Greetings from GeniAus

 

I took this photo when driving in country Australia with Mr GeniAus in January 2024. It reminds us that many of the Northern Hemisphere images we see in the Festive Season in Australia are not relevant to family life downunder.

Apologies to the people on King Island in Tasmania. After creating this image I checked the metadata for the photo and discovered it was actually taken in King Island not Narrabri. As a genie I should have checked 

'tis the season

 

From the Archives - 21st Century Christmas Greetings

First posted on this blog on 21 December 2011. Definitely worth sharing again.

The Digital Story of the Nativity

From the Archives - A Christmas Geneameme

 I posted this back in 2012. Some things have changed - my mother has passed away, the grandchild count has gone up and we have moved to a different location. I may need to revisit the meme. 

If YOU have time how about copying the questions and sharing your responses on your blog?

From the Archives - Genea-Santa

 Back in December 2009 I posted on this blog my letter to Genea-Santa. My requests would be similar today. What's on your list for Genea-Santa in 2020?

BTW I have removed the dead links from original post.

Christmas Greetings from Katherine

I posted this on my Facebook Page today but then decided that it is worthy of a blog post.

Delivered to Carey Bay

In my mailbox today. Thanks to genimate Katherine R. Willson for the beautiful homemade Christmas card that arrived downunder today. As a labour of love Katherine creates over 400 handmade cards which she mails to genies all around the world. I am thrilled to have received one of these artworks.

If you don't know Katherine, a professional genealogist from Michigan, she is one of the powerhouses behind The Virtual Genealogy Association, https://virtualgenealogy.org/, of which I am a proud member. Katherine also produces the free list of Genealogical and Historical Groups on Facebook, https://moonswings.files.wordpress.com/…/genealogy-on-faceb….

You can read more about Katherine on her website, https://socialmediagenealogy.com/.

Please excuse - it's Christmas

Mr GeniAus and I send greetings to all our friends as they celebrate the Christmas Season with their loved ones.

At this special time of year my priorities are with my living family so I may be quiet on social media for the next few days. The 21 reasons for my absence are in the photos taken below during Christmas 2016. I can't wait to share more memorable moments with them at our new home this year.

Blog Caroling - Downunder Style

Footnote Maven aka LindaRae Palmer was one of my first online genimates. Each year Footnote Maven challenges we genies to blog or post to Facebook our favorite Christmas Carol for her Blog Caroling activity. Read all about it here and please join in. 

I first participated in 2010 and, because the carols I nominated then remain my favourites I am editing and resharing that post for 2017.

Blog Caroling - Downunder Style

In Australia where Christmas falls in our hot and humid summer we sing traditional carols and Christmas songs about snow and mistletoe and open fires with gusto.

My favourite carols are those that are written with our Australian conditions in mind. I recently blogged about Six White Boomers - one of my favourite fun Christmas songs. Another favourite is Aussie Jingle Bells in a Rusty Holden Ute.

We also have some beautiful  Christmas carols. One of my favourites, because it conjures up memories of a solo sung by my angelic, blonde six year old son surrounded by classmates in his school's Christmas concert many years ago, is The Silver Stars are in the Sky. There a a few versions of this carol on Youtube, I am posting one by The David Jones Choir, the choir members are staff of Sydney's iconic department store, David Jones.

In case you feel like singing along here are the lyrics:

The Silver Stars are in the Sky
Words: John Wheeler.  Music William G James

The silver stars are in the sky,
The red-gold moon goes riding high,
O, sleep my little one sleep!
  Once long ago, against her breast,
A mother rocked her child to rest,
Who was the Prince of Heav'n above,
The Lord of happiness and