) 3378 2278.
________________________________________

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: 14 April.

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

Scottish Interest Group

Meetings are held from 10am - 12 Noon at QFHS Library on the second Saturday of odd-numbered months (except January). Donations to buy more Scottish resources are welcome.

Next meeting: Saturday, 10 March.

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 March.

Contact Kaye Hart on welsh@qfhs.org.au for further information.
________________________________________

Educational Workshops

Do you want to learn more about Family History? Do you want to keep your records in order? Well why not come and join me in my Educational Workshops, "Where to Begin" and "How to Keep Your Records in Order" this year. The Workshops are designed to help you achieve the results you are after in your research and your record keeping. Cost is $5.50 per person which goes towards purchasing more research materials for the Library. Time is from 10am to 12 noon at QFHS Library.

This year's dates and topics are:
For bookings contact Desley Schafer - phone (07) 3204 4254 or email her at: educationofficer@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.

Dates for 2012 are as follows:
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 email at: welcome@qfhs.org.au
________________________________________

Family Tree Maker User Group

These meetings run from 10am - 11:30am at QFHS Library and are held on first Friday each month except January and last Saturday in each even-numbered month except December.
The next meetings will be held on:
For further details, please contact Kerri Kleidon or Joe Greaves via e-mail on: familytree@qfhs.org.au
________________________________________

The Master Genealogist (TMG) User Group

This group caters to the needs of all users, from novice to advanced. The group meets in the QFHS Library on the third Saturday of each month (except December) at 1:30 pm.

Next meeting is 17 March.

For further information, contact George Kearney on 0438 073 344 or Kevin Haley on (07) 3359 7491.


4. Notice of Motion to Increase Fees

A Notice of Motion to Increase Fees at General Meeting on Wednesday, 18 April 2012.
Financial Members will be invited to vote on the Motion:

"That until otherwise determined, and effective for the membership year commencing 1st July 2012, fees be increased to the rates as scheduled" (see Queensland Family Historian Vol. 33 No. 1 page 13 for more details).

Members are reminded that the Constitution under Clause 23 allows proxy votes. Proxy vote forms are available for the front desk at the Library and Resource Centre or downloaded from the Society website - Downloads page under Membership. This link can be used to open the form: http://www.qfhs.org.au/downloads/PROXY_FORM_2012.pdf

The Society's constitution is also available on the downloads page at:  http://www.qfhs.org.au/downloads_forms.html


5. Help Wanted!

After many years, Bev Moore has decided to retire from typing the catalogue cards. Bev would tell you that you do not need to be a speed typist. You just need patience and perseverance.

If you could take over this task, please contact Secretary Bev Young via email at: secretary@qfhs.org.au


6. Findmypast.com.uk. Discount for QFHS Members

The QFHS now has a subscription to Findmypast.co.uk, and they have offered our members a discount of 15% towards membership.  To take advantage of this discount, simply key in the word "FMPSAVE".

Check it out at: http://www.findmypast.co.uk/home.jsp


7. QFHS Trout Game

Allow yourself the privilege of having a fun day in family history and play the Trout Game! The game simulates 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 using basic research techniques not involving computers at all and find out why you may have brick-walls in your research.

The Trout Game will be played on Sunday, 20 May 2012 from 10am to 4pm at QFHS Library. Cost is $5.00 which includes morning and afternoon tea (BYO lunch). To make your booking, contact Game Master Ann Swain via email at: a.swain@bigpond.com or telephone (07) 3352 5537. Numbers are limited and early bookings are essential.


8. Queensland State Archives Saturday Openings

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


9. Free Taxi Service to Queensland State Archives

For those who find it difficult to get to the Queensland State Archives (QSA), there is a taxi service for researchers available every Tuesday.

Information can be obtained at: http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/findus.asp#taxi To book taxi travel to QSA, phone (07) 3131 7777.


10. 4BC Family History 101

4BC has started a regular segment, Family History 101, in its Thursday evening program at 9:30pm. The program is hosted by Walter Williams, with Ann Swain from QFHS, and Marg Doherty of Genealogical Society of Queensland, as the expert guests. It loosely covers a research theme with a response to a listener who has called in the previous week with a brick-wall. Tune in to 1116 am on your radio's dial for an enjoyable half hour.


