A Flea in my Ear

After reading Jennifer Jones' #AtoZChallenge blog post about Yarrawonga the other day I started singing the chorus of a song that I learnt over 40 years ago and I just couldn't get it out of my head, it became an annoying flea in my ear.

Mr Google helped me find the lyrics for "I'm going back again to Yarrawonga" here, and what I discovered was that I only knew the chorus. The original words and music can be seen here in Trove on the National Library of Australia website.

The song by Neil McBeath, a corporal in the AIF in WWI told the story of a Digger who after spending time at the front was returned to Australia. After reading the lyrics I thought it appropriate to bring it to your attention in this ANZAC week.

An early version of the song can be heard by following a link on this page: http://alldownunder.com/australian-music-songs/back-to-yarrawonga.htm

Slim Dusty used perform the chorus of this song but I much prefer the earlier recording.

An Inviting Email

My current state could be described as "bubbling over with enthusiasm". 

A few nights ago I received an email inviting me to take on another volunteering opportunity. It is the sort of volunteering role for which one doesn't volunteer but to which one is invited. I was tickled pink to be asked to take on this role through which I can contribute to genealogical education in Australia.

After an appropriate cooling off period of 12 hours I enthusiastically accepted the role which will see me working with an experienced team of genies.

I'm not sure when I can tell you what I'm doing but I can tell that this old girl is looking forward to her new 'job'.

GAGs - GeniAus' Gems - 29 April 2016

Congratulations to all my genimates who have stuck with the #AtoZChallenge. Our penultimate posts should appear today and tomorrow we reach the finish line.

It seems like an eon away that I read so many ANZAC posts commemorating the brave men and women from our families but it was just earlier this week. Watch out for the list of those who responded to the Trans-Tasman Challenge next Monday on the Kintalk blog.

Apologies for my lack of comments on your blog posts, there have been so many recently with the various challenges that have been running that I've barely had time to read them all. I accidentally deleted quite a few from my History-Australia RSS folder so those have gone unread. I really appreciate the facility on Wordpress blogs where one can quickly add a blue star to a post to let the blogger know that you have visited. Have you enabled this on your Wordpress blog?

1. This tip from Pogue might help me find my car in a a carpark.
http://pogueman.tumblr.com/post/143485299512/the-crazy-way-you-can-extend-the-range-of-your-car

2. How timely. Someone I know is going to Helsinki soon.
http://www.insidethetravellab.com/finnish-design-shop/

3. If you need a bit more Downton Abbey..
http://www.captaingreybeard.com/2016/04/princess-embraces-lord-grantham-and-the-downton-family.html

4. An excursion idea for those of us in Sydney.
http://diane-adventurebeforedementia.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/toys-and-trains.html

5. I might borrow this format for some Surname Saturday posts.
http://loiswillis.com/2016/04/23/surname-saturday-muncy/

6. It's been a while since I visited Hyde Park, I need to visit this new memorial.
http://sydney-city.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/hyde-park-war-memorial.html

7. Not the log I was expecting.
http://www.outbackfamilyhistoryblog.com/2016/04/26/2411/

8. Tiphanee responded to another geneablogging challenge.
https://branchesoftime.net/2016/04/24/the-sad-demise-of-frances-stevens-c1863-1916/

9. A few geneabloggers' posts from the #AtoZChallenge.
http://familytreefrog.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/x-is-for-x-craft.html
http://www.exploringfamily.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/memories-rural-childhood-v-views-vases-vegetables/
https://jonesfamilyhistory.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/a-z-challenge-w-for-whroo

10. And here are a few ANZAC posts that I enjoyed .
http://barbs01.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/two-great-uncles-of-mine.html
http://paulineconolly.com/2016/a-very-long-war/
https://mccollierheritage.wordpress.com/2016/04/25/anzac-day-2016/
http://www.shaunahicks.com.au/the-finn-brothers-2016-trans-tasman-anzac-day-blog-challenge/

A brand new blog that came about as the result of my Blogging Webinar for The Society of Australian Genealogists.
http://pecarandfenton.blogspot.com.au/

Newtome Blog
http://www.centenaryww1orange.com.au/home/

Ticked Off

I'm not a fan of bits of paper but, sometimes, I just have to make a paper list. This morning I made  a list of tasks to keep me on track lest I be tempted to indulge in Tangential Genealogy.

