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The latest issue of Ancestor - the GSV's award-winning quarterly journal (vol 33 issue 7, September 2017) is now available. 

In this issue we have six substantial articles contributed by members. Jean Dart’s story is steeped in Irish history. Her feisty great grandmother managed to free herself from an abusive relationship and support herself as the matron of a protestant children’s home. Thelma Ragas investigates her great uncle who was a detective in New Zealand, fell foul of the police hierarchy and ended up opening his own private detective agency. Can you imagine sending a sixteen-year-old to a faraway country, all alone, to live in a strict environment on an Experiment Farm? That’s what happened to Prue Mercer’s ancestor, Harold Berrow.

The First World War casts a long shadow. We are still remembering those who paid the ultimate price. The difficulty for the family in establishing exactly what happened to their loved ones was compounded when inaccurate record keeping cast doubt on their fate, as happened in Margaret Cooper’s family.

Digging that little bit deeper often pays – you find information in unexpected places. For Sue Blackwood it was a Queensland ‘Old Insanity File’ that unearthed information, not about subject of the file, but about her husband, Sue’s great great grandfather. Darryl Grant reminds us that our ancestors did not always record the whole truth; a little extra digging may uncover some surprising facts about our ancestors that they may have deliberately covered up, or may even not have known themselves. Michael Woods found that references in Australian newspapers to his great uncle as a wrestler helped to trace him backward in time as well as forward.

'Digging deeper' reminds us of the great importance on not only relying on the international databases, such as Ancestry™and Find My Past™ for ancestral information. Nothing can beat a widespread search for information using the help of the GSV and diverse sources as illustrated above. There is no way the full story can be unravelled if you just stick to a computer at home or in a library. Make your family story interesting and complete!

As always Research Corner has some interesting tips – did you know that you might be able to find your ancestor’s name on a UK census prior to 1841?

Martin Playne - Editorial Team

GSV Members will already have received their copy as part of their membership. Others can get this issue, and much more, by joining now, or copies can be purchased via the GSV website http://www.gsv.org.au

Have you listened to any of the GSV webcasts?

Membership of the GSV brings with it several benefits, many of which can be accessed in the comfort of your own home. The GSV webcasts, for example, can be downloaded and listened to at your convenience. In addition, many of these are accompanied by a downloadable PDF document outlining the content of the webcast.

At present there are over 170 webcasts available, covering topics ranging from the subject-specific (e.g. The history of Maldon and its gold discoveries; Women at work in Victoria: in public service and during war times) to research advice, covering Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Poland, India, Sweden, France, South Africa, China, the Netherlands and more; to general genealogical advice (Methodology, research techniques and citations; Preservation of books, photographs and paper based items).

Have a look at the range of talks available in the GSV CATALOGUE : search by putting "webcast" (without quote marks) in the Call No box.

Listen to a sample webcast: Research in Tasmania, presented by Meg Bate from the Catalogue - CLICK HERE

Apart from these webcast talks, there's lots more help for you at home as a GSV Member, on your family history journey.

Now that the GSV has moved closer to the Victoria's Immigration Museum we are looking forward to being closer!

GSV Members are invited to two days of complimentary admission to the Immigration Museum - 18 and 19 August.

Set in the beautifully restored 19th century Customs House, the Immigration Museum is the perfect place for learning about our ancestor’s journey to Australia, exploring Australia’s migration history, sharing personal stories, researching contemporary issues, and understanding our culturally diverse community.

GSV Members can celebrate Family History Month with free entry into the Museum on Friday 18 August, Saturday 19 August. Simply show your GSV membership card upon entry to the Museum.

Visit the Immigration Museum website for information about current exhibitions and activities. idc@museum.vic.gov.au

Open 10 am – 5 pm, 7 Days. Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.      400 Flinders Street Melbourne

As a further service, the GSV is now taking bookings for DNA-specific consultations.

The focus will be on Autosomal  DNA (Ancestry DNA & Family Tree DNA,

Family Finder). 

Bookings can be made via http://gsv.org.au/consultations.html

Bring your access to your results (if you have them) and an ancestor or

pedigree chart (if you have one).

Cost GSV Members $30 Non-members $50

Friday bookings only

You might also be interested in the DNA Discussion Circle. The DNA Discussion Circle is for GSV members who would like to find out how DNA may assist them in furthering their family history. Your DNA can be used to confirm or establish links in your family tree as well as identifying your particular genetic origins. For more details, see

https://www.gsv.org.au/special-interest-groups/dna-discussion-circle

In case you missed it …

On September 1, 2017, FamilySearch will discontinue its microfilm distribution services.  (The last day to order microfilm will be on August 31, 2017.)

The change is the result of significant progress made in FamilySearch’s microfilm digitization efforts and the obsolescence of microfilm technology.

• Over 1.5 million microfilms (ca. 1.5 billion images) have been digitized by FamilySearch, including the most requested collections based on microfilm loan records worldwide.
• The remaining microfilms should be digitized by the end of 2020, and all new records from its ongoing global efforts are already using digital camera equipment.

