Trove Tuesday - A Genfunny

As this week's contribution I'm sharing a Genfunny from 1905.

1905 'GENEALOGY.', The World's News (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 1955), 29 April, p. 4, viewed 12 October, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136666574

GAGs - GeniAus' Gems - 21 November 2015

Yesterday just disappeared on me and I didn't get round to posting my weekly list.... but a girl's gotta have fun!

An exciting event in the world of Ausralian Geneablogging took place this week when Jen Coates set up a Facebook Group for Austalian Local and Family History Bloggers. Membersip has lead me to a few "New to me" blogs and unlocked the identity of some previously anonymous (to me) bloggers. Thanks Jen for your invitation to join the group. Membership of the group is open to personal bloggers while those who blog for insitutions and societies are not able to join! If you fit the criteria do look for the group on Facebook and ask to join up.

Here is a selection from my reading this week. 

1. I'm with Lois on this.
http://loiswillis.com/2015/11/13/computer-vs-paper-forms/

2. Michelle tells of a headstone from 1804.
http://hawkesburyheritage.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/hawkesburys-oldest-headstone.html

3. Sharon asks if an historical figure influenced her grandmother.
http://shazlex.blogspot.ae/2015/11/did-sir-charles-kingsford-smith-inspire.html

4. Confused by Irish surnames?
http://astheywere.blogspot.ae/2015/11/mc-or-o-what-is-to-be-john-grenham.html

5. Spelling variations stumped Prue.
http://becomingprue.blogspot.ae/2015/11/samuel-henry-baumgarten.html

6. From one libraary to anoter
http://statelibrarynsw-familyhistory.tumblr.com/post/133380016992/a-visit-to-the-national-library-of-ireland

7. A well travelled book.
https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/11/13/the-pentateuch-that-made-three-voyages-on-the-ss-great-britain/

8. Patsy wanders down Melbourne's laneways.
http://www.patsyspaddocks.com/melbournes-laneways/

9. I love a library story, thanks Trisha.
http://northqueenslandhistory.blogspot.ae/2015/11/mr-townsvilles-municipal-library.html

10. Shelley shares a mudmap.
http://twigsofyore.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/a-quick-mud-map-of-death-search.html

11. Diane in praise of blogging.

http://diane-adventurebeforedementia.blogspot.ae/2015/11/now-and-then-or-wonders-of-blogging.html

Su talks of the "joys of blogging"
https://suzysu.wordpress.com/2015/11/19/faces-from-an-unexplored-past/

12. I think we all are similarly captivated Linda.
https://mccollierheritage.wordpress.com/2015/11/19/captivated-by-someone-from-the-past-dorothy-lindsay-johnstone/

12.

Trove Tuesday - Trifling Certificates

This past week has seen me with a case of Writers' Cramp as I have prepared our Christmas cards ready for posting.  Of course that got me thinking about Christmas cards in Australia so I popped over to Trove to see what I could find.

"Christmas Cards

Christmas cards are a modern institution. The first genuine Christmas card was sent in 1844, and it is believed the sender was W. E. Dobson, R.A. He had a friend from whom, he had received certain courtesies of which he desired to show some especial appreciation. The time was Christmas. So, after some thought, he made a sketch symbolising the spirit of the festive season and posted it to his friend. The sketch was done on a piece of Bristol board about twice the size of the modern letter-card. ' It depicted a family group toasting absent friend among appropriate sur \"roundings.From this small beginning the idea, now so largely utilised, and constituting such a vast industry, was developed." Source: 1938 'Christmas Cards.', Kalgoorlie Miner (WA : 1895 - 1950), 6 December, p. 3, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87495932

1882

"Christmas Cards.

