MEETING DATES 2011

Meeting held 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10am in the Tebbutt Room, Windsor Library

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INFORMATION

FAMILY HISTORY CLASSES

The Hawkesbury Library will be holding the final family history class for the year at the Hawkesbury Central Library. Classes are suitable for beginners or persons wanting a refresher course. Classes are from 6.30pm-8.30pm $10 ~ T: 4560 4466 E: history@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au

How did they get here? Shipping records for family history research – Thursday 13 October
Presented by Michelle Nichols, Local Studies Librarian. Wondered when your ancestors arrived in NSW? Were they immigrants, settlers or convicts? Find out what records are available and where to find them.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

Series 2 of the US version of WDYTYA? starts Wednesday 14th September on Channel 9 at 10pm. First of the rank is actress Gwyneth Paltrow who traces the roots of her grandfather, and on her maternal line discovers her ancestors were connected to the Caribbean island of Barbados. Actress Vanessa Williams, country star Tim McGraw, media personality Rosie O’Donnell, actress Kim Cattrall, superstar Lionel Richie, actor Steve Buscemi and actress Ashley Judd will appear in forthcoming programs.

DES NICHOLSON 1929-2011

One of the longest attendees of the Hawkesbury Family History Group, Des Nicholson passed away on the 2 September 2011. Des was an integral part of our group and rarely missed a meeting. She took care of the finances as treasurer for over 20 years and chaired the enjoyable “Show & Tell” each December. Extracts from her eulogy appear in today’s Hawkesbury Crier. Her funeral was held on Friday 9 September at St. Andrews Uniting Church at Richmond and she was buried with her Husband at the Richmond Lawn Cemetery.

ZANE MCCARRON 1948-2011

Another regular attendee of the Hawkesbury Family History meetings passed away Friday 9 September 2011 after a long battle with cancer. Zane McCarron was an ardent supporter of Richmond’s St. Peters Church local history and a keen family historian.

NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER 10am–12pm

Storytelling : Disinterring Early Convict settlers of the Hawkesbury - wWith Louise Wilson, researcher and author of historical biographies including the Forrester and Bushell books and various family histories and research articles. Louise will share her experience of careful research, lots of thinking and telling an interesting story.

NEW ON ANCESTRY.COM

• Returns of the Colony, 1822-1857 NSW aka Blue Books

This is a database of Returns of the Colony for NSW between 1822-1857. This is a collection of the colony’s records in the civil, economic, judicial, police, penal, medical, ecclesiastical, and educational establishments. There are 28 different record types that are included in some form over the 35 years. The returns also include a list of the officers in these areas. The information that can be found in these records is usually the name of a person and their role in the government or their name and the type of business they were involved in with the government, whether it was a land purchase or receiving a pension payment.

• New South Wales, Australia, Public Service Lists, 1858-1870

New South Wales Statistical Returns of the Colony (Blue Books) included lists of public, ecclesiastical, and other colony officials, as well as pensioners, captured in this database as Public Service Lists. If your ancestor had a job in any way connected to the government of New South Wales, the church, or in education, this database will be worth exploring.

Family History Fair

Maitland & District Genealogical Society Inc Family History Fair 9 October 2011 Maitland City Bowls, Sports & Recreation Club,Arthur Street, Rutherford (off New England Highway) 9am - 4pm. All welcome entry $5. Guest speakers include: Elizabeth Bolton - Lacemakers Plights & Migration; Gillian Kelly - Lace Museum, Calais and Gail Davis - Researching in the NSW State Archives. Stalls from many groups and organisations. For further information or stall hire: Ph: 49051878 (Wed & Sat) or E: mdgs01@tpg.com.au  Web: http://www.mdgs.org.au/

NEW LOCAL STUDIES ITEMS

Below are new items available to consult in the Local Studies Collection at Hawkesbury Library. To check the Library catalogue online go to http://catalogue.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/amlibweb/

Irish research on the Internet by Cora Num
Shelved at RL929.102854 NUM and 929.102854 NUM

Lines across the oceans : our settler forebears by Graham Wilcox
Shelved at RL929.20994 WIL

Boorowa District 1939-1999 BDMs
Shelved at RL 929.509944 SEL

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 at Windsor & 4578 2002 for Richmond bookings. If you have your own laptop we also have free wireless. The password is available from the Information Desk.

• British Maritime History ~ factsheets  http://www.barnettmaritime.co.uk/

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