11. Toowong History Group

On Thursday, 1 March from 7pm, the guest speaker will be Therese Murtagh, who will speak on  Kangaroo Point:  Position! Position! Position! Her speech will cover the early years including settlement, convicts, amenities, industry and aspects of crime.

On Thursday, 5 April, Brian Becconsall will tell us of some of the interesting historical places in Brisbane from an Engineer's perspective.
 
Toowong History Group meets on the first Thursday of the month from 7pm to 9pm.  Tea and coffee are available following the meeting. Meetings are held in the Toowong State School Historical Library with entry via Kate Street (off Sylvan Road). Due to the success of our first book Toowong: A Community's History no fees or membership are required - everyone is welcome.

Telephone (07)  3870 9538 if you would like a lift to the meeting.


12. Caloundra Family History Research Inc

The 15 March 2012 General Meeting will feature guest speaker Rosemary Kopittke; who will enlighten members and visitors on the popular website, findmypast.co.uk.

The group's rooms and library at the Girl Guide Hut are open for research at various days and times. Check here for details: http://www.cirruscomms.com.au/~cfhri/Library.htm

The Interest Group meeting dates for each month are:
Further information on meetings, specialist groups and research details can be obtained from June on (07) 5493 2679, Roz on (07) 5493 1197, or Valerie on (07) 5437 3879.

The group can also be reached by email at: caloundrafamilyres@y7mail.com


13. Brisbane Irish Festival

There'll be plenty of blarney in Brisbane during the first Irish Festival from 9 to 17 March. Events being held include the Irish Festival Ball, St Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Fair, and many more.

Details at: http://www.queenslandirish.com/events/brisbane-irish-festival-2012


14. Leane / Lane / Leahy Family Reunion

Descendants of John, Michael and Denis Leane, Margaret Leahy (nee Leane) and Honora and Eneas Lane are invited to attend a family reunion.

It will be held on Sunday, 6 May 2012 from 10:30 am at Orleigh Park, West End, Brisbane - opposite 1/11 Hill End Terrace (off Montague Road). Please B.Y.O. picnic lunch, seating and photos. If it is raining, we will meet at Tim Quinn's home.

For further information, email Tim Quinn at: tim_quinn@optusnet.com.au or contact  Pat Weber at: patweber@tsn.cc
 

15. Rathdowney State School Centenary

On Saturday, 12 May 2012 the Rathdowney State School will be holding its Centenary celebrations. The day will be celebrated at the Rathdowney School grounds, Mt Lindesay Highway, Rathdowney.

For information, email: mt.lindsay@harboursat.com.au or kylee.m@scenicrim.qld.gov.au


16. Kedron High School Reunion

We're looking for senior class students from 1962 Kedron High School for a 50th year reunion on 14/15 July. The reunion will be held at Norths Leagues Club, Nundah Brisbane. Tickets cost $75 double or $40 single. For further details, telephone Don Gordon on: 0417 060 745 or email: don@coolsurfwatch.com


17. Brisbane's Living Heritage Network Tours for GOLD

The next program of GOLD (Growing Old Living Dangerously) tours from Brisbane City Council's Active & Healthy team is now available on-line. The program includes six walking tours run by Brisbane's Living Heritage Network which explore a variety of historic themes; the 1912 General Strike, Queensland Day, the Royal Australian Navy, as well as some reminiscent revisits to Brisbane's oldest pubs, shopping precincts and business districts.

The GOLD program can be downloaded at: http://bit.ly/xNcBUl

To see the full program of BLHN tours go to http://www.blhn.org/01_cms/details.asp?ID=738


18. Mackay District Cemeteries

This site has recently been updated. Available online are cemetery locations, names, and in some cases photographs of headstones.

You can check it out at: http://www.mackayhistory.org/research/cemeteries/cemeteries.html


19. Revitalisation Program - Queensland BDM to 1980 Online

The Queensland  Registrar-General is planning to have indexes to 1980 available online by April 2012. Combined with the digitalisation of the remaining paper-based life event registration records that will occur over the next five years at a cost of $20.8m, the new business model will deliver initiatives that will improve the timeliness and range of services to the Queensland community.

