Hurry – before price rise!

June 28, 2017 4 Comments

Don’t get caught out – from 1 July 2017 Victorian BDM certificates  cost more!

You have LESS THAN 3 DAYS to purchase your Victorian Historical Certificates before the price goes up.

Currently you can search (for free) and then purchase a Historical Certificate:

  • Certified Historical Certificate – $31.80
  • Uncertified Historical Certificate – $24.60

After midnight this Friday the price goes up.  I cannot find the new price apart from the statement that the new price will appear in the price list FROM 1 July 2017.

The government web pages state that the ‘Fee Unit’ from 1 July 2017 for the Justice Department (inc. BDMs) will be $14.22 – I’m not sure how that converts to an actual price!  Bottom line, it confirms an increase from 1 July 2017.

Don’t go crazy purchasing certificates just for the sake of it, but if you’ve been contemplating purchasing one or more, it’s now time to have a more serious think about it.

Filed under Events, Family history, Victoria+, What's new Tagged with , ,

Geelong and District Database – nearly there!

February 17, 2017 1 Comment

Nearly ThereI’m absolutely awe-struck with the support from friends and strangers alike – it has been amazing and humbling.  There are less than FIVE days left for the Pozible crowd funding project to help recover the Geelong and District web site and database and we are SO close.

Although technically there’s still a LONG way to go, we’ve recovered most of the web site – the really hard work is getting the database back up and bomb proofed – not just for the short-term but for the long haul!

We’re 71% of the way there – so close – but until we reach the target amount and deadline the effort could all be wasted.  The project ends and all pledges are lost if we don’t make that target.

I have my fingers and toes crossed and I’m really hoping that some people have left it until close to the end to pledge funds to this project.

Please help us achieve the target!

I even have more records to add to the database – once we can get it back up and running.

Filed under Family history, GandD Web, New Indexes and content, Web site Tagged with ,

Now I really need your help!

February 8, 2017 1 Comment

Really really sadRemember when I said the Geelong and District web site and database really needed your help?

In early January, 25 years of work was wiped off the web by ‘Company F’ – the web site and database at www.zades.com.au was removed.

You were just wonderful with your responses.

So now it’s time to move from really really sad to getting close to happy.

If the number of people who responded last time offering assistance come to the party again, we’ll be making real progress.  I can’t do it without financial help so I’ve set up a crowd-funding project where you can contribute.

With the input from a wonderful ‘knight in shining armour’, he has PROVEN that we can get the web site and database back up and running.  So this isn’t ‘Pie in the sky’ or fantasy time – this is REAL.

BUT, it really needs some funding to make it happen – obviously the sooner the better!

From 7.30 am Wednesday 8th February, the funding project will be open … visit and pledge your support.

luvyouHelp turn that really really sad face into a smiling one – please help?

I really want other local and family history researchers to again have free access to more than 1.7 million entries in my database!

It’s not just me that you will be helping – over the years many other volunteers have contributed to the database – they deserve your support as well.

Any funds raised in excess of the target will kickstart Stage 2 of the overall project.

Filed under Background Info, GandD Web, New Indexes and content, Web site, What's new Tagged with , , ,

Geelong and District database – you’re wonderful!

January 31, 2017 3 Comments

Source: http://likesuccess.com/topics/18193/knight-in-shining-armorI’m blown away with the number of offers of help, suggestions and encouragement – you are all truly wonderful.  I may need some other help and definitely some financial assistance but things are heading in the right direction.  There were so many great offers but at this stage I’ve chosen a local ‘Knight in shining armour‘ who already has some of my files and is working on recovering my web site and my database.

And no, I haven’t got my USB back from Company F yet – waiting!

I feel like I can breathe again and my respect for my fellow researchers is way up there.

Thank you all – I’ll keep you posted.

Filed under GandD Web, Web site Tagged with ,

Geelong and District web site – need your help!

January 29, 2017 27 Comments

Really really sadThis is how I feel at the moment with 25 years of work wiped off the Internet through no fault of my own.

It could be worse – I have the complete database – more than 1.7 million records – on my desktop and backed up off site.  And I have a reasonably recent backup of the Joomla web site – I say reasonably because that’s when the problem started – back in March 2016.  The company that had been hosting my web site was bought out in 2015 by another company.  The current one I call Company F for the time being.  Since I started my database back in 1992 there has been a progression of companies – the first went bust, the second (B) bought out by (C) and so on until the current – Company F.

