Trove Tuesday - A Birthday Present

I'm not sharing articles from Trove this week but the story of a present that came to me because of Trove.

A couple of years ago we relocated from Sydney to Lake Macquarie. Since then I have wanting to learn about my new locality and its history. My son, who is also a fan of Trove, knew of this and searched through the images on Trove. He found some relevant to our location, talked to the people at Trove and arranged to have the images printed then framed for my last birthday in July.

I was overwhelmed not only with the present but with the time and thought that went into selecting something personal and relevant to my interests.  It has taken us a while to decide where to hang the images of local estate plans and maps that include one of the original sale of the subdivision on which our home sits.We finally put them on our landing where they will be seen and appreciated by everyone who visits our new home.

Thankyou, Jonathon, Joanne and family for this sensational gift.

Accentuate the Positive Geneameme 2019

Once again I am asking you to reflect on your geneayear. I ran a version of this meme each year between 2012 and 2017 but somehow forgot to post it last year. 

I am back again asking you to take some time to reflect on the past year and rejoice in your successes.

Accentuate the Positive Geneameme 2019

I invite you to take part in this activity by responding to the following statements/questions in a blog post. Write as much or as little as you want and complete as many statements as you wish. If you wish to take part and don't have a blog email me your responses and I will post them here on the GeniAus blog.

Once you have done so please share your post's link in a comment on this post or to me via email to jillballau@gmail.com. I will, in January, compile a list of links to your contributions here on this blog.

Remember to Accentuate the Positive 
(Please delete the items that are not relevant to your situation.)

1.  An elusive ancestor I found was

2.  A great newspaper article I found was

3.  A geneajourney I took was

4.  I locate an important record

5.  A newly found family member shared

6.  A geneasurprise I received was

7.   My 2019 social media post that I was particularly proud of was

8.   I made a new genimate who

9.  A new piece of technology or skill I mastered was

10. I joined

11. A genealogy education session or event from which I learnt something new was

12. A blog post that taught me something new was

13. A DNA discovery I made was

14. I taught a genimate how to

15. A brick wall I demolished was 

16. A great site I visited was

17. A new genealogy/history book I enjoyed was

18. It was exciting to finally meet

19. I am excited for 2020 because

20. Another positive I would like to share is ...

Home from Rootstech London

After eight weeks on the road (well mainly on the sea) I arrived home from Rootstech London last week. From London we travelled to Miami and then took a ship through the Panama Canal, down the west coast of South America and up the east coast to Buenos Aires where we changed ships for a cruise to Antarctica. Rootstech London seems like a distant memory. During this time not only GeniAus but also her Family History Research has been on the ice.

GeniAus on Ice

Having  Christmas out of the way my thoughts are turning to family history. This morning I have been unpacking my Rootstech Stuff and thumbing through the notes I took at the conference.

Rootstech London Notebook

As always at a Rootstech event I had a wonderful time as an Ambassador at the London show. I was delighted that such a large contingent of  Downunder genies travelled to the event. We started off the week with a dinner for Downunder Genies at a local pub on the night prior to the conference then it was a crazy ride of lectures, interviews, networking, shopping and socialising until the final evening when Mr GeniAus and I had a quiet dinner at our hotel with genimate and Rootstech Ambassador Sharn White and her husband David.

Most of the Downunder Genies at Rootstech (a few missed the photocall)

I loved the vibe of Rootstech London and the program of lectures that were relevant to an Australian with British and Irish Roots. I just hope that the people at Rootstech plan another Rootstech in London. Mr GeniAus and I will definitely be there. Rootstech invigorates and inspires me to continue with my geneajourney.

For now I must read through that notebook more thoroughly and apply my learning from Rootstech London to my research.

Graves in Guyaquil

When travelling in foreign countries I take photos of any cemeteries that we pass by. Unfortunately the photos I take from speeding buses are not of the best quality. However when we passed the Cemetery in Guyaquil, Ecuador recently the traffic caused the bus to travel at snails' pace so I was able to grab a few images through the windows. If ever I have the chance to visit Guyaquil again this cemetery will certainly be on my itinerary.

As in other South American countries we have visited the interments all appear to be above ground. The more modern multi-storey buildings with compartments for burials are similar to some we have seen in the United States.

