GAGs - GeniAus' Gems - 11 November 2016

As I'm going out on the town tomorrow I am preparing this post early  and as a result it won't include any posts published after 4pm Thursday.

Many of the post I share appeal to me because they remind me of places I visited as a child.

1. I remember swimming here.
http://swimsallyswim.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/darelle-and-sallys-swimming-adventures.html

2. And we had many family picnics here.
https://sydneycemeteryadventures.wordpress.com/2016/11/07/vault-of-william-carss/

3. Our convict ancestors enjoyed this menu!
http://blogs.hht.net.au/cook/reconstructing-dinner-in-the-hyde-park-barracks-destitute-asylum/

4. You can explore this collection on your device.
https://anmm.wordpress.com/2016/11/07/unleash-your-inner-curator-exploring-our-collection-online/

5. These adjectives may enhance your writing.
http://custom-writing.org/blog/writing-tips/28365.html

6. Use copyrighted images at your peril.
http://www.yourbrisbanepastandpresent.com/2016/11/copyright-101.html

7. Kerryn's ancestor didn't swim.
http://ancestorchaser.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/knight-family-wiltshire-to-australia.html

8. Nana and Pop's story discovered.
https://suzysu.wordpress.com/2016/11/09/opening-the-door-on-a-new-journey/

9. Fran joined the Genealogy Photo a Day Challenge
http://travelgenee.com/genealogyphotoaday-instagram-november-07-2016/

As it's Remembrance Day here are a couple of military themed posts

10. Canada Bay Memorials.
https://canadabayconnections.wordpress.com/2016/11/05/remembrances-of-war/

11. A film to view.
http://empirecall.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/westgarthtown-world-war-1.html

12. An Irish Airman forsees his death.
http://molegenealogy.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/remembrance-day-11-november-2016_8.html

Remembering Local Soldiers

On this Remembrance Day November 11 I am sharing a link to a work,  commonly known as The Argus War Book, that was published shortly after World War 1. I have known of the existence of the work for many years but had never handled or seen a copy.

As I was indulging in a bit of tangential research last week I came across a blog post (Please read it all) from Parramatta Heritage Centre that talked about the history of  "The Argus War Book: Parramatta and District Soldiers who Fought in the Great War" and mentioned the areas included in the book. 

I was surprised to find that all these places were included: "Parramatta, Granville and Clyde, Auburn, Lidcombe the book continues to include Liverpool, Marsden Park, Ingleburn, Hoxton Park, Cecil Park, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, St. John’s Park, Smithfield, Fairfield, Wetherill Park, Bossley Park, Guildford, Merrylands, Westmead, Wentworthville, Toongabbie, Seven Hills, Blacktown, Prospect, Plumpton, Schofield’s Siding, Sackvllle, Eastern Creek, Rouse Hill, Arcadia, Baulkham Hills. Castle Hill, Dural, Galston, Glenhaven, Glenorie, Kellyville, Kenthurst, Carlingford, Dundas, Ermington and Rydalmere, Waitara, Hornsby, Normanhurst, Thornlelgh, Pennant Hills, Beecroft, Cheltenham, Epping, Eastwood, Ryde, Meadowbank and Gladesville." Both Mr GeniAus and I have ancestors in one or some of these areas.

Great-Grandfather John James Ball

The exciting news conveyed in the blog post was that the publication has been digitised and it may be viewed from this link. I was finally able to get my (virtual) hands on this 271 page book which contains photographs and concise biographical information on military men and nurses from the district.

 I was particularly interested in  the Liverpool soldiers because I have been researching Mr GeniAus' Ball ancestors who were not mentioned in the recent Liverpool publication "Our Liverpool Boys". 

What I discovered were mentions and photos of  Great-Grandfather John James Ball,  Grandfather James Ball, Great Uncle Fred Ball and several cousins. Until we came across this digitised publication we had never  seen a photo of John James. 

Today as I reflect on the sacrifices made by our military ancestors I commend the people at Parramatta who have provided access to this valuable resource for local families.

