By Jill Ball © 2021. Does the excitement you feel when you find a promising reference to a book suddenly disappear when you are unable to locate a copy? On rare occasions we can simply beg, buy or borrow a copy of that book but often it takes some sleuthing to track a tome down. In this post I will discuss some of the places where you may be able to find that elusive title. In many cases we … Continue reading
By Bev Murray. It was a few years ago that I started to wonder about my many possessions, which are heirlooms. What would become of them, after I have ‘Gone to God’? The result was that I created an “Heirloom Register” in Word document format. This register is a source of essential information about every precious item in my possession, therefore, hopefully preventing massive dumping at the local charity shop, or perhaps even worse! It is divided into several categories … Continue reading
By Margaret Doherty. After researching my family history for about twenty years, I was given a photo of my great great grandmother, Ann Ferguson Laird. Seeing her image made me feel closer to the person, who, along with her first husband, James Porter, took the giant step to move their family to the colony of New South Wales in 1849. Ann’s photo shows a stern woman with thin lips. She is wearing a black bonnet with the image softened by … Continue reading
By Geraldine Lee. My grandmother bet on the horses. The evidence was discovered when her failing health and memory dictated a move into full-time care and family members were shocked to find not sheets and towels in the linen cupboard but thousands of betting slips. This sensible good-natured woman gambled? How to explain it? Mid-life crisis? How did anyone not know? I can explain my ignorance, having never opened her linen cupboard. Mamie – the nickname she preferred – was … Continue reading
By Bob McAllister. The relationship between family history researchers and those who transcribe and/or index records is a complex one. When a previously unknown document is revealed, the selfless toilers who facilitated the discovery are lauded. On the other hand, when a cryptic squiggle has been misinterpreted, digits transposed, or entries from two records tangled; the oafs responsible are roundly condemned as being if not actually well meaning then barely competent for the task.[1] Yet, deep down we recognise that … Continue reading