A PowerPoint Presentation of the process by Sean O'Connor is available at: http://bit.ly/wbv5Oj


20. Text Queensland (Queensland's Past Online)

This website presents a unique and dynamic collection of full-text, searchable, digitised sources on Queensland's colonial and state history. Launched in October 2011, it is a collaboration between the University of Queensland Library and the Centre for the Government of Queensland at the University of Queensland. It features books, journals, theses and newspapers as well as government sources. Go to: http://www.textqueensland.com.au/


21. New Index: Register of Land Sold 1842-1859 Now Available Online

This online index is compiled from lists of land sales created by the Moreton Bay District Survey Office, New South Wales for the period c 1842 to c 1859. The lists supply information regarding land sold in what became the colony of Queensland.

Go to: http://bit.ly/wsIcCG


22. Maitland Burial Register

The Maitland City Council Register includes East Maitland, Campbells Hill, Morpeth and Rutherford cemeteries plus older ones at Glebe, Hiland Crescent East Maitland, Oakhampton, Oswald and the Jewish cemetery at East Maitland. The searchable index is in Excel form with over 25,000 names and I would suggest you use CTR+F as names are not necessarily in alphabetical order.

Go to: http://www.maitland.nsw.gov.au/Heritage/Cemeteries/BurialRegister


23. Hawkesbury Cemetery and Grave Register

The Hawkesbury Cemetery Register represents the results of an ongoing voluntary project to transcribe, photograph and map the cemeteries, graves, memorials and monuments within the Hawkesbury Region of New South Wales, and then to provide that information online. The Richmond Presbyterian Cemetery has been operational since 1863 and volunteers have recently completed transcribing and photographing the headstones of the 107 graves and full details can be viewed by all.

Go to: http://www.hawkesbury.net.au/cemetery/index.html  Information on War Memorials can be found at: http://www.hawkesbury.net.au/memorial/index.html


24. Deaths in the Melbourne Hospital & the Alfred Hospital

During the years 1867 to 1880, the Melbourne ARGUS newspaper printed monthly lists of deaths that occurred at the Melbourne Hospital, Victoria. The names are, in most cases, accompanied by age at death, origin, year and vessel of arrival in the colony of Victoria, and the date and cause of death. Deaths at the Alfred Hospital and the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum (a link from the home page) have similar information covering the years 1872-1877.

Go to: http://www.tfoenander.com/meldeath.html


25. An Unofficial History of Brighton (Vic) General Cemetery

Are you trying to locate a grave at the Brighton Cemetery? This site gives the history of the cemetery, details of historic interments and more than 260 biographies of the famous and the infamous buried there and offers a variety of research options for locating a grave.

Go to: http://www.brightoncemetery.com/


26. Ballarat Cemetery Online

Databases include Pre 1856, Cemetery Records and Book of Remembrance. There is also a Cemetery Trivia page.

Go to: http://ballaratcemeteries.com.au/cemetery_database.html

Visitors to the Old Cemetery can access an information centre containing displays and information with wall panels providing relevant information. Included is a touch screen computer database containing grave locations and details of every burial and cremation. People use this small gatehouse extensively to look up family history. People from all over the world sign the visitor's book, which attests to the international significance of the Old Cemetery.


27. Index to Outward Passengers from Victoria 1852-1912

PROV volunteers just completed indexing outward passenger lists from Melbourne to interstate and foreign ports for the years 1908-1912.  These years are now included on the online index which is a searchable list of passengers travelling on ships leaving Victoria.  Researchers can now search the period 1852-1912 by passenger names.

Go to http://bit.ly/yVZuTh


28. Tasmania Burials

For anyone searching for burials in Tasmania, a good place to start is: http://www.millingtons.com.au They have funeral parlours throughout Tasmania.


29. Adelaide Cemeteries Authority Burial Index

Cemeteries include West Terrace, Cheltenham, Enfield and Smithfield.

This is a very good user friendly site. http://aca.sa.gov.au/RecordsSearch.aspx


30. 13th Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry

The 13th Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry will be held in Adelaide, South Australia from the 28 to 31 March 2012. The theme of the congress is 'Your Ancestors in their Social Context'.