My current urgent requirement:

  • Recommendation of web hosting company for a Joomla web site (older version).
  • Transfer my Domain Name to the new web host.
  • Set up my Joomla web site complete with SQL database on the new web host.

My secondary requirement

  • Convert the old Joomla web site to the latest version.

I’m not expecting this for nothing but I will need to set up some crowd funding to pay for it.  And I can’t do that until I can get a realistic quote to do it!

I’ve sent out emails to some contacts who might know someone who might know someone who can help.

I’m waiting for Company F to return the USB to me – with a complete copy of my web site and database etc.

Why am I not still using Company F?  NO CHOICE!

  • After agreeing to become a Company F Customer – for supposedly less than I was being charged by Company E which they have now owned for almost 2 years – I had a Company F Customer Number.
  • After pulling the plug on the server I was on, they promised to have it all up and running in the middle of January.  DIDN’T HAPPEN.
  • After promising to send me an email confirming they had done this – DIDN’T HAPPEN.
  • Then Company F had the nerve to tell me I needed to find another web hosting company because this wasn’t their core business and they weren’t going to get my site up and running.
  • Then they had the nerve to send me an invoice – to be taken directly out of my account – for a LARGE amount of money – for hosting my site!

multicrysadThis is how I feel now and I really do need your help – find me the right person who can help!

And never trust companies, who buy out others, to tell the truth and honour any existing agreements!

Filed under GandD Web, Web site, What's new Tagged with , ,

The connection between Peter Cowden and Matthew Flinders

December 11, 2016 2 Comments


Peter CowdenPeter Cowden was an esteemed member, guest speaker, researcher and past committee member of the Bellarine Historical Society.  Peter, who grew up at Portarlington where his father was a local policeman, was a keen writer who regularly contributed articles to the Bellarine Times – the Newsletter of the Bellarine Historical Society – often through talking to many about the district’s history (from the October edition of the Bellarine Times).

The Historical Society was not the only Community group that Peter was involved in.  The Bellarine Rail Trail was another passion which Peter fulfilled as an active member of the Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail.

From the Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail web site:

Peter joined our group in April 2006 and immediately involved himself in all our activities, including a stint as treasurer, whilst also specialising in publicising our environmental improvements to this very valuable community asset.  This encompassed writing newspaper articles, taking photographs that became a digital archive, developing and then presenting ‘Power-Point’ presentations along with guest speaking roles at various community clubs.  He also energetically managed our webpage – all these extra efforts taking place after he had attended our weekly working bees that have seen, since our inception in 2002, over 86,000 trees, shrubs, grasses etc. (including 50 different species) planted on the train between South Geelong and Drysdale, along with 34 reg-gum seats and 13 picnic tables built and installed.  A team effort, where the efforts of each individual are greatly appreciated.

I remember the last time I saw Peter – we were rostered on together one Sunday earlier this year to open the Museum at the Bellarine Historical Society.  Peter was there at opening time to check if I could manage on my own – he wasn’t feeling well but didn’t want to let me or the Society down.  That was the sort of man that Peter was.

Sadly Peter died on 29 July 2016 and is sorely missed by both societies as well as other community groups in which he participated – as well of course by his family.

Matthew Flinders R.N.So what is Peter’s connection with Matthew Flinders?  Peter was a passionate historian and was determined to make people aware of the importance of Matthew Flinders – in particular his visit to Port Phillip Bay in 1802.  Anne, Peter’s widow, has given her blessing for the Bellarine Historical Society to continue with Peter’s Matthew Flinders project.

Peter could not believe that ‘locals’ knew so little about Matthew Flinders and his visit to our region.  Hopefully a series of blogs might help progress Peter’s project to make people ‘aware’.

So let’s start with a simple poll in which you can participate – do you know the answer for the fourth one?

Filed under Geelong Heritage, What's new Tagged with , , ,

The old Brian Boru Hotel in Geelong

November 27, 2016 3 Comments

Brian Boru hotel - second from left - c.1880sThat’s the old Brian Boru Hotel in Geelong – the second building from the left in this sketch from the 1880s.

Fortunately it’s still standing at 208 Moorabool Street.

Unfortunately the City of Greater Geelong is a tad lacking in proactively saving our Heritage buildings.  In fact they have a bad track record and it would be nice to think this building will not join the list of others in a shocking state of disrepair and/or demolition for ‘safety’ reasons.

Former Brian Boru Hotel in c.1972This was the hotel in 1972 – photo taken by the late Ian Wynd.