I am pleased to report that, several hours later, I am more than halfway through the list, I am on track.

It gives me a sense of satisfaction when another item is Ticked Off the list. Now I can give GeniAus a big tick too.

Trove Tuesday - Irish Ancestors

My task for the month of May is to revisit and research the Irish branch of my tree. Hopefully I can demolish a few walls along the way.

As I have a couple of Irish convict ancestors I enjoyed reading this par I found on Trove this morning.

1897 'HIS ANCESTORS.', The Catholic Press (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1942), 29 May, p. 3. , viewed 26 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104404964

A Fighter joins the Fray

It was when I read this newspaper article from 1942 I learnt that Mr GeniAus' Great-Uncle Herb, John Herbert Gillespie (1893-1964), was a former boxer. Herb Gillespie fought under the name Herb Sullivan.

John Herbert Gillespie

Above: 1942 'HERB. SULLIVAN RECALLS OLD DIGGER DAYS', Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954), 27 May, p. 15. (Edition1), viewed 23 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article178094946

As a family member had sent me a photo of Herb Gillespie in military uniform and gave me permission to use it I selected Herb for my post for the 2016 Trans-Tasman ANZAC Day Blog Challenge.

Prior to enlisting in 1917 Herb worked as an Engineer's Machinist, his next of kin was Violet (nee Baker) whom he had married in Sydney on December 4, 1915. A search on Trove indicates that Herb spent a lot of time in the boxing ring from around 1913 and turned Pro in 1915.

Herb was able to pursue his interest in boxing on the journey to England in January 1918 on Miltiades. He recounted some experiences in a letter home.

1918 'FUN ON A TROOPSHIP', Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), 2 January, p. 9. , viewed 24 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120317269

Herb was one of the lucky ones as he saw little action on the Front. After arriving in England he undertook some training and became a Physical Instructor for the forces. His background in the boxing ring and level of fitness would have equipped Herb  for this role

1918 'From England.', Sydney Sportsman (Surry Hills, NSW : 1900 - 1954), 8 June, p. 7. , viewed 24 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168483048

1918 'No title', Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), 14 August, p. 7. , viewed 24 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120305732

Finally in July 1918 Herb was shipped from Southampton to Rouelles, France. As a member of the 13th Battalion Field Artillery and then the 5th Field Artillery Brigade Herb would have seen action on the Western Front until the time of the Armistice.

Portion of Herb's service record  Source: NAA: B2455, GILLESPIE J 

It is not known how Herb sustained a fractured fibula but this injury in December caused him to be sent to hospital in England and repatriated to Australia. An Australian sporting newspaper details some of Herb's boxing activities during his time in England. Herb was fortunate that most of his battles were fought in the boxing ring against a known opponent.

1919 'HERB SULLIVAN'S RECORD ABROAD.', Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), 21 May, p. 12. , viewed 23 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120304410

Sometime after his return to Australia Herb re-entered the ring and became the Welterweight Champion for New South Wales.

1920 'WELTER CHAMPIONSHIP', The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), 2 February, p. 1. , viewed 24 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162589475

One of Herb's passions was Rugby League. He was involved with the Saint George Rugby League Club for many years.

1947 'OLD FRIENDSHIP RENEWED', The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), 18 June, p. 15. , viewed 24 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article194495628

Not only was Herb rewarded for his efforts in the ring he also was honoured in 1952  for his commitment to his employer.

1952 'Boxer Gets I.S.O.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 1 March, p. 5. , viewed 23 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49237386

Another interest of Herb's was growing Gladioli as reported in the the following article, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article194495628. the first section is below.

1947 'OLD FRIENDSHIP RENEWED', The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), 18 June, p. 15. , viewed 24 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article194495628

Details of Herb's Boxing career can be found here: http://boxrec.com/boxer/361063

---

This post has been prepared for the 2016 Trans-Tasman ANZAC Blog Challenge

GAGs - GeniAus' Gems - 22 April 2016

I am feeling a lot calmer this week as I have completed two challenges that ate into my geneatime. I actually managed to read most of the posts in my RSS feed this week, I hope you find something of value in my offerings.