You can find out everything you need to know about the Congress at: http://www.congress2012.org.au/


31. Are You attending the 13th Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry?

Your society is planning to have a stall at this Congress, which runs from the 28 March to 31 March 2012 in Adelaide. We are interested in hearing from members who are attending and may be willing to volunteer to staff the stall for a few hours.

If you can help, please email:  president@qfhs.org.au


32. Beware - Scam Birth, Death and Marriage Certificate Websites

SCAMwatch is warning Australians to be wary of websites that appear official but fail to deliver on promises to provide birth, death, marriage or divorce certificates in return for a fee.

For details on how the scam works go to: http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/898499


33. Convict Stockade

The Australian Colonies were first settled in 1788 and convict transportation to the colonies continued until 1868. In that time, over 162,000 convicts were transported to Australia. Selecting any of the year links listed will take you to a list of ships that arrived in that year. From there you will be able to view a list of the transportees that arrived on these ships. Selecting any of the convicts listed will open either an information page about that person or allow you to create a page about them. It is a work in progress and some lists still need to be loaded.

Enjoy searching at: http://www.historyaustralia.org.au/


34. Convict Treasure Pulled Out of the Wardrobe and on Display

It's a $1.8 million "scrapbook" that reveals some of the earliest days of European settlement in Australia. But until recently the album, compiled almost 200 years ago by commandant of Newcastle Captain James Wallis, was gathering dust in the back of a clothes cupboard in Canada. Thanks to a winning bid at auction last October by the State Library of New South Wales, the artefact and the two dozen original works of art in it returned to Australia and were displayed for the first time yesterday in Newcastle.

You can see some of the pictures and read more at: http://bit.ly/ACMlxh


35. Were you Photographed as an Immigrant?

The National Archives is developing a new website showcasing 26,000 immigration photographs which will encourage former migrants and their families to identify people and add their memories but they need a few to start it off. If you, or someone in your family had a photograph taken by a government photographer, please contact National Archives of Australia. Email: news@naa.gov.au


36. Wanted: Australia's Missing Newspapers

Is there a pile of old newspapers under your bed, in your shed or under the floorboards? Do you want to help preserve our social history for future generations?

For more details, go to: http://www.nla.gov.au/anplan/about/collect.html


37. Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Genealogy

This is a gateway to online free genealogy sites with lots of links to miscellaneous sites you may not normally come across. Just a few of those are:
Enjoy searching at: http://www.freesurnamesearch.com/search/ausnzp/index.html


38. New Zealand Yesteryears

This site provides links to hundreds of free resources including passenger lists, shipboard diaries, immigration schemes and much more.

Go to: http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/index.html


39. City of London Burial Registers 1856-1861

A project is now underway that should make all of this historical information available on the internet for users who are unable to visit us in person. The first eight registers covering the dates 24 June 1856 to 2 June 1861 are currently available for viewing online and the remaining registers will be made available shortly.

You will need to enter a month and year for both the start and end date of your search so have your search criteria ready. You may also use the burial number if it is known. Please note that the records are arranged by date of burial, not date of death.

Go to: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/burialREgisters/


40. Thames Watermen and Lightermen

Leading UK family history website http://findmypast.co.uk/ has published online just under 100,000 records of Thames watermen and lightermen, spanning the years 1688 to 1949. Watermen were highly skilled boatmen who carried passengers up and down and across the Thames in row boats, steam boats, sailing boats and vessels. Lightermen worked on cargo boats rather than passenger vessels.

This is available to members at the QFHS library or via subscription.


41. Manchester Burial Register after 1837

Bereavement Services operates an online burial records service which, for a small fee, enables people to search over 800,000 burial records dating back to 1837. These records provide a valuable source of information for those interested in tracing their family or social history, and forms an essential tool for the keen genealogist.

You can find out more about the online burial records service at: http://www.burialrecords.manchester.gov.uk/


42. Peak District and Wirksworth Parish Records 1600-1900

A large Parish in the centre of Derbyshire; this site has a huge amount of information available online.

Click on 'search' and select from the database http://www.wirksworth.org.uk/


43. Do you have Shetland Island Ancestors?

This website concentrates on persons who were either born, married or died in Shetland, along with their descendants. More and more it is moving into other counties, so there is increasing information on Orcadian family lines, along with a little from the fishing villages from Peterhead to Buckie. Personal and headstone photographs, newspaper articles and much more, all free of charge.