11 November

Cushion Cover, St Georges Chapel, Ypres (Photo by Jill Ball)

Aussies at Rootstech London

One of the Rootstech Organisers told me there were 50+ Australians registered for Rootstech London while another told me there were 60. I think I managed to hook up with about 40 of them prior to or at the event. I was told that the Australians were the second largest group of overseas registrants after genies from the USA at the event.

Some of the Aussies at Rootstech gathered for a photo

Whatever the number it was a vast improvement on the the numbers that travel to Salt Lake City each year for the annual Rootstech conference there. In my interviews and chats with the Australians in London all agreed that for the many Australians who have British, Irish and European ancestry London is a more attractive venue because it can be combined with visits to ancestral cities and towns and associated national, regional and local archives.

Cathie Sherwood, Kerry Farmer and Brad Argent represented Australia on the Rootstech London program while Fran Kitto, Sharn White, Jenny Joyce and I  acted as Ambassadors. We Ambassadors were very busy tweeting throughout the event. I also posted quite a few photos of the event on my Facebook Page here.

Prior to the event we had an active Facebook Group with lots of discussion and friendly advice being shared. We organised meetups in Sydney and London prior to the event so that we would all know some familiar faces when we got tothe Excel Centre for Rootstech London. All members of that group met new genies who became their genimates. I was especially pleased that my third cousin Regina, whom I had only met on one previous occasion was at the event. Having a fellow descendant of our convict Elizabeth Phipps from London with me there was very special.

Cousin Regina and I

I managed to interview a few Australian genies while at Rootstech London. I just wish I would have had time to chat with more. If you are considering a visit to Rootstech if it is staged again in London  then listen to what these genies had to say in our interviews and as Fran Kitto said "Start saving your pennies".

Going walkabout at Rootstech London

Mr GeniAus accompanied me to the first Rootstech London, As an Ambassador I am finding it very helpful to have his support at the event. When not attending talks he has been busy taking photos and recording interviews for me.

Yesterday I asked him to go walkabout and take some photos of the exhibitors at the event. The photos below show the diverse range of exhibitors in attendanceat Rootstech London. There is something to interest all family historians. Anyone can visit the exhibit hall for free during the event.

The Conference Checklist - Rootstech London

When I usually attend a Rootstech event it is a shorter trip from Australia to Salt Lake City followed by a spot of touristing in the USA. This time Rootstech London comes at the beginning of an eight week holiday that takes us to the US, South America and Antarctica so getting ready is a real challenge as I need clothes and gear for so many climates. I also need space for my two day shopping spree in Miami.

I had my hair cut very short but will it last the distance? Now I need to look at the checklist I did for the last geneaconference, THE Genealogy Show 2019, that I attended in England  and modify it. 

If you are looking for me at Rootstech just seek out the little old lady with the distinctive bag.

The GeniAus bag

Here is my list. Highlighted is what else I must still do

• Airport transfer - Booked. After a 23+ hour flight we want our transfer to the hotel to be stress free. 
• Books - A couple of unread books that I can swap on our cruise ship once read. Have also download a few eBooks from the local library onto my phone.
• Purchase and pack breakfast bars, liquid breakfasts and healthy snacks for quick meals.
• Pack Clothes - always a challenge
• Deliver Paddy to his second home where he loves playing with his mate Freddo.
• Empty the Frig and Pantry - In Progress - they already resemble Mother Hubbard's Cupboard.
• Flights - Booked, Seats are allocated so no need to book in online.
• Foreign Currency - Task delegated to Mr GeniAus. Have GBP and USD.
• Hotel Accommodation - All booked.
• Luggage - Two small suitcases are easier than one large one for an old girl to manage, I take one small carryon for the plane basically because I can't pack batteries and laptop in luggage for the hold. I can't understand why so many people carry such large bags on board - they must pack the kitchen sink. I could make do with a large handbag.
• Maps - will rely on Google maps on my phone and 
• Mobile Phone and Battery Pack - We have a plan that gives us international roaming and a small data allowance. It is handy to be able to phone Mr GeniAus when I lose him in a cemetery or shopping mall. I had a dinosaur battery pack that is so heavy. Now have a lighter new one that give two charges.
• A Notebook - I lose loose bits of paper.
• Oyster Card for travel on London network
• Passport and ESTA (for the US) - Already in travel handbag with sleeping pills for the plane.
• Pegs and Laundry Soap -  No need to buy expensive "travel" products. 
• Pencil Case - a few pens and pencils and a small ruler that has a magnifying window(Handy for reading small print or old handwriting).