We Will Remember Them

Blogiversary Confusion

I was delighted this morning to receive blogiversary wishes on Facebook from Geneabloggers and some genimates but when I looked at the date quoted it didn't quite gel.  I thought my blog was a tad older than that post suggested.

Going back through the GeniAus blog archive I discovered that my blog actually turned 8 on November 5th. Here is what I said in my first post on that day:

 A crowded blogosphere? I must have been wearing blinkers - there were very few genealogy blogs in existence when I got started and only a handful from downunder. Geneablogs now number in the thousands. I have seen many come and go while a few oldies continue to flourish. Notable among these are Olive Tree Genealogy, Genea-Musings and Genealogy's Star. In 2008 Geneablogging downunder was a lonely pursuit. Pauleen's Family History across the Seas launched in December 2009 is one blog that has weathered the storm. The authors of these four geneablogs have become friends along the way.

I have been retired (from paid work) for nearly eight years and find myself busier than ever. Geneablogging has enriched my life in retirement. It has delivered friendships, put me in contact with distant relatives, informed and taught me, given me opportunities to teach others and, through my role as a Rootstech Ambassador, encouraged me to travel to distant lands and opened doors to places and experiences that I had only dreamt about.

Although I primarily blog for myself, my family and future generations I am most grateful for those who come along for the ride. Many of these readers are unknown to me. I got such a buzz at the Society of Australian Genealogists event last Saturday when one of my readers sought me out to tell me how much she enjoyed my blog. Thank you to that lady and the other readers my stats tell me I have.

I am still not organised and have more mysteries than ever to solve but I am having a beaut time. I'm not too concerned about my messy geneacave and piles of files - as long as I am progressing and sharing my research and knowledge I am content.

I hope to be blogging eight years from now.

View from my Desk

New view from my desk

I enjoy a beautiful view from my desk out through a window to the garden but now I also have a new view straight ahead of me through an internal door. Until last Wednesday I could only see a blank wall but due to Mr GeniAus' obsession I have a pretty sight to see.

On several occasions I have blogged about Mr GeniAus' clockmaking ancestor, James Gowans (1806-1886), and our mission to find clocks made by James. We affectionately call this old chap "James the Clock". I wrote in February 2010 about James' clocks and expressed a wish that one day we would own a clock made by James.

Over the years I have devoted several posts to the  "James the Clock" saga. If you have a spare few hours you can read them, otherwise just skip over the links.

http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2010/02/james-clock.html 
http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2010/05/tick-tock-we-think-weve-found-gowans.html 
http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/on-road-again.html 
http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/2000-km-to-see-clock-was-it-worth-it.html 
http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/two-men-and-clock.html 
http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/a-4x-great-grandfather-clock.html 
http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/and-now-there-are-six.html
http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/and-now-there-are-seven.html

If you have read all the posts you will know that the cousin we met through social media had a Gowans clock with provenance; his clock has been passed down through the Gowans family. On our last visit to England in June the cousin told us that it was time for us to take the clock home. He has no offspring and decided on one of our earlier visits that, as we have four offspring and a tribe of grandchildren, the clock had a better chance of staying in the family than if it remained with him. We were thrilled that he was ready to say goodbye to the clock, we had not wanted to rush him.  On arriving home in Australia we contacted shipping agents and with the assistance of the cousin organised for the clock to join us at home.

Another plus is that the clock is a completely different style from the one that is is our living room.

Although the clock arrived on the wharf in Sydney nearly two months ago it spent some time with customs and agents and was released to make the hour's journey to our home last week. Our cousin was relieved when we told him that it had finally been delivered but wasn't so excited when I said it was in our kitchen. I reminded him that it was a very nice kitchen.

I was out when the clock arrived but Mr GeniAus unpacked it and put it together and it was ticking away beautifully by the time I got home. It bongs loudly (one couldn't call it a chime) on the half hour and hour with the midday and midnight performances being quite long. I don't mind the noise because it is such a pretty piece and lovely to look at. Take a look for yourself.