I'm hoping for some quiet time over the coming weekend so that I can participate in the 2016 Trans-Tasman ANZAC Day blog challenge. Having participated each year with a post on an ANZAC from my family I want to continue the tradition.
http://kintalkfamilyhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/military-monday-2016-trans-tasman-anzac.html

1. Is this a record?

http://genealogymatters2me.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/paying-rent-for-over-100-years.html

2. Charlotte is 200.
https://readersinthemist.wordpress.com/2016/04/21/happy-birthday-charlotte-bronte/

3. For those who play trivia. I'm sudying up for my next cruise.

http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2016/04/male-and-female-animals/

4. Fancy a bus ride?
https://residentjudge.wordpress.com/2016/04/15/a-beautiful-autumn-day/

5. What about some comfort food?
http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/sausage-hash.html

6. Jackie needs a hand.
http://jackievanbergen.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/where-is-ballentarsen-victoria.html

7. And so does Patsy.
https://marymatchampitt.wordpress.com/2016/04/19/william-scott/

8. Three brides - the mind boggles.
https://jonesfamilyhistory.wordpress.com/2016/04/19/triple-wedding-taylor/

9. Good things come in small packages.
http://www.memorabiliahouse.com/2016/04/perfect-if-youre-running-short-on-shelf-space/

10. Billygoat racing!!!

http://www.outbackfamilyhistoryblog.com/2016/04/17/billy-goat-racing-excellent-sport/

11. You live as long as you are remembered.
http://shazlex.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/rebecca-drayton.html

12. A mystery solved on Trove Tuesday.
http://www.shaunahicks.com.au/john-james-carnegie-aif-puzzle-solved-trove-tuesday-blog/

You can find many #TroveTuesday posts here on Pinterest: 

https://uk.pinterest.com/travelgenee/trovetuesday/

Newtome Blog

The Rogers Family https://therogersfamilysite.wordpress.com/

. 

Learning from A-Z

Thanks to my friend Carmel I've been having fun with Photofunia an app she suggested in her post yesterday on the A-Z Blogging Challenge. Carmel has suggested some excellent apps in her series of post, I suggest you pay a visit.

My reward for finishing a couple of geneachallenges was some time to play with the app. Following are a few the images I created.

What Fun!

Trove Tuesday - Satisfaction

I am feeling rather chuffed as I have just completed two geneachallenges.

Firstly I have completed (and enjoyed) the Researching your family history course presented for Futurelearn by The University of Strathclyde.

Secondly I have finished penning my posts for the A-Z Blogging Challenge on my CurryAus blog. I feel a great sense of satisfaction at being able to research and schedule my posts twelve days prior to the end of the challenge.

As it's Tuesday I consulted Trove to find some snippets on satisfaction.

1955 'SATISFACTION', Worker (Brisbane, Qld. : 1890 - 1955), 25 April, p. 6. , viewed 19 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71403469

1933 'SATISFACTION.', Albany Advertiser (WA : 1897 - 1950), 11 December, p. 3. , viewed 19 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70231206

1940 'SATISFACTION', Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, NSW : 1911 - 1954), 1 April, p. 6. , viewed 19 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article144266097

GAGs - GeniAus' Gems - 15 April 2016

Another week as a participant in the A-Z Blogging Challenge has flown by. I found some new blogs, some of which I may follow and some which I won't visit again. It is worth visiting the list of participants to see the range of ordinary and unusual blogging topics there.

A few of my selections this week come from the challenge and quite a few from libraries and institutions. 