THE Christmas cards grow more and more beautiful every year. We have received some from Messrs. Dunn and Collins, which, for richness of execution and design, excel anything ever before seen. They are elaborate works of art." Source: 1882 'Christmas Cards.', Melbourne Punch (Vic. : 1855 - 1900), 26 October, p. 8, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174557875

1883

1883 'CHRISTMAS CARDS.', Illustrated Sydney News(NSW : 1881 - 1894), 24 November, p. 7, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64035093
1913

"PERSONAL CHRISTMAS CARDS. That is your name and address with any greeting you desire neatly printed on each card. This makes your Christmas greeting a direct personal message to your friend or relation. It is the latest mode of sending a greeting and the cost is very trifling. Samples at the "Gaz- ettes" General Printing Office, will be cheerfully shown, for the English mail orders must be executed at once.-Advt." Source: 1913 'PERSONAL CHRISTMAS CARDS.', West Gippsland Gazette (Warragul, Vic. : 1898 - 1930) , 11 November, p. 2 Edition: MORNING., viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68666267

1934

1934 'CHRISTMAS CARDS.', Catholic Freeman's Journal(Sydney, NSW : 1933 - 1942), 13 December, p. 10, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146411750

1940

1940 'CHRISTMAS CARDS.', The Macleay Chronicle(Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), 16 October, p. 4, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article173124799

1954

1952 'Christmas Cards.', The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), 20 December, p. 4, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27127852

A New Title in My Genealibrary

As I was doing the Christmas shopping I spotted a book about Australian rock band, Powderfinger. I considered buying it for my son who is a fan of the band but I bought it for my Genealibrary. The book's RRP is $AU45 and I would probably have passed it by at that price. It was on sale at QBD Books for $AU14.95, a more palatable price.

ISBN: 9780733628825

Are you wondering why I bought this for my Genealibrary? 

Not long ago we discovered from a newly found elderly cousin that Mr GeniAus is related to band member,  Darren Middleton. My genealogy software tells me that Darren is Mr GeniAus' second cousin once removed. They are descended from John James Ball and Emily Royds.

This book has a chapter about Darren that contains plenty of information about his life.... true Geneagold!

You can see why I just had to buy it.

A Welcome Invitation

Usually when I receive an invitation to join yet another Facebook group my reaction is "ho hum not another group"!

Yesterday as I was travelling on the train to the city an invitation came through that brightened my day. It was from Jen Coates who has set up a FB group just for Australian Local and Family History Bloggers. What a fab idea at a time when several of my blogging mates are taking a sabbatical from blogging, we all need a little encouragement and support to keep going. As one member of the new group has said " I need some motivation to blog more often and this may help. I got out of the habit of blogging regularly a few years when I was studying and have not managed to get myself back into it to the same extent."

As I was travelling into town I added some of my mates to the group and on the way home added a few more but I didn't know how to send invitations to the many bloggers I know via Google+ and other social media channels. It's pleasing to see the way that the members of the new group have embraced the concept and it would be great to see membership grow.

Jen describes the group "I have had something like this in mind for a while as there seemed to be no place to discuss issues that were common only to history web writers. 
I would be very happy for everyone to introduce themselves once but I don't see this page as promotional as this would merely double up on the multiple avenues already available and we would be preaching to the converted!
I see this page as a resource for creative history writers."

If you fit the above criteria and would like to join the group you could try clicking on this link and seeing if it gives you an option to request membership.

Hope to see you in the group soon.

GAGs - GeniAus' Gems - 13 November 2015

As I've a busy day ahead of me tomorrow I'm preparing this post ahead of time. There was quite a collection of Remembrance Day posts this week. I had int4ended to prepare a second GAGs list of these but time has caught up with me. I hope you enjoy the following selections.

1. I love travelling vicariously with my Genimates. I enjoyed Shauna's journey.

http://www.shaunahicks.com.au/travelling-the-burnett-a-scenic-family-history-heritage-gourmet-adventure/

2. Something different from The Maritime Museum
https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/how-to-make-a-buttercream-battleship-or-delicious-destroyer-cake/

3. And so say all of us.
http://geelonganddistrict.com/2015/11/11/3-cheers-for-vic-bdms/

4. Cured,Relieved, Died  in Wagga Wagga
https://onrecordblog.wordpress.com/2015/10/27/cured-relieved-died/

5. Ideas for Movember
http://blog.nms.ac.uk/2015/11/10/ten-victorian-sensation-moustaches-for-movember/

6. Jennifer is amused.https://jonesfamilyhistory.wordpress.com/2015/11/10/trove-tuesday-those-pesky-buttons/

7. Carmel demonstrates how two favourite tools can work together.
http://librarycurrants.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/trove-tuesday-new-life-for-lists.html