Nifty ruler with magnifying window 

• Phone the Banks and Amex:  Need to let them know we are travelling, helps them monitor for fraud - Done.
• Pills and potions - All sorted, have packed an emergency 'just in case' kit of favourites. A few days supply in handbag in case we part company with our bags.
• Rental Car - another job for Mr GeniAus, done months ago. 
• Compile list of research tasks for The National Archives - In progress in my Family Historian Database.
• Clean off all my SD cards - have backed up all photos on them to two hard drives.

Storage for my SD Cards

• Technology: Digital camera and charger, Laptop, Portable 4 TB HDD Drive ( I download and tag my photos religiously most days), Chargers, Universal Adapters. Most of this stuff lives in a purpose designed case that doesn't get unpacked between trips.  Of course my mouse will be travelling with me, I can't get by without my mouse.
• Scan Travel Docs - Include copies of prescriptions for drugs and glasses, health report from GP, Passport, Credit cards, Driver's Licence. Save onto phone, hard drive, Google Drive and computer. Mr GeniAus carries a hard copy of files as well.
• Should I take a Selfie Stick? I have a cheap, light one and a quality reliable one that is heavy.
• Travel insurance - Renewed.
• Walking stick - needed for cities with cobblestone and uneven paths.
• Water bottle - Can fill once I have passed through security at airports.

My Travel Tech setup 

Specifically for Rootstech

• Find out names of Aussies who are travelling to Rootstech London -- have set up a Facebook Group and organised a pre-conference dinner 
• Blogger Beads - which ones will I wear?
• Follow fellow Show attendees on Twitter - added a few new genimates to my feed already.
• Conference Registration - Pass downloaded and printed
• A light day bag for conference - Packed
• GeniAus Business Cards 
• GeniAus Ribbons 
• A Notebook - I find writing notes helps me to reinforce my learning
• Rootstech App - Downloaded
• A Schedule - Have put everything into my Google Calendar. Needs to be accessible on my phone.
• Technology - I take a few extra toys when attending a conference as I may want to blog, vlog or interview genimates includes A dual headed microphone for interviewing with my phone. 

Trove Tuesday - Sydney to London

This time next week I will be arriving at Gatwick as a bleary eyed traveller who has survived the 23hours 45 minutes flight (if there are no hiccups along the way) from Sydney to London. While we moan and complain about our long haul flights we need to remember our ancestors whose journeys took way longer than ours do now.

A search of Trove gives us an insight into our ancestors' journeys.

1926 'FUTURE OF AIR TRAVEL.', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 11 November, p. 11. , viewed 15 Oct 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202209834

You can continue reading this lengthy article from the link above.

1936 'REDUCED FARES FOR AIR TRAVEL TO LONDON', The Evening News (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1924 - 1941), 15 August, p. 1. , viewed 15 Oct 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202476116

1935 'AIR TRAVEL', The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), 13 June, p. 6. , viewed 15 Oct 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30090881

1946 'CHEAP AIR TRAVEL PLAN TO AUSTRALIA', The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), 31 January, p. 1. , viewed 15 Oct 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2662022

The Measuring Worth website tells me that 220 Australian pounds in 1946 would have been worth $AUD14,246.00. in 2018. The Webjet website tells me that tomorrow I could fly Return Economy to London for  $1146 and on Qantas for $1522. A Business Class return fare is available for $5431. 

In comparison my Business Class flight next week looks like good value and I am sure it will be more comfortable than a 1946 flight. I know it will be faster than a flight in 1946.

By 1957 flight times were reduced to a mere 28 hours, much closer to what we have to endure today.

1957 'Sydney-London Air Travel Time To Be Reduced', The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), 3 January, p. 3. , viewed 15 Oct 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91231060