~11th June 2003 ~  

Copies of the current Hawkesbury Family History Group Meeting news sheet including archived copies can be accessed at http://www.hawkesbury.net.au/community/053.html

MEETING DATES 2003

HAWKESBURY CRIER - JUNE 2003

The Hawkesbury Crier (June 2003) the Hawkesbury family History Group's quarterly journal is now available for sale. It is available at the meetings for $2 or by subscription for $16. For more details email mnichols@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au

EBENEZER CHURCH - ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE

This annual event (held every 3rd Saturday in June) will take place on Saturday 21st June 2003 at 2pm at Ebenezer church, Coromandel Road and will celebrate 200 years of the settlers arriving in the district. The service commences at 2pm however interested persons are welcome to make use of the grounds for a picnic. Anyone interested is welcome to attend.

TURNBULL GET TOGETHER, EBENEZER CHURCH 21st JUNE 2003

The Turnbull family will also be meeting prior to the 2pm service. Copies of their recent family history will also be available for sale.

RICHMOND PARK: A HERITAGE PLACE OF LOCAL ESTEEM & STATE SIGNIFICANCE

The establishment of five Hawkesbury towns in 1810 by Governor Macquarie on sites elected by the governor himself, was a watershed in the development of rural New South Wales. A substantial block of land was set aside in each town as a public reserve which has remained in crown hands, & today these reserves are an important feature of Richmond, Windsor & Wilberforce. The reserve at Richmond ever since 1810 has fulfilled expectations as a market place, a park, a communal venue & a sports ground, satisfying local people's need for a breathing space in the midst of a successful country town. Such
continuity of use over almost two centuries, with changing emphases, is exceptional in the state. The design, plantings and structures in Richmond Park today are a legible record of this long history of change. In particular the Pavilion of 1883-4 (the grandstand) is a dominating reminder of the value placed on the Park by the early aldermen of the borough: although the wooden superstructure was rebuilt in 1994, the Pavilion's historic resonance's are intact.

Other built features, the World War I memorial, the 1892 fountain, the playground equipment ( successor to the swings of 1891), the 1855 cannon, the Country Women's Association kiosk, even the use of the park by the breast-screening bus, are in different ways testimony to the historical significance of Richmond Park. Because Richmond Park is so important, Hawkesbury City Council recently appointed consultants to undertake a Conservation Management Plan of the Park. This will identify the important aspects of the Park and make recommendations for its future. What do you value about Richmond Park? A community consultation workshop will be held on 12 June 2003 at the Senior Citizen's Centre at 114 March
Street from 4pm -6pm. Come along and have your say in the future of the Park.

STATE RECORDS NEW ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER - NOW&THEN

Now&Then is a new electronic newsletter for anyone interested in the State archives of NSW & published by State Records. You can view a copy on the State Records website at www.records.nsw.gov.au/publications/now&then/ or you can
subscribe by simply sending an email containing your telephone number and a request to be subscribed to: Martyn Killion at marketing@records.nsw.gov.au If you hold a reader's ticket (current from the last 2 years) you will automatically receive a copy. Please also note that requests are only accepted for the Now&Then mailing list from the person who sends us an email
message.

REMINDERS

On Saturday 28th June 2003 from 12pm, the Centenary of the Official opening of the BRIDGE over the Macdonald River at St. Albans NSW will be commemorated. During the afternoon the Institution of Engineers will place an Historic Engineering Marker on the bridge. Anyone interested is welcome to attend.

HAWKESBURY HOMECOMING - HAWKESBURY PIONEER FAMILIES REUNION

Will be held on the weekend of 29th & 30th November 2003, from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm at Windsor High School Hall, Mulgrave Road, McGraths Hill. The reunion is being organised by Lesley Uebel ckennedy@bigpond.net.au Norma &
Ian McLean and Coralie Hird. Entrance Fee is $5, Children under 16 Free (Fee covers a person attending either one day or both days) For more information see http://users.bigpond.net.au/convicts/page154.html

SURFING THE INTERNET……. SITES FOR FAMILY HISTORIANS

Members with internet access should check out the following interesting sites. The Library has free access to the internet, contact 4560 4460 for bookings. Richmond also has access, for bookings phone 4578 2002.

Newspaper Indexes for Family History Researchers ~ Check out Looking Back in Time - extracts from old newspapers, quite a few from the Hawkesbury. This will be updated each month. ~ http://www3.ceinternet.com.au/~rgow

Pitt Town Cemetery (partial listing) ~ http://members.optushome.com.au/dianep/stjames.htm

Timmins & Baldwin families : Children of James & Ann Timmins ~ http://www.geocities.com/chrisdaley2001/16.html

Genealogy clipart ~ http://rats2u.com/clipart/animation/clipart_genealogy.htm#clipart

Scottish documents ~ http://www.scottishdocuments.com/content/default.asp

~ Let us know of sites, that you have tried with (or without) success ~

PEATS FERRY TRAIN DISASTER 1887

Information sought on the Peats Ferry Train Disaster which took place on the 21 June 1887. My great grandfather's brother was Thomas Wilson. He was the driver of the train. I would like to make contact with any descendants from people involved in this crash. Nola Umbers, 23 Raine Ave, North Rocks 2151 Email : umbers3@bigpond.com

FOLEY & GAMBLE FAMILIES

Information sought on the descendants of John Foley who arrived on the Mangles in 1822 and Ellen Gamble who arrived on the Hooghley in 1831. Please contact to swap notes. Ian Brothers, "Bridgewater" Grenfell 2810.