8. Sharon reports on a progressive cemetery
http://shazlex.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/a-progressive-old-cemetery-stories-from.html

9. Diane helped organise a magnificent family reunion.
http://worldwidegenealogy.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/family-reunion-reflection.html

10. Via poses many questions
http://bisnonni.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/location-location-in-famly-history.html

11.Pauleen has been busy relocating and settling into her new environment. It's great to see her return to blogging with such a comprehensive post.
https://cassmob.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/death-of-an-anzac-lieutenant/

12. I bet the people at Cairns FHS are feeling super satisfied.http://cdfhs.org/cairns-born-adoptee-finds-his-birth-mother/

We will remember them

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; 

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning 

We will remember them."

Trove Tuesday - Names and Places

One of my favourite searches in Trove is a simple search for a Surname and Place eg I regularly rerun Duncan Cobar and Tierney Dungog to see if I can happen across new articles about these branches of the family in Trove.

This morning I was thinking about my Pusell branch and recalled that they lived in Burraga and Rockley so firstly I put Pusell Burraga into Trove's search box. I didn't get round to searching for Pusell Rockley because I got some valuable new hits from the Pusell Burraga search. 

The first treasure was an obituary for my Great-great Uncle, William John Pusell:

"PERSONAL

The death occurred at the Bathurst District Hospital last night, of Mr. William John Pusell, of Burraga. He had been ill for some considerable time. Mr. Pusell was born at Rock- ley 88 years ago, and lived in the  Rockley and Burraga districts all his life and was well known and highly respected. He is survived by two sis-ters, Mrs. Davis, of Burraga, Mrs.Godden, of Forbes and one brother, Mr. Jack Pusell, of Lithgow. Num- erous nephews and nieces also survive. The funeral will take place this after- noon, moving from Messrs. MacDon- ald and Moloney's funeral parlors,   223 George Street, for the Church   of England portion of the Bathurst cemetery at 3 p.m. today." (1953 'PERSONAL.', National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 - 1954), 23 October, p. 2, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161710405)

Reading on I discovered that William had been conveyed to hospital in Bathurst in October 1946 (1946 'GENERAL NEWS.', National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 - 1954), 1 October, p. 2, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161335588) and in 1952 (1952 'MEDICAL CASE.', National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 - 1954), 24 July, p. 2, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161527353). 

There are too many of these ambulance reports to list but one from 1949 caught my eye as it named Pusell's residence as "Baldridges, Burraga" giving me a new place lead to follow up. (1949 'AMBULANCE CASES.', National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 - 1954), 25 March, p. 2, viewed 10 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161699439).

In addition to articles about Great-great-Uncle William I found enough mentions of other family members to keep me amused for several hours.

Do you return regularly to Trove to carry out similar searches?

Hiding my Age

A prompt from Geneabloggers over the weekend reminded me that I had missed my blogiversary last week. I must be hiding my age well because, although Geneabloggers told me that this blog had started in 2009 I thought I was a tad older than that. I've put a reminder in my Google Calendar so that I won't miss this event next year when GeniAus turns 8.

Going back through the archives I discovered my first GeniAus post from 5 November 2008.

GeniAus First Post

 Who was I kidding? Crowded? Back in 2008 there were very few geneablogs around, I am so thrilled that, when I retired, I found a niche in which to blog. I had been blogging about education, libraries and technology for several years and enjoyed communicating via this medium and wanted to continue writing bits and pieces. I am pleased that many of my Australian Genimates have taken up blogging, presently I follow over 200 Australasian Blogs in my RSS reader.

Unfortunately I didn't keep a screen shot of my blog as it appeared in 2008. The first image in 2011 I have comes from The Wayback Machine.

GeniAus Blog 27 January 2011

Although the blog has had a number of new looks over the years the thing that has remained constant is my GeniAus portrait done by my then 7 year old granddaughter.

GeniAus Portrait 2008

Entering the Geneasphere via this blog opened up a whole new world to me. I am so grateful to all the friends and opportunities it brought my way. Thank you to all who have stopped by GeniAus over the years, I appreciate your friendship, interest and support.

My life has been enriched by through Geneablogging.