Go to http://www.bayanne.info/Shetland/


44. Isle of Wight Burials List to Go Online

A huge project to list all pre-1858 Isle of Wight burials online is being undertaken by volunteers. Members of the Isle of Wight Family History Society are working with staff from the Isle of Wight Record Office to transfer the entire index to the web.

The project is unlikely to be completed and cross-checked against the original registers before 2014.


45. Family History Fair in Newry City Library

An open invitation has been extended to family historians and anyone searching for their ancestors to attend the Family History Fair, being held on Saturday, 28 April from 10am to 4pm in Newry City Library.

Exhibitors attending will include representatives from Libraries Northern Ireland, Public Record Office of NI (PRONI), Somme Heritage Centre, ULTACH, PSNI Police Museum, Mellon Centre for Migration Studies, Northern Ireland Screen as well as local history and family history organisations.

For more information, you can contact Newry City Library via email at:  newry.library@librariesni.org.uk
 
For details of all events being held in Northern Ireland libraries, go to: http://www.librariesni.org.uk/


46. Irish Convicts to NSW 1788 -1849

This site contains lists of Irish Convicts to NSW 1788-1849, Irish rebels to Australia 1800-1806, Braidwood Goal Entrance Book 1856-1899 and more. http://members.pcug.org.au/~ppmay/


47. New From findmypast.ie

Irish family history website http://findmypast.ie/ has launched online the Petty Sessions order books (1850-1910); one of the greatest untapped resources for those tracing their Irish roots. They cover all types of cases, from allowing trespass of cattle to being drunk in charge of an ass and cart. These were the lowest courts in the country which dealt with the vast bulk of legal cases, both civil and criminal. This first batch of entries contains details of 1.2 million cases, with most records giving comprehensive details of the case including: name of complainant, name of defendant, names of witnesses, cause of complaint, details of the judgement, details of a fine if any, and details of a sentence passed down if any. Another 15 million cases are to follow throughout 2012. This first batch of records is particularly useful for areas of the country for which family history records are notoriously sparse such as Connaught and Donegal.


48. Irish Military Archives Release Records Online

Ireland's Military Archives are currently digitising a number of key collections which should delight both genealogists and historians alike.

These records are available to search online through their website http://bit.ly/At47Np


49. History from Headstones

Search the largest collection of online gravestone inscriptions in Northern Ireland. The database contains over 50,000 inscriptions from over 800 graveyards in counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone.

Registration is necessary and credits need to be purchased to view full online inscriptions. http://www.historyfromheadstones.com/


50. Belfast City Cemetery Searchable Database

This is a user-friendly site for those with Belfast ancestry. All you need to begin is a surname, or part of a surname. Narrow your results further by providing a forename(s), initial or year of death/burial - however, these are not essential. If you aren't sure of the exact year of death/burial, enter the first three digits of the decade - for example, 198 - to only display records from that decade.

Enjoy searching at: http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/burialrecords/search.asp


51. Welsh Wills

This site lists Welsh wills which be downloaded a page at a time for reading on the screen, or you can pay and get a digital copy at: http://bit.ly/1oZTC0


52. Denbighshire, Wales, Archive Restores 19th Century Prisoners Photo Books

Rare 19th Century books containing photos of habitual criminals are among archives being restored in north Wales. The pictures, taken between the 1860-90s, were used by the Denbighshire Constabulary to keep check on repeat offenders.

Other documents being preserved at Denbighshire council's archive service include 500-year-old wills from notable Welsh family, the Mostyns. The items will go on show, some for the first time, once the work is completed.

More info available from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16980153


53.  Upper Canada Land Petitions (1763-1865) Online

Library and Archives Canada have made a major update to its online database "Upper Canada Land Petitions (1763-1865)." Before the arrival of the Loyalists and British military settlers, the present-day Province of Ontario was an extension of the Province of Quebec. Following the Constitutional Act of 1791, the colony of Quebec was divided to create Upper Canada (today Ontario) and Lower Canada (today Quebec). Many of the early settlers, both military and civilian, submitted petitions to the Governor to obtain Crown land. Sons and daughters of Loyalists were also entitled to free lands.