Well I tried to do the right thing and link to the Geelong Advertiser article that prompted this post but I failed!  The link works fine from Google but when I tried to embed the link here it went to a subscription page!

Former Brian Boru Hotel - Geelong Advertiser 19 Nov 2016And this is what it looks like today!  The article is well worth reading and seeing the interior photos of this building that is being trashed beyond belief.  You may be able to pick up the article – I searched Google for ‘geelong advertiser brian boru hotel’ .  That option worked fine but the resulting link didn’t work when embedded.

An updated article in today’s (26 Nov 2016) Geelong Advertiser stated that the owner planned to restore the building and keep squatters out.  Time will tell – owners of other heritage buildings have allowed their building to deteriorate beyond repair.  Hopefully that won’t be the case with this one.

Were you related to any of the licensees?  What about John CLANCHY who was licensee for almost 40 years and by newspaper advertisements was still the owner when he died in 1917.  He transferred his license in 1895 to Sarah Jane CLANCHY – I wonder if this was John’s second wife (known as Sarah Jane as well as Sarah Mary Jane) who he married in 1890 or his daughter Sarah Jane who would have been only 23 at the time and did not marry until 1909.

Perhaps there are descendants around who have a photo of John CLANCHY – it would be great to add his image in a blog.  As he had 14 children from two marriages and at least 9 lived to adulthood, there are likely to be some grand-children and great-children around who may have photos in their family collections.

This list of licensees is from the book Geelong Hotels and Their Licensees by Bill Morrow and Ian Wynd.

  • 1851  Daniel HURLEY renewed (presumably established before 1851)
  • 1852  Daniel HURLEY
  • 1853  Daniel HURLEY
  • 1854  Daniel HURLY [sic]
  • 1855  John O’BRIEN
  • 1856  John O’BRIEN
  • 1857  John O’BRIEN
  • 1858  John CLANCHY
  • 1859  ?
  • 1860  John CLANCHY
  • 1861
  • 1862  John CLANCHY
  • 1863  John CLANCHY
  • 1864  John CLANCHY
  • 1865  John CLANCHY
  • 1866  John CLANCHY
  • 1867  John CLANCHY
  • 1868  John CLANCHY
  • 1869  John CLANCHY
  • 1870  John CLANCHY
  • 1871  John CLANCHY
  • 1872  John CLANCHY
  • 1873  J. CLANCHY
  • 1874  John CLANCHY
  • 1875  James CLANCHY [sic]
  • 1876  John CLANCHY
  • 1877  John CLANCHY
  • 1878  John CLANCHY
  • 1879  John CLANCHY
  • 1880  John CLANCHY
  • 1881  J. CLANCHY
  • 1882  John CLANCHY
  • 1883  John CLANCHY
  • 1884  John CLANCHY
  • 1885  John CLANCHY
  • 1886  John CLANCHY
  • 1887  John CLANCHY
  • 1888  John CLANCHY
  • 1889  John CLANCHY
  • 1890  John CLANCHY
  • 1891  John CLANCHY
  • 1892  John CLANCHY
  • 1893  John CLANCHY
  • 1894  John CLANCHY
  • 1895  John CLANCHY transferred to Sarah Jane CLANCHY
  • 1896  Sarah J CLANCHY
  • 1897  Sarah SHEPHERD
  • 1898  E. BOURDOFF
  • 1899  E. BOURDOFF
  • 1900  Elizabeth BOURDOFF
  • 1901  Elizabeth BOURDOFF
  • 1902
  • 1903  Michael KENNEDY
  • 1904  M. KENNEDY
  • 1905  M. KENNEDY
  • 1906  M. KENNEDY
  • 1907  M. O’CALLAGHAN

 

Filed under Geelong Heritage Tagged with , ,

History Week – did you know?

October 17, 2016 3 Comments

2000 - close finish. Image source: downunder exposuresEven a lot of Ocean Grove people don’t know this part of our history!  It was unique in Australia and therefore unique in Victoria AND our region – the Ocean Grove Races featuring the Ocean Grove Cup.

As the photo shows – it was a close thing at the finish line with the horses – it was also a close call to see if they finished the race before the tide came in much further.

Read ALL about the famous Ocean Grove Races as well as seeing all the of race books – fully digitised and available for download.

Filed under Events, GandD Web, What's new Tagged with , , ,

RootsWeb alternative for Geelong and District

October 1, 2016 Leave a comment

Red British post boxI know many of you will be frustrated with the technical problems that RootsWeb are having with their Mailing Lists although some of you may just think that Mailing Lists have lost their appeal and aren’t being used any more!  Just like the old fashioned letter box has lost its popularity and falling into decline.