Digital images of historical records can be accessed today in 3 places on FamilySearch.org under Search.

• Records include historical records indexed by name or organized with an image browse.
• Books include digital copies of books from the Family History Library and other libraries.
• Catalog includes a description of genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, etc.) in the FamilySearch collection.

From: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/temple-and-family-history/…

16 June 2017

SCANNING & INDEXING PROJECT REPORT

The GSV scanning and indexing project is progressing thanks to all the hard work of our volunteers. Below is an updated summary of what we have achieved so far. But each week more is added so check back.

Family Histories

498  documents have been scanned, checked and the catalogue has been updated.  These digitized records are available to GSV members within the GSV Research and Education Centre.

Genealogical index of names (GIN) - 2017

Bostocks Creek State School register no. 2893 1890-1909 index

Royal Victorian Trained Nurses Association. Register of members [nurses] February 1922

Cemeteries Database

We have now indexed 564 cemeteries making a total 788856 records in the GSV Cemeteries database.

Note: if the library catalogue location states

CEMETERIES DATABASE. The  images are attached to records in the Cemeteries database and may be viewed online.

 INDEXED IN CEMETERIES DATABASE  : The cemetery had been indexed and our scanned document is only available at the GSV. Check the instructions on the catalogue

Cemetery indexes with images (mostly transcripts) added 2017

Beeac cemetery : previously Ondit and Cundare public cemetery : headstones 20 June 1870 - 27 November 1981

Black Heath (Sailors Home) cemetery headstones and receipts 11 May 1879 - 31 March 1930

Cemetery tombstone transcription series pt 8: Woods point, Victoria [14.9.1866 - 12.2.1966]

Coburg: brief history of cemetery and plan

Deaths and burials at Casterton

Deep Lead cemetery register & headstones 19/4/1859 to 19/1/1992

Edi Upper private cemetery

Eurambeen & Eurambeen East private cemeteries: headstones 2/3/1866 - 12/7/1977

Freshwater Creek: St David's Lutheran church cemetery headstones 16/7/1867 to 1/7/1973

Jericho cemetery transcriptions 1868

Jindabyne (NSW) Soldiers Memorial Cemetery headstones 1919-1985

Kialla West cemetery register 1886-1985

Maddingley cemetery register 23/4/1863 - 14/11/1958

Maldon early burials (church burials) 1854-1856

Mornington cemetery headstones to 1951

Moroco Station, Mathoura NSW headstones 21/12/1853-28/8/1900

Mt Koroite Coleraine, Vic: private burial ground of the Young family

Noradjuha cemetery register and headstones 1891-1979

Omeo cemetery memorial inscriptions 13 July 1872 to 21 April 1980

Pine Creek Cemetery NT headstones -/9/1894 - 4/9/1970

Port Fairy (Belfast) cemetery 3 Mar 1904 - 27 Feb 1970

Rupanyup cemetery register 1914-1980 & headstones 1875-1990

Walkerville cemetery headstones 1899-1924

Warringal (Heidelberg) cemetery headstones: Roman Catholic (section M), General (Section N) 1853-1912

Yarra Glen cemetery headstones May 1864 to 16 Jan 1983.

***

Penny Scott - member GSV Writers Circle

14 June 2017

At the June 7 meeting of the Writers Circle we discussed the drafts of two new family history stories submitted by Circle members.

Bernece Schultz has done a lot of research on her South of England and Jersey ancestors who settled in Victoria and later in Tumbarumba, NSW. She said her submitted piece, Mary Ann Simmons, was written as a chapter in the middle of a book that she is writing for her family members about her maternal ancestors.

Her submission concerned the affecting story of Mary Ann Simmons (1848-1880) who in her short life experienced the death of siblings, mother, husband and children before she herself died aged thirty-two. Bernece described the living conditions and influences on Mary Ann, such as problems caused by tuberculosis, which contributed to her sad and difficult life. Bernece appreciated members’ constructive comments on the writing and the subject of the narrative.

The second piece of writing was titled The winds of change – a woman, a watch and a Whig, and the first paragraph provided the force and focus of the writing - a reference to an image of a satirical print by James Gillray. The identity, background and salacious life of the male figure in the print is revealed in the writing, and there is an amusing twist in the final sentence when the writer unwillingly admits the figure is her ancestor. 

Before the meeting the writer had outlined the feedback she would like from the group - comments on structure, tone, the flow of the narrative, its logical sequence, characterisation and references in the text. These areas and more provided the basis of a lively discussion.

The August meeting of the Writers Circle will provide an opportunity for two further members to receive feedback on their writing from the other members of the group.

During the recent process of moving, GSV identified a considerable part of its library holdings to be scanned and indexed in order to make this material more accessible for our members. This Scanning and Indexing Project is progressing well, thanks to all the hard work of the volunteer team we have assembled. We would always welcome additional assistance. Below is a brief summary of what we have achieved so far.