GAGs - GeniAus' Gems - 6 November 2015

I am one of three geneabloggers who has written about the world of geneablogging over the past week. Should you wish to read the articles here are the links:

Where have all the bloggers gone? http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/where-have-all-bloggers-gone.html
What is the future of genealogical blogs? http://genealogysstar.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/what-is-future-of-genealogical-blogs.html
The True Future of Blogging  http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/2015/11/2015-true-future-of-blogging.html

I am hopeful for the future because from my observations while many people give up on blogging (and I miss their contributions) there is a group of enthusiastic newbies continually joining our ranks.

Now let's concentrate on this week's contributions (and I had a huge list to choose from this week).

1. Because I can I'm sharing a post of mine to thank those who assisted with our Hornsby Shire FHG display last week.
https://hornsbysfhg.wordpress.com/2015/11/01/heritage-day-at-wallarobba/

2. A new blogging theme from Jennifer.
https://jonesfamilyhistory.wordpress.com/2015/11/04/waters-wednesday/

3. Mole in South Africa reminds us that it's Remembrance Day next week.
http://molegenealogy.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/lest-we-forget-remembrance-day-coming.html

4. A yummy Christmas gift from one of my fave blogs.
http://blogs.hht.net.au/cook/eat-your-history-the-book/

5. Shelley sends out a challenge to FindMyPast. Will she get a satisfactory reply?
http://twigsofyore.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/findmypast-frustration-metadata-madness.html

6. And Carmel highlights an issue with MyHeritage Snmart Matches.
http://librarycurrants.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/smart-or-not-so-smart-matches-on.html

7. Heather is embarking on an ambitious project and needs help from downunder
http://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com.au/p/honor-roll-project.html

8 Some useful words for genealogists
http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2015/11/synonyms-for-dying/

9. I've fond memories of reading these stories.
https://slwa.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/the-lynley-dodd-story/

10. What inspires you to blog?
https://en.blog.wordpress.com/2015/10/28/what-inspires-us-to-blog/

11. A catchy title for this post.
http://rootsbid.com/blog/panning-for-irish-genealogy-gold/

12. An interesting interpretation of a topic.
http://rootsbid.com/blog/panning-for-irish-genealogy-gold/

13. I had to make it a baker's dozen this week so you can reflect on Paula's message.
http://genealogybypaula.com/2015/10/genealogy-should-not-be-a-solitary-passion-use-the-buddy-system/

From time to time geneabloggers need to take a sabbatical. Welcome back to these two bloggers:

http://footsteps.bannisterfamily.org/2015/11/returning-to-action.html

http://hedding-family.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/when-ernulphus-hedding-was-born-on-21st.html

And here's a new to me local blog
http://berowralivinghistory.com/blog-posts/

Trove Tuesday - Parkinsons Found

We have chased Mr GeniAus' Parkinson ancestors from Yorkshire to Australia and back again and haven't been able to gather much info on them.

I noticed earlier today that The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954) is now digitised on Trove and I knew that the Parkinsons when in Australia resided in Armidale so off I went to Trove where I did a simple search for Parkinson in that newspaper..... and I found some stuff.

I didn't expect to find an obituary for William Henry Parkinson of Batley, Yorkshire, Mr GeniAus' Great-Grandfather.

1925 'OBITUARY.', The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), 11 September, p. 6, viewed 2 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191992774

This is so exciting as it confirms the children's names and locations and tells us something about the old boy's activities.

 Mr GeniAus' Great Uncle, George Henry,  stayed in Australia when the rest of the family returned to Yorkshire. An item in 1903 relayed some sad news for the Parkinson family.

1903 'Events & Rumours.', The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), 13 February, p. 5, viewed 2 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191959755

I didn't realise that another brother, Robert was working in Liverpool, NSW but I knew that Harry was in England. This item filled me in.

1916 '"HELL ON EARTH.".', The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), 4 February, p. 6, viewed 2 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191872649

Another article (1927 'Mr. G. H. PARKINSON.', The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), 19 July, p. 2, viewed 2 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article192071565) that I will try to transcribe later tells me that George Parkinson was afforded a hearty farewell by the congregation of the Armidale Methodist Church when he left his position at Armidale Motors to move to Ipswich in Queensland in 1927.