1. Jayne deals with some rescued items.

http://jayneshrimpton.tumblr.com/post/142688263936

2. Lazy posties?

http://www.yourbrisbanepastandpresent.com/2016/04/delivering-mail.html

3. PROV records are more accessible.

http://prov.vic.gov.au/blog-news/find-our-collection-through-trove

4. A find in Wagga Wagga.

http://memoriesofwagga.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/when-hats-were-thing-prosperous-wagga.html

5. A donation in Balmain.

http://localnotes.net.au/?p=4143

6. And one in Western Australia.

https://slwa.wordpress.com/2016/04/11/saved-from-the-skip/

7. A celebration in Queensland.

http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2016/04/01/90th-anniversary-oreillys-guest-house/

8. A trip down memory lane with Frankston.

http://flsblog.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/classic-books-for-children.html

9. And a book suggestion from Vicki (pleased it's positive I bought this one for a family member).

http://vickisc.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/girt-unauthorised-history-of-australia.html

10. A beaut product for Genealogy Societies and Family History Grooups.

http://blog.librarything.com/main/2016/04/introducing-tinycat-the-opac-for-tiny-libraries/

11. Some local stars swam at Drummoyne.

https://canadabayconnections.wordpress.com/2016/04/08/drummoyne-amateur-swimming-club/

12. And here are three from the A-Z Challenge.

• http://one-place-studies.org/j-is-for-2016/
• http://familytreefrog.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/l-is-for-leans-navy-lists.html
• http://www.exploringfamily.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/memories-rural-childhood-k-keepegg-kookaburras-koalas/

Blogiversary

Congratulations to Merron Riddiford on 5 years of blogging. Merron is doing sterling service to her community by preserving local stories through her blog https://westerndistrictfamilies.com/

Overdose

For better for worse I decided to participate in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2016 and it has been a real challenge. You can see my posts over at my CurryAus blog.

It has just dawned on me why I am finding it such an onerous task. Actually my mate Fran alluded to this in her challenge post today.

I chose to write about individuals from my surname study and each entry required quite a bit of Troveing. It has taken me hours to research and put together each post. While it has helped me progress my Surname Study it hasn't helped my mental state. Next year if I participate I will prepare my posts well in advance and at a leisurely pace and I will select a topic that doesn't require too much research.

To date I have scheduled posts to the letter S and hope to work on T today but, as I have just been notified that my L post is a wordless wonder, I must go and find where Lilian is hiding.

Meanwhile the poor old GeniAus blog is resting in the wings.

So it's Siblings' Day...

As a lonely only I have no images of my own to share.

My parents, however were both from families of five so I have dug into the family archives to find some pics of their sibling groups.

From 1947 we have My Mum, her Dad and four Sisters. Mum, Elsie, the eldest of the girls is the sole surviving sibling.

L-R Kathleen, Eileen, Frank, Mary, Elsie and Lilian Duncan

Finding an early photo of my Dad and his siblings was more of a challenge. I found one taken with their mother at my wedding in 1970. Allan, the eldest child in the family is my Dad. I am now the oldest living person in the Curry clan.

L-R Kevin, Mary (nee Tierney), Allan, Kathleen, Mary and Thomas Curry

I was blessed to have so many loving Aunts and Uncles who spoilt me rotten.

GAGs - GeniAus' Gems - 10 April 2016

Some weeks just get away from me and I have to be late or miss my regular post. The commencement of school holidays and a flurry of living family activities took precedence and, although I had gathered a collection of posts to share, I had no time to share my Gems on Friday.

With quite a number of geneabloggers participating in the 2016 Blogging from A-Z Challenge there has been an inflated number of posts coming into my RSS feed. I have met several new bloggers whose works have been added to that RSS list. I have joined the challenge on my CurryAus blog and hope to have the stamina to see it through!

It's Sunday morning and my guests have departed so I have time to catch up on geneactivities. I hope you find something of interest in my selections.

These first few posts are from the 2016 Blogging from A-Z Challenge.