Cemeteries Database

We have now indexed 556 cemeteries making a total 780,980 records in the GSV Cemeteries database. We are making excellent progress but we still have approximately 110 cemeteries that have been scanned and are waiting to be indexed.

Family Histories

470 documents have been scanned, checked and the catalogue has been updated.  These digitized records are available to GSV members within the GSV Research and Education Centre.

1494 family histories from the vertical file have been scanned & are waiting to be checked. 313 family history files have been scanned & ready to be added to the catalogue.

 Cemetery indexes with images (mostly transcripts) added 2017

Moroco Station, Mathoura NSW headstones 21/12/1853-28/8/1900

Deaths and burials at Casterton

Pine Creek Cemetery NT headstones -/9/1894 - 4/9/1970

Rupanyup cemetery register 1914-1980 & headstones 1875-1990

Kialla West cemetery register 1886-1985

Coburg: brief history of cemetery and plan

Edi Upper private cemetery

Eurambeen & Eurambeen East private cemeteries: headstones 2/3/1866 - 12/7/1977

Black Heath (Sailors Home) cemetery headstones and receipts 11 May 1879 - 31 March 1930

Jindabyne (NSW) Soldiers Memorial Cemetery headstones 1919-1985

Maldon early burials (church burials) 1854-1856

Walkerville cemetery headstones 1899-1924

Jericho cemetery transcriptions 1868

Freshwater Creek: St David's Lutheran church cemetery headstones 16/7/1867 to 1/7/1973

Deep Lead cemetery register & headstones 19/4/1859 to 19/1/1992

Mornington cemetery headstones to 1951

Maddingley cemetery register 23/4/1863 - 14/11/1958.

Note: if the library catalogue location states: 'CEMETERIES DATABASE' - The  images are attached to records in the Cemeteries database and may be viewed online. 'INDEXED IN CEMETERIES DATABASE' - The cemetery had been indexed and our scanned document is only available at the GSV. Check the instructions on the catalogue.

 Genealogical index of names (GIN) - 2017

Bostocks Creek State School register no. 2893 1890-1909 index.

***

Visit us online at https://www.gsv.org.au/ or call in to our new Research and Education Centre to discover your world of family history.

On 25 May, Louise Wilson’s book, Margaret Flockton: A Fragrant Memory (Wakefield Press, 2016), won the 2016 AIGS Don Grant Award for the best submitted biography with an Australian history focus. And another GSV Writer, Margaret Vines, came second in this year's AIGS Alexander Henderson Award with her book The Baggotts from Herbertstown (2016). That Award was won by The Complete History of Arthur and Rose: the Martin, Jacka, Crougey and Commbe families in Cornwall and South Australia by Tony and Wendy Edwards.

In 2013 Louise also won the AIGS Alexander Henderson Award 2012 for the best submitted Australian Family History, with her book Southwark Luck. Two of Louise's other books were Highly Commended in other years. You can follow her writing exploits at https://www.louisewilson.com.au/.

Louise is also an active member of the GSV Writers Circle (which you can find out about here https://www.gsv.org.au/special-interest-groups/gsv-writers-circle) and in fact she submitted early parts of her winning Flockton book for review at a GSV Writer's meeting in 2011.

At GSV Writers monthly sessions, she has led discussions on topics such as reviewing family history, marketing your family history, aspects of structure, and writing a finished piece. If you missed these, you can find her articles on these subjects published in GSV's Ancestor journal in the regular 'Getting it Write' series. Ancestor is available at the GSV Research & Education Centre or members can read PDF versions on the GSV's website.

Margaret Vines is also a regular contributor at GSV Writers Circle and co-presented a session on 'the tasks involved in producing a book'. She will be conducting her regular Writing Course at GSV on August 15,22 and 29. (You can book on the website, but be quick.)

If you are facing the challenge of finally turning your never-ending research into readable and informative family history you might like to join the GSV Writers Circle, membership of which is available to all GSV Members as part of their GSV membership. As you can see above, this active self-help discussion group is fortunate to benefit from the award-winning expertise of Louise, Margaret and other published (and awarded) family-history writers.

GSV congratulates Louise Wilson and Margaret Vines!

3 May 2017 - Our current convenor, Penny Mercer reminded the GSV Writers Circle after its recent meeting that it has reached its 14th birthday!

In 2003 Penny sent out the following message to members of the GSV:

A friend of mine is a member of a writers' group for fiction writers. They meet regularly to exchange advice and constructively assess each others work. I think this is an interesting idea. It would be great to have someone other than my husband to read my stories and point out where I've not explained the ticket-of-leave system or that Belfast is now known as Port Fairy. It would be nice to exchange ideas with other writers. I'm not sure exactly what format I'd prefer but wondered whether anyone else would be interested in the idea in general.

Penny writes: 'Our first meeting was in the GSV's first Queen Street location on the first Wednesday in May 2003. By December of that year we had seven on our email list. Those without email were given printed versions of work submitted.'

Happy birthday to us!