Copulation Register
March 18, 2013 Leave a comment
It’s true – I’m not pulling your leg!
For full details have a look at the GSV blog Genealogy World!
British Isles seminar – great value!
February 23, 2013 Leave a comment
OK – I will confess to a vested interest in this seminar – it is sponsored and co-hosted by the Genealogical Society of Victoria where I work and I will definitely be attending.
Paul Milner [right] is giving four presentations on the day and as you’ll see on the GSV blog it promises to be terrific day at a great price.
The reason I’m posting it here is because many people in our region will find it worth attending – a pleasant train trip to Melbourne and a day packed full of interest for all family historians.
I hope to see you there!
Australian Medical Pioneers Index
November 30, 2011 Leave a comment
If you haven’t used the Australian Medical Pioneers Index and you’re interested in any 19th century physicians, then you’re really missing out!
This terrific resource was created by our “own” [Geelong & District] Stephen Due from Barwon Health. Stephen is also responsible for providing our Geelong & District researchers with the digitised copies of the Geelong Infirmary and Benevolent Asylum annual reports.
In November 2011 Stephen was the speaker at the regular Thursday Talks at the Genealogical Society of Victoria [GSV] - as with many of these talks it was podcast for GSV members. Unfortunately if you’re not a member of the GSV you can’t access the podcast but for those who ARE members you can download the podcast and enjoy Stephen’s talk in the comfort of your own home.
OK – I confess – I’m biased – I work at the GSV and I’m the one who catalogues and uploads the podcasts along with the millions of entries in the GIN database which members can also access from home!
SO, if you’re trying to work out a great present for someone for Christmas, why not think about a GSV membership? Of course a new membership also gives you access to the podcasts already on the members menu!
Darwin – NOT in Geelong and District!
June 12, 2011 1 Comment
It might sound funny talking about Darwin on the Geelong & District blog site but there is definitely a connection!
I try to get in a quick trip to Darwin once a year to visit family – preferably in June when the weather is terrific – low humidity and maximum of about 28-30 and minimum about 18. Mind you, yesterday morning [Saturday 11th June] you could pick the locals a mile away – they were all wearing jumpers, cardigans or coats! I was pleasantly comfortable in trousers and t-shirt. Of course that’s fairly understandable as it was 3 degrees when I left Melbourne a week ago!
Back to the connection with our region! The Genealogical Society of the Northern Territory are hungry for visiting speakers – if the opportunity arises, they go all out to plan a seminar around the speaker. This is the second year I’ve done a seminar for GSNT – and they certainly make you feel welcome and appreciated. Shauna Hicks is another “annual” visitor and GSNT make the most of her visits as well.
Last year I did 3 presentations for them. This year I gave them a list of 10 or 12 to choose from and they chose 4! I certainly found it interesting to see the ones they chose and their order of preference [in case I couldn’t manage doing 4 plus a general Q&A session with no limitations!]
Their first choice? Scots in Geelong & district to 1860. It’s normal to ask people living in Darwin where they come from – because there aren’t that many actually born and bred there – but there are a LOT of people whose ancestors spent time in Geelong & District!
The second presentation was Look Local: it’s not all on the web – one of my favourites highlighting the importance and the benefits of local & family history societies.
The third one was back to Geelong & District with the presentation I’ve given well over 100 times – Point Henry: an amazing place. Again many of the audience connected with Point Henry as it was the landing site for their immigrant ancestors in Australia.
The last presentation was one of my “left-field” ones – can guarantee that the majority of the audience may have never heard of this resource and like my Sewerage Records presentation, it’s a bit of an eye opener for everyone … Heritage Studies: a great resource.
As I said earlier, the Darwin locals are so appreciative of speakers from down south. I even had one lady drive up from Katherine the day before [300+ Kms], stay in a hotel in Darwin overnight, and drive back after the seminar. She said how it was worth every cent and every kilometre! I think I was the privileged one with someone prepared to go to those lengths to come to a seminar.
I had a ball at the seminar yesterday – terrific audience, lots of great questions, and well looked after by the GSNT – what more could you ask for?
So if you or a friend is planning a trip to Darwin, and you have experience in giving talks to those in the Genie world, why not get in touch with the GSNT and offer your services! You won’t regret it! They do a terrific job up here and deserve the support from the rest of Australia.
Oh – I’ve been invited back again next year – and I’m looking forward to it.
In the meantime it looks like we might get a couple of Darwinites visiting Geelong in September for the Victorian Expo – and we’ll certainly welcome their to our region.