1. Maria is counting the steps to Z.
http://wishful-linking-family-history.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/the-sixth-step-in-my-z-of-quirky.html

2. Anne discusses Drama in Dunolly.
http://ayfamilyhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/d-is-for-drama-in-dunolly.html

3. Roz challenges our use of Chapman Codes.
http://genwestuk.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/a-z-challenge-2016-c-is-for-chapman.html

4. Nostalgia from another Curry blogger.
https://argonautsite.wordpress.com/2016/04/07/f-is-for-first-memories/

5. Wandering Wren visits a real country show.
http://littlewanderingwren.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/88th-easter-red-hill-show-2016.html

6. As I'm a Google Girl I must share Carmel's post.
http://librarycurrants.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/a-gaggle-of-goodies.html

7. Jenny is singing "Baa, Baa Black Sheep".
http://jennyalogy.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/in-search-of-marriage.html

8. Jonas reminds us of a beaut resource.
http://earlylithuaniansinaustralia.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/the-australian-dictionary-of-biography.html

9. Chris has two Aunt Marys (so do I).
https://urungamaiden.wordpress.com/2016/04/06/everyone-needs-an-aunt-mary/

10. A lesson in ethical sharing.
https://open.abc.net.au/explore/119643

11. Tina talks of steamboats on the Murray.
http://gransdenfamily.com/canoe-trips-down-the-murray-the-alexander-arbuthnot/

12. An Irish Jig is in order for Matt.
http://thehistoryofmatt.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/catherine-conlon-found.html

New to Me Blogs

Curry Apple Orchard  https://argonautsite.wordpress.com
Molly's Canopy  http://mollyscanopy.com/
Past Whispers  thepastwhispers.blogspot.com

School Holiday Fun...

...or the way to a grandmother's heart.

Eight year old grandson interrogating my family history website yesterday. He even found an error.

We followed this up with an inspection of Great-Grandpa's military medals. 

Then later when Grandson was scavenging in a coat cupboard he found his 4x Great-Grandfather's shillalegh which we were able to relate to the Irish side of the family previously found on the family website.

Trove Tuesday - Anonymous?

When I am selecting posts to share in my weekly GeniAus Gems post on this blog one of the first things I do is to try and establish who has written whichever post I am recommending. This is sometimes quite difficult to ascertain.

During my training as a librarian years ago we were warned about Anonymous works and were counselled to approach these with a degree of scepticism. We were taught was that, during the process of evaluating a work, we had to establish the authority of the person who was the author of that work. When I am reading blogs I'm surprised at how difficult some bloggers make it for me to discover their identuty.

 I know there are some reasons like child protection, witness protection programs etc for people to remain anonymous but I don't think all the anonymous bloggers I come across are in this category.

Do you like to know who has written what you are reading?

As it's Trove Tuesday I decided to see what articles about Anonymous I could find on Trove so here goes.

1935 'Anonymous.', The Australian Worker (Sydney, NSW : 1913 - 1950), 20 March, p. 19. , viewed 05 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146008427

1923 'ANONYMOUS.', Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong, NSW : 1856 - 1950), 9 November, p. 2. , viewed 05 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133023171

1918 'ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTIONS.',Tweed Daily (Murwillumbah, NSW : 1914 - 1949), 4 September, p. 2. , viewed 05 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191058997

1903 'ANONYMOUS.', The World's News (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 1955), 6 June, p. 23. , viewed 05 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128458994

Family Historian Data Matching

One of the first messages I read on Facebook this morning was from my genimate Shelley who was excited about the latest upgrade, 6.2,  to our favourite genealogy software package, Family Historian. Shelley's glee was soon matched by Colin Spencer who also shared the news.

Not to be outdone, when I had finished my morning chores I set about downloading the Family Historian upgrade and it took ages, I usually don't download upgrades so promptly so I was keen to get this upgrade as were probably many other FH users.

The FH site told me "Users of version 6 can now download a free upgrade to Family Historian 6.2 (the full 3-digit version number is 6.2.0). The new version adds automatic record matching and ‘hints’ for Findmypast databases. To learn more, see Automatic Internet Data Matching".

Well I have a sub to Findmypast that I don't use a lot so I thought I'd give this a try. Family Historian already had data matching with MyHeritage but, as I only recently won a sub to that site at Rootstech, I hadn't set up this facility.

After taking ages to download I installed the upgrade in a minute or two and following the instructions from Family Historian I set up data matching. It took me a while to get the hang of using the tool and I had to read the instructions (something I don't often do) but now I have it down pat. 