The Upper Canada Land Petitions contain petitions for grants or leases of land and other administrative records. The new online database provides access to more than 82,000 references to individuals who lived in present-day Ontario between 1783 and 1865.

The database is available at: http://bit.ly/a2gVcH



54. Former U.S.  President John Tyler's Grandchildren Still Alive

Former United States President John Tyler (1790-1862), still has two living grandchildren. So, how is it possible that a former president who died 150 years ago would still have direct descendents alive today? As it turns out, the Tyler men were known for fathering children late in life.

Read more at: http://yhoo.it/zAJzBR


55. U.S. Government Still Pays Two Civil War Pensions

Question: When was the last time the U.S. government paid a Civil War pension payment? Answer: Would you believe the government is still making payments? Not bad for a war that ended nearly 147 years ago!

According to an article by Lauren Fox published in U.S. News & World Report, records from the Department of Veterans' Affairs show that two children of Civil War veterans, as of September 2011 are receiving pensions from their fathers' service. At that date, both were alive, but in poor health. These payments probably won't last much longer.

You can read more at: http://bit.ly/x9iXXo

You might also enjoy some of the mysteries of the Civil War published at: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/civilwar/


56. Fort Kent Historical Society Archives Unveil Massive Genealogical Collection

The Fort Kent Historical Society and the Acadian Archives at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, have indexed and catalogued a massive collection of books, photographs, notes, maps and genealogical ephemera. It is now available to researchers and others interested in family history. Before finding its new home, the collection belonged to Leon Guimond, a keen genealogist.

More about the collection can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/y8c7Ux


57. South Dakota State Historical Society's Archives go Digital

The South Dakota Digital Archives has launched its archives online. Photographs available online include state-wide historic buildings and structures, and photographs from the Black Hills collections, including scenery, towns, railroads and people.

You can read more in an article at: http://argusne.ws/wrjMUA

The archives website is available at: http://sddigitalarchives.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm


58. Restoring Burned Records in St. Louis

If you are looking for military records from World War I and World War II as well as the years between those wars, you are possibly already aware that many of the personnel records were destroyed in a fire on 12 July, 1973. The National Personnel Records Center lost approximately 16 to 18 million Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF). No duplicate copies of these records were ever maintained, nor were microfilm copies produced. Neither were any indexes created prior to the fire. A complete listing of the records that were lost is not available.

The near-impossible task of restoring the charred documents that survived continues to this day. Last year, the centre fielded 1.5 million requests for documents - requests that demand extracting and delivering accurate information from records charred by fire, soaked with water and often crusted with mould. Six and a half million documents in one form or another have been partially or completely recovered. You can read  more about this wonderful effort at: http://bit.ly/A81Og7

You can read more about the fire and the records that were lost at: http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/fire-1973.html


59. University of Iowa Yearbooks Now Online

These were published from 1892 until 1992 (except for a brief interruption during the 1970s). The University of Iowa's Hawkeye yearbook features student portraits, photographs of the campus, club and team information, and often a foreword written by the administration.  You can search by years or search for any word in the text of all the yearbooks.

The University of Iowa's Hawkeye yearbooks are available at: http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/yearbooks/


60. Rare List of Prince Edward Island Acadians Discovered

Researching Acadian ancestors can be frustrating at times. Now a new list of Acadians living in 1783 in Prince Edward Island has been discovered that may help solve many family mysteries. Acadian researchers at l'Université de Moncton have discovered a list of 289 names of Acadians who were living on Prince Edward Island in 1763. The purpose of the list is unknown.

You can read more in an article in CBC News at: http://bit.ly/zmpeH9


61. Find a Grave via Text Messaging

Tel Aviv's historic Trumpeldor Cemetery invites you to find graves by text messaging. For only one shekel, you can text the deceased's full name and name of the father, and you will quickly receive the plot number of the grave. Now that's a practical application of text messaging!

Details may be found at: http://bit.ly/ADtZwj


62. First Modern Humans Settled in Arabia

A new study, using genetic analysis to look for clues about human migration over sixty thousand years ago, suggests that the first modern humans settled in Arabia on their way from the Horn of Africa to the rest of the world.

