AIATSIS

One of the stands at the recent NSW&ACT State Conference that really interested me was hosted by The Kari Group.  

Kari Group

I am quite sure that I have an aboriginal ancestor, Biddy Sergeant, whom I think was the mother of my ancestor, Bridget Ann Hayward.  I just can't find any evidence to support my supposition. Unfortunately I didn't get to visit the stall until the very end of the conference so I didn't have time to converse in depth with the friendly people there. 

In the short time I had they were most helpful and gave me a wad of handouts from AIATSIS that I am just getting around to  examining. I was just having a wander around the AIATSIS website and found that they have a Family History Unit and that the wad of papers I was given as handouts are available on their site as downloadable .pdf files from the Family History Kit. One can also search for a family name in the Aboriginal Biographical Index. 

Takeaway

One of Lisa Murray's thought bubbles from last weekend's conference.  It applies to so many situations.

Who was it?

Someone  at last weekend's conference asked me about an alternative for iGoogle. Although I had read of a few alternative solutions I couldn't immediately recall remember what they were.

Hopefully that person reads my blog where I am providing  a link to a relevant
post from one of my fave Edtech bloggers.

Backstit.ch - Another iGoogle Alternative

Conference Wrap-up

As I didn't work on a stand on the 3rd day of the Annual NSW & ACT Family History Conference I was able to watch (instead of just listen) to the speakers on the program. 

After meeting up for breakfast at Tradies with a mate from The Ku-ring-gai Historical Society I settled myself in a front row seat for the performances and found myself sitting beside her.The morning's program with its varied range of topics was interesting and educative. All speaker notes and links can be found on the Conference website.

The Conference Committee, under the stewardship of Allan Murrin, organised a superb conference that appeared to go without a hitch. Thank you to all the members of Botany Bay Family History Society for  looking after us so well. My special thanks go to Heather Clarey who looked after the speakers for her care and consideration in the months leading up to the event.

Following are a few snaps I caught on Sunday morning.

Conference Committee

Mr Rowan - Conference MC

Brad Manera from the ANZAC Memorial, Hyde Park  

Dr Lisa Murray - City of Sydney Historian

Lisa's Opening Slide

Cassie and Ben from Inside History Magazine

Kerry from Parramatta - Hadn't seen her since the 1980s

Jonathan Auld - a mate from Hawkesbury Family History Group 

Geniaus (L) with Michelle Nichols - Hawkesbury Local Studies Librarian

Paul Parton from Familysearch shares the news about the new Familysearch  Family Tree

I added Ellen Moore (my 3x Greatgrandmother) to the Parramatta Female Factory's list of inmates

Some Cemeteries were represented

The Kari Group had an excellent handout and great advice

Last Lecture was from Paul Brunton - The State Library of NSW

A Few Snaps

'Twas another busy day at the NSW Family History Confeerence today where I managed to catch a few snaps. Hopefully I'll grab some more photos this evening at the Conference Dinner.

Scrambled Eggs - Tradies Style

Smiles all round at Registration

NZ President, Michelle Patient was assisted by Jean Smith

Canberra - venue for the 2013 Conference

Nepean Belles

Jan Gow and Alan Phillips

Noeline Kyle

Where are the photos?

When I am at a conference I usually run around snapping photos to pop into blog posts. Today, however, I have let the side down so, dear readers, you will have to make do with a couple of snaps and a slab of text.

Trade Fair this morning

For those not in the loop I am attending  the 28th Annual Conference of the NSW & ACT Association of Family History Societies hosted by The Botany Bay Family History Society at Tradies in the southern Sydney suburb of Gymea. Today was a Genealogy Expo day with the conference proper kicking off tomorrow for two days.

First impressions stick and mine was good as the venue has a large adjacent carpark and I was able to get a convenient spot when I arrived for the day (and when I returned for the Meet and Greet this evening). A very friendly doorman greeted me as I arrived and directed me to the expo area on the lower ground floor. There was no way I could have got lost as there were volunteers from the host Society at every turn to direct visitors to the conference area.