One must use the Focus Window view in Family Historian to see the matches. A little green icon in the bottom right hand corner of a person's name indicates there are matches available.

Family Historian - Focus Window View

When one hovers over the green icon a little box appears indicating how many matches have been found in each database. Selecting one of the databases opens a web search window within Family Historian where one can view and accept or reject the suggestions. One can use an external browser which is the way I started but I found the inbuilt browser easier for me.

Although one can't directly import into Family Historian I am not perturbed, it makes me stop and think before hastily adding something. One does not have to type data into FH (which is a boon for this hunter and pecker) one can use copy and paste or drag and drop to move data from the Web Browser into Family Historian. I have added quite a few records to my CurryAus study database via this method today. Of course I am concentrating on indexes at My Heritage and giving the user submitted trees a wide berth!

Am I happy - You bet your life I am. I am sure that after some more tweaking by the developers this feature will become even easier to use. 

My genealogy software package has become even more useful and I am about to get more value from two of the databases to which I have access.

Who wouldn't be smiling?

Following Along

I'm a participant in the 2016 A-z Blog Challenge over at CurryAus.

As participants in the challenge we are encouraged to follow and comment on other people's blogs. Of course I am following my genimates' blogs but I am also committing to following these newtome blogs.

The Curry Apple Orchard https://argonautsite.wordpress.com
Genwest UK http://www.genwestuk.blogspot.com
My Genealogy Challenges http://genealogychallenges.blogspot.com
The Past Whispers  thepastwhispers.blogspot.com
Southern Graves http://blog.southerngraves.net/
Springhill History http://www.springhillhistory.org.uk/blog-3/index.html
treetrack'n http://treetrackn.blogspot.com

April Alphabets

This post first appeared on The worldwide Genealogy blog on 2 April 2016.

Yesterday I made the rash decision to join the 2016 A-Z Blogging Challenge. Now I am wondering when I will get time to eat and sleep as I follow some of the close to 2000 blogs that are on the list of participants.
I am hoping to give my CurryAus Surname Study a boost by blogging stories about Australian Currys (people not food) on my CurryAus blog. It's barely day two and the blog statistics have already spiked.

One of the reasons I joined the activity was because many of my friends were taking part and secondly I wanted to meet and learn from some new bloggers - I've hooked up with a couple.

If you haven't time to join as a blogger please consider taking a a look at the list of participants and visiting and commenting (an important part of the event) on their blogs.

Some of the newtome blogs I have discovered so far are:

Genwest UK http://www.genwestuk.blogspot.com
The Curry Apple Orchard https://argonautsite.wordpress.com
My Genealogy Challenges http://genealogychallenges.blogspot.com
Southern Graves http://blog.southerngraves.net/
Springhill History http://www.springhillhistory.org.uk/blog-3/index.html
treetrack'n http://treetrackn.blogspot.com

Surname Study - Q&A time

My post last week on Surname Studies elicited a long reply containing a few questions which I will attempt to address here.

So.....was your choice of ONS host price-based, or do all the ONS websites do basically the same thing as far as support?

My choice of The Surname Society was not just cost based but that was a big factor. The cost to register each surname study with the Guild is 12GBP on top of your subscription, there is no extra cost with The Surname Society. I had been a member of the Guild for a number of years but realised that The Surname Society was a better fit for my purposes. 

I did not need a body to host my study I needed somewhere to list, describe and promote my study. The Surname Society provides that facility for me.

The Guild may provide more resources but, as The Surname Society is new, it  has fewer resources but the collection is growing. There is immediate help available via the Surname Society Facebook Members' Group.

Have you advertised the study in any magazines or any online methods?

I initially advertised my study via several social media channels and received some helpful responses from genies with Curry connections. I have a Wordpress blog/website for the study which I hope will act as "Name Bait" for anyone doing searches on the internet. Having my blog preserved on The National Library of Australia's Pandora Archive will ensure that the Curry stories are preserved. I have added the Curry surname in Australia to a few Members' Interests lists.

http://curryaus.wordpress.com

Because I am still at the data gathering stage and there are lots of resources, both print and online with Curry information available, I don't see the need to promote widely yet. I need to organise  the mountain of data that I have recorded before I start sharing. I've yet to decide how and if I will publish the database I am developing.