Led by the University of Leeds and the University of Porto in Portugal, the study is recently published in American Journal of Human Genetics and provides intriguing insight into the earliest stages of modern human migration, say the researchers http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126123705.htm  


63. File Naming Tutorial

The State Library of North Carolina has created a four-part video tutorial that describes why file naming is important, how to change a file name, what not to do when changing a file name, and best practices for file naming. These brief videos simply and clearly describe how deliberate file naming, a common everyday practice, can lead to responsible file management and ongoing digital preservation.

This tutorial is part of a four-part "Inform U" series.You can view the video at: http://www.youtube.com/user/statelibrarync


64. World's Oldest Living Twins at 102 years Old

They were born before man had conquered the South Pole, back in the days when Mark Twain and Florence Nightingdale were still alive. Aged 102, Edith Ritchie and Evelyn 'Evie' Middleton (nee Rennie) have now been named the world's oldest living twins.

You can read more about the twins at: http://bit.ly/zStmuQ


65. Determining the Date of an Old Photograph

A lot of helpful hints can be found using the Family Search tech tips site. Determining the age of a photograph can sometimes mean the difference between confirming or denying the identity of the people in the photograph.

You'll find the tips at: http://bit.ly/xxOo7A


66. Map and Plan Collection Online

Mapco is a website developed and maintained by David Hale, a member of the International Map Collectors' Society. Mapco's aim is to provide access to high-quality scans of rare and beautiful 18th and 19th century maps and plans of London and the British Isles and 19th century maps and engravings related to Australia. Check it out at: http://mapco.net/

If you have ever heard the saying 'She knew it like the back of her hand' check out: http://ht.ly/96uit from the TNA Blog site. It's a leather glove painted with a map of London landmarks and was designed to help fashionable ladies find their way to and from the Great Exhibition held in London's Hyde Park in 1851.


67. Seven Children, Six Mothers - One Anonymous Father

Liza White, a single mother by choice who lives in Seattle, used a sperm donor to conceive her daughter, now five years old. Although Morgen is technically an only child, she actually has six half-siblings - all born thanks to the same sperm donor; Northwest Andrology and Cryobank Inc.'s donor No. 893.

You can read more about the half-siblings at: http://bit.ly/ymzCxN


68. Where Was Charlie Chaplin Born?

Even Great Britain's MI5 spy agency cannot find any record of Charlie Chaplin's birth. Although the entertainer is celebrated as one of London's most famous sons, newly declassified files reveal that Britain's MI5 domestic intelligence service found no records to back up Chaplin's claim that he was born in the city on April 16, 1889.

You can read more in an article by at: http://yhoo.it/wdcA9P


69. Outrageous Advertisements from the Past

From an ad that claims smoking is healthy to one telling mothers they should give Coca-Cola to their babies, these shocking posters give a fascinating insight into a time gone by. One even tries to promote cocaine a remedy for toothache. It's a wonder our ancestors ever survived!

You can read more at: http://bit.ly/woe1MS


70. 53 Squadron in Trinidad - RAF and allied forces 1942

A group researching the transportation and deployment of 53 Squadron to Trinidad in 1942 are asking for help in locating several men from the RAAF who were also on that tour, including an airman from Queensland. He is thought to have been a Gerard Reid G Johnson from Mt Isa.

If you think you might have information on descendants that could assist the group in their research email contact can be made at: 53intrinidad@gmail.com


71. March Madness

Get the genealogical facts first - you can distort them later!
Give me your tired, your poor ... they're genealogists!
Go climb your family tree.
Goldilocks had three bears. Genealogists have forebears.
Gone relative fishing...
Grandpop.com not found. Loading Cousin.com instead.
Great, great, grandpa, Where are you? Who are you?
Happiness is a genealogist who just found their lost ancestor!
Happy hunting for your ancestral name changes!
Has anyone seen my roots?
He ain't heavy - he's my brother's aunt's sister's husband.
He who dies with the most ancestors wins!
Help! I'm lost somewhere in the Generation Gap.
Hi Ho, Hi Ho - it's off to research I go.
Have you hugged a Genealogist today?


72. 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.html

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