As I was working on one of the trade stands demonstrating the Flip-Pal for Gould Genealogy I did not get a chance to wander around the area but I can report that there was a lot of shopping and socialising taking place. I enjoy showing off the Flip-Pal as it gives me a chance to sit down for most of the day and an opportunity to meet many new and interesting people that I would not otherwise meet. 

I had a break from the Flip-Pal in the middle of the day when I presented a workshop on my of my favourite topics, geneablogging. I hope that I was able to demonstrate the value of blogs for genealogy to those who came along. This old teacher loves having a chance to tread the boards; thanks to the Conference Committee for including me in your program.   Thanks also to Michelle Nichols, Jonathan Auld and my two new Twitter mates Charlotte and Kelly for tweeting about my session. 

Having spoken nonstop for over three hours I enjoyed catching up with some old mates for lunch in the Club Brasserie where I had a yummy steak sandwich and a very long drink of  mineral water. After a couple more hours of Flip-Palling I set out to find my motel. It is close to the venue, the sheets and pillows are clean but my room reeks of cigarette smoke (no wonder the windows I can't reach are wide open and letting in an Arctic breeze). Before I set out for the meet and greet I cranked up the aircon and left it running but this hasn't done a lot for the aroma in the room.

I carpooled to Tradies for the Meet and Greet with some of my motel neighbours from the ACT. The atmosphere at Tradies where we were greeted by ball and chain decorations and Botany Bay people in period dress was a great improvement on the motel room. Special mention must go the the sartorially splendid Conference Chair, Allan Murrin, in his powdered wig, white hose, gold-buckled shoes and knee length britches. As someone who loathes standup functions I appreciated having a chair to sit on during the meal and proceedings.

Congratulations to The Botany Bay Family History Society  for your friendly welcome, your superb organisation and an entertaining Meet and Greet function. I look forward to tomorrow's proceedings where I will endeavour to take a few photos.

This episodic post sounds a bit like a 6th grade essay on "My holidays" but I hope it will convey some information about the Conference to those who could not be with us today.

Getting ready for a Gig

As it is only three weeks until the 28th Annual Conference of the NSW & ACT Association of Family History Societies I am back at my computer polishing up my workshop presentation about blogging.  A little bird has told me that there are over 300 people already registered for this event. I hope that some of them see fit to come along to my workshop on the day of the Free Family History Expo, 14th September. You'll have to part with $5 to come on a journey with me through the world of geneabloggging.

Title slide for my workshop

If you have not registered for the conference you must do it by 25th August. Details can be found here. 

Free Genealogy Expo

In conjunction with the 28th Annual Conference of the NSW & ACT Association of Family History Societies to be held in September in Gymea there is to be a Genealogy Expo with free admission to the public. There will be a number of short free talks during the day plus there will be two talks (one by me) with an admission fee of just $5. 


I have heard of one genealogy society that is hiring the local Council bus to transport a load of genies to the Shire for the day. It will be a great day out.


Details can be found on the image below.

You'd better do it NOW

Earlybird registrations for  the 28th Annual Conference of the NSW & ACT Association of Family History Societies close today. The conference will be held in the Sydney suburb of Gymea. 

If you wish to take advantage of the discounted registration I suggest that you hop onto the conference site and get registered.

Don't Dilly Dally

Earlybird Registrations for the 28th Annual Conference of the NSW and ACT Association of Family History Societies close on July 15th. If you sign up before this date you will save $25 on the Registration fee.


This is an excellent opportunity for Sydneysiders to hear some top genealogy speakers (and yours truly) present on a range of genealogy related topics. The speakers for this event are:


Paul Brunton, Kerry Farmer, Patricia Fearnley, Heather Garnsey, Ian Heads, Caitlin Hickie, Trish Levido, Carol Liston, Brad Manera, Lisa Murray, Carole Riley and Jill Ball. I am particularly excited as I have not had the opportunity to hear about half of these speakers present before; I always enjoy learning about new things from new people. 


The Conference venue, Tradies, is just a short walk from the Gymea Station perfect for those who do not wish to drive. 


Will I see you at Tradies?