A Proud Old Genie

I look after the website for our very new local Family History Group.

Tonight at the Annual Conference Dinner of the NSW and ACT Association of Family History Societies Inc our Group received The Dorothy Fellowes Website Encouragement Award for a website administered by a society member. As our Group’s media (and website) person I was thrilled that I was in attendance at the dinner and able to collect the award on behalf of our Group.

Congratulations to our northern neighbours, Wyong Family History Group, a group with a long history who won the major award.

I was so proud that our efforts as a new Group were recognised with this Encouragement Award. That our Group that has only been in existence  for seven months received recognition for our efforts is most pleasing.

You can visit our website here: https://hornsbysfhg.wordpress.com

Jill Ball, Media Officer, Hornsby Shire Family History Group receives our award from Dorothy Fellowes.

Return to Port

I have returned with Mr GeniAus to a place where I spent many summer holidays as a child and that later we brought our children for summer holidays. I have many fond memories of summer days spent in this coastal retreat.

Little GeniAus with her Mum and Aunts on summer holidays

Port Macquarie on the mid north coast in New South Wales is a popular destination for seaside holidays and a home for retirees seeking a mild climate away from the madness of big sities.

When it was announced that Port (as the locals call it) would be the venue for the Annual Conference of the NSW & ACT Association of Family History Societies Inc. I convinced Mr GeniAus that we would need a break by the sea in September 2015. .. and here we are.

Today it took us about four hours to drive up from Sydney on a good straight highway most of the way. I seem to remember that it took much longer when I was a child as we had to negotiate the old Pacific Highway with its many twists and turns. I can remember the car radiator boiling over on Buladelah hill.

We are presently settled in a comfortable waterside hotel in  Port Macquarie; when I was a child we rented a small two bedroom flat (away from the action) in which Mum, Dad and my aunt, uncle and cousin would spend two weeks. Although our accommodation in those days was very basic I have wonderful memories of times spent on the beach, fishing in the river and visiting the various tourist attractions in the area. As we arrived at dusk I haven't had time to explore these old haunts but will do so after the conference concludes on Sunday.

Meanwhile I am excited about manning a stand (with Mr GeniAus) at the Family History Fair tomorrow for The Hornsby Shire Family History Group and representing them at the forum and annual general meeting of NSW & ACT Association of Family History Societies Inc. As this is a first for me it will be a new learning experience.

I have already met a couple of genies in the hotel and I bumped into Shauna Hicks and Max on our after dinner stroll. As much as I love the online world I enjoy catching up with my genimates in the flesh, I am particularly excited about meeting some online friends that I have not yet met in person.

Who needs beads?

When I go to genealogy/family history conferences in Australia I like to carry on a tradition started by Mr Geneablogger, Thomas MacEntee, and  embracd by DearMYRTLE. That is the distribution of Blogger Beads to geneabloggers who are attending those events.

Blogger Beads

Next week The NSW & ACT Association of Family History Societies are holding their Annual Conference in Port Macquarie. I'm wondering how many other Geneabloggers are attending the conference. Should I bring along my bag of blogger beads? Will you wear them? Can we make a time for a group photo?

If you are a geneablogger attending the Conference and would like a set of beads to wear please let me know via social media or email jillballau@gmail.com  You will be able to find me on Friday at The Family History Fair manning (with Mr GeniAus) The Hornsby Shire FHG table.

Colour Matters

While checking my slides for a presentation I am doing next week I noticed that the website of NSW & ACT Association of Family History Societies Inc. has had a bit of a facelift.

When I last visited it (quite a while ago) the site was in dull brownish tones that weren't particularly friendly or inviting. On my visit today I note that the site  was sporting a new predominantly blue theme that to me appears more appealing and inviting.

Have you considered the impact or message the colours on your website might give?

Attending a Family History Conference

Congratulations to The Botany Bay Family History Society for embracing Social Media as they prepare to host the 28th Annual Conference of the NSW & ACT Association of Family History Societies in September 2012.  The Conference has a Facebook page that provides regular updates on conference planning and activities.

On the homepage of the conference website is a welcome the video from the conference convenor, Allan Murrin.  The organisers have also harnessed YouTube where they have posted their promotional video "Attending a Family History Conference" pasted below. Coincidentally the first interviewee, Angela Lind, is a member of two of the societies to which I belong : The Society of Australian Genealogists and The Ku-ring-Gai Historical Society. Angela and others in the video were in attendance at the 2011 conference in Inverell.

Will I see you in Gymea in September next year?