With a less common surname with fewer resources available I would probably promote to find connections at an earlier stage. For this I would consider non-genie print publications like major newspaper RSVP columns and any magazines that would provide free or low-cost advertisements.

Have you written to all the Curry names in the White Pages (for eg) to attract other family members who might have information?

With a less common surname with fewer resources available I would probably contact potential family members via the White Pages etc. but for the foreseeable future I will deal with the list of resources I have and organise the information I have gathered from them. There is so much on Trove that I don't think I'll get much further than the organising stage in my lifetime, that is why I chose the CurryAus blog for my A-Z blogging challenge. 

What are you hoping to find out from other Curry family members? In my case I'd like to fill in some blanks back in Ireland, just before the Catholic records start.

Before I move offshore I want to sort out the various Curry families in Australia and record their stories so that they are not forgotten. Another reason I chose The Surname Society to register my study is because their rules aren't as prescriptive as the Guild (although I think the Guild  has loosened up recently).

Are you combining your ONS with any DNA testing? 

Not yet but definitely on the cards. I found my first potential Curry match just this week and have a few possibles who also have Curry in their trees - I may yet just find some Irish cousins..

Following the crowd

As I have been reading the posts in my RSS feed this week  I realised just how many of my geneablogging mates from downunder are participating in the 2016 A-Z Blogging Challenge.

I had avoided this activity in previous years but this morning I just couldn't help myself, I didn't want to be a wallflower. I'm a party animal and just had to join my mates. I decided that I would give my CurryAus Surname Study a boost by nominating that blog for the challenge. 

What made the difference was the  very first piece of advice on the challenge sign-up page "We recommend short posts", that sounded like me "short and sometimes sweet". 

Should you wish to follow the URL for CurryAus is http://curryaus.wordpress.com.

GAGs - GeniAus' Gems - 1 April 2016

Easter and living family got in the way of my blog reading this week ..... but I wouldn't have it any other way. Nevertheless I still managed to read all the Australian Genealogy blog posts in my RSS feed and have noted  Gems to share.

Easter Distraction

I am feeling on the outer today when I see how many of my genimates are participating in the April A-Z Blogging Challenge. The day is still young and, if I can come up with an original idea, I may still join in. I look forward to having my RSS feed inundated with all of your posts, best wishes to all of the participants.

And now for this week's Gems:

1. Lynne returns to blogging with a post about her ancestor Samuel.
https://lynnesfamilies.wordpress.com/2016/03/27/samuel-lamprey/Jackie.

2. Welcome back Jackie.
http://jackievanbergen.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/im-back-5-6-generation-charts.html

3. Matt is hot on Malachy's trail.
http://thehistoryofmatt.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/finding-malachy-or-malachi.html

4. Sharn leaves no stone unturned.
http://sharnsgenealogyhints.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/making-mary-mine-finding-evidence.html

5. eBay helps Chris with her digging.
http://theancestordigger.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/do-we-have-hibell-family-in-australia.html

6. Denise reminds us to check out our button collections.
http://thefamilycurator.com/why-you-dont-want-to-toss-grandmas-buttons-in-the-trash/

7. Anne's was the first A-Z post I read.
http://ayfamilyhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/a-is-for-accident-in-avoca.html

8. Not sure I agree with this use of old maps.
http://www.insidethetravellab.com/vintage-maps/

9. Pauline introduces us the the extended Macquarie family.
http://paulineconolly.com/2016/two-wives-hector-macquarie/

10. And Pauleen reveals her them for the A-Z Challenge.
https://cassmob.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/a-to-z-theme-reveal/

11. Pogonophiles? I just had to read on.
http://thomasnevin.com/2016/03/25/why-shave-thomas-nevin-and-the-pogonophiles/

12. I've been following this blog for ages and now I know the story of Mr Bills.
https://billswatertroughs.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/the-george-bills-story/

13. And I've made it a Baker's Dozen with this story from Jess.
https://thedustybox.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/trove-tuesday-old-ned-of-the-causeway/