And finally in 1949 there is news of George's death.

1949 'PERSONAL.', The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), 18 February, p. 8, viewed 2 November, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article193686273

I wonder if there is an Ipswich paper digitsed on Trove that will tell me more of the Parkinson story.

Joining the J Team

There's nothing like being ready ahead of time and I'm ready for Saturday.

I was thrilled when I was approached by Heather Garnsey from The Society of Australian Genealogists to join a panel for their first virtual  "Lost In weekend : how to do your Family History in 2015" that will be held on Saturday and Sunday 7 and 8 November. Being part of this event which I think is the first online conference orgainsed by a genealogy society in Australia is so exciting. Events like this that allow distant members to connect with presenters in other locations should be a part of all major society education programs.

A healthy number of genies have registered for the event which is open to members and the public - if you have been considering attending it would be wise to register now as there is a ceiling on  the number of registrations. You can view the program and register at the SAG website.

I will be appearing between 1:30 and 2:30 pm on Saturday in What’s the best organising system? – Panel discussion: described thus "Family history research generates a lot of documents, photos and certificates. A panel of researchers discuss how they organise all their stuff, to help you choose a system that works for you."

My Presentation for Saturday

I heard today that I will be joined by fellow SAG members Jennie Fairs and Judy Keena - perhaps we can call ourselves The J Team. My greatest challenge is that we are each to speak for only 8-10 minutes and then answer questions from attendees. I think I'm going to be speaking very fast.

I hope some of you will join me on Saturday.

Bring on the Keynotes

Many of my fellow Ambassadors for the 2016 Rootstech Conference have been busy sharing details of the Keynote speakers that have been announced for the Thursday Rootstech Sessions. You can read all about them here.

As a foreigner I have only heard of one of the three speakers, Steve Rockwood, but I am not perturbed because the Rootstech organisers have consistently sourced excellent people (most  who were previously unknown to me) as keynotes. Some like Curt Witcher and Jay Verkler (of the amazing hair) have really resonated with me as they shared very strong messages about the Future of Genealogy.

I got to interview Jay Verkler at the first Rootstech in 2011

How about the barefoot boy, Josh Coates, who presented without shoes in wintry Salt Lake City? Judy Russell's keynote in 2014 was a real wakeup call and multi-faceted David Pogue in 2013 (whom I got to interview - watch it here) was a real showman. This year young Australian, Tan Le, had many in tears while Old Rocker, Donny Osmond, took us on a trip down memory lane. And then there was everyone's cousin, A J Jacobs,  who befriended the geneabloggers. I passed on an invitation to interview this funny guy and have been regretting it ever since.

A chat on the couch with Tan Le

A J Jacobs and his geneablogging cousins

 One of the reasons I attend Rootstech is to hear new (to me), inspiring, entertaining and challenging speakers and I am more than satisfied with most of the selections made by the organisers each year.

I don't mind who they serve up - the keynotes will make my trip worthwhile.

And here's that interview with David Pogue:

Where have all the Bloggers gone?

The number of blog posts that appear in my RSS feed each week has been slowly diminishing.  Some of my geneablogging mates have disappeared from the scene and some are blogging less frequently. I miss you all and hope that you'll return to blogging real soon.

Some Geneablogging Mates 2012

Apologies to Peter, Paul and Mary  for the following:

Where have all the bloggers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the bloggers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the bloggers gone?
Lost in cyberspace, everyone?
Oh, we miss our blogging friends?
Oh, when will you ever blog?

Where have all the bloggers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the bloggers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the bloggers gone?
Researching, every hour?
Oh, we miss our blogging friends?
Oh, when will you ever blog?

Where have all the bloggers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the bloggers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the bloggers gone?
Lost in archives, everywhere?
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn? 

Where have all the bloggers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the bloggers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the bloggers gone?
Gone to graveyards, everyone?
Oh, when will they ever blog?
Oh, when will they ever blog? 

Where have all the bloggers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the bloggers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the bloggers gone?
We miss you, everyone.
Oh, we miss our blogging friends?
Oh, when will you ever blog?

Where have all the bloggers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the bloggers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the bloggers gone?
Please come back, everyone.
Oh, we miss our blogging friends?
Oh, when will you ever blog?