Well, I can assure you that a number of people are missing the assistance they used to get from the Geelong and District Mailing List and the Bellarine Peninsula Mailing List.

I came to the conclusion that you could:

  • read all the complaints and contradictory suggestions on the RootsWeb Listowners Mailing List (for admins of RootsWeb Mailing Lists)
  • get cross
  • join the tirade – unfortunately many of us couldn’t as a HUGE number of email addresses / domains were not getting through to the list so that wasn’t an option for many
  • do nothing
  • do SOMETHING !

I opted for the latter as subscribers from my Mailing Lists were contacting me directly and asking what was happening and what could be done.

I know I could create a new Yahoo Mailing List but I didn’t want to “replace” the existing ones – just offer an alternative until the Mailing Lists were fixed.  The Alternative could continue with a life of its own if users wished (although I intend to post “new messages” to the old list once it recovers).

I know many people are not comfortable with Facebook and I wanted something relatively easy – so I’ve created a pseudo Blog Mailing List.

It’s called the Geelong and District Mailing List and although you can click on that link it’s really easy to remember because you just need to type in:

geelonganddistrictmailinglist.com

and you’ll find it!  Although its called the Geelong and District Mailing List it also caters for the Bellarine Peninsula.

Make sure you read the tabs: About, and Guidelines for some more information but basically:

  • Click on FOLLOW BLOG / FOLLOW THIS MAILING LIST VIA EMAIL
  • Follow the instructions to enter your email address etc.

That means you’ll get an email when a new Message / Post is added.  The email will include a COMMENT button – click on that and you’ll be taken to the Comments area for THAT Message.  Type in your comment.

That’s as hard as it gets!

Now, a brief word of warning – I’ve tested it as much as I can and I’m 99.999% certain that’s how it will work.  I may need to do a little more tweaking as people post messages but it should be good.

A couple of important things / benefits of this pseudo Mailing List:

  • Your email address does NOT appear anywhere on the Blog / Mailing List
  • I can add photos to Posts / Messages

How do you post a message?  Just click on the POST A MESSAGE tab near the top right and fill in the fields.

Initially ALL Messages Posted and Comments on Messages will be held for approval – just to make sure you are legitimate – once someone has been approved to Comment on a Message they will be able to Comment without waiting for another round of approvals.  BUT if anyone thinks this is a way to get in and cause problems, I can suspend / remove you so you don’t annoy our legitimate Mailing List users – the same sort of option the List Admin had on our RootsWeb Mailing Lists.

Posted Messages at this stage will require me to copy and paste to the Mailing List Blog – again making sure things are legitimate.  Once things have started moving, I will invite Posters to become Authors on the Mailing List Blog – ONLY if you’re comfortable to do that.  Becoming an Author will allow you to create your own Mailing List Blog on this site, edit it and add photos however it won’t allow you to edit or change anyone else’s Mailing List Blog.  It means you can post a Message without using the Post a Message form.

Confused?  Don’t worry – you can sit back and read other messages and comments just like you did on the RootsWeb Mailing List and do nothing more.  Then if you feel the urge to get involved you just need to click on the comment button in the email you received with each message.  Remember you do have to click on FOLLOW BLOG / FOLLOW THIS MAILING LIST VIA EMAIL to get the messages as emails from the list.

Let’s give it a try and see how it goes.

If you want to comment to me privately, just you the CONTACT US button in the menu at the top of this blog, or use the POST A MESSAGE button on the Mailing List Blog – both options ONLY come to me and I will get back to you personally to answer your questions.

I hope this all works – it depends on YOU – it’s frustrating not being able to use our normal Geelong and District Mailing List and the Bellarine Peninsula Mailing List, so in the meantime try the new GEELONG AND DISTRICT MAILING LIST.

Filed under Events, Family history, GandD Web, Local Societies, What's new Tagged with , , ,

2016 National Fair in Geelong

October 1, 2016 Leave a comment

2016 National Bottle & Collectables ShowA great opportunity for Geelong locals, all of Victoria and of course all of Australia to participate in the 2016 National Bottle and Collectables Fair.

As well as contacting Dave Smith in 0419 434 306 or on his email – david@belmontscouts.org.au , there are a number of web sites with additional information including site maps:

The National Fair runs from 21 to 23 October, 2016 at the Geelong Show Grounds.

Don’t miss it!

Filed under Events, Local Societies Tagged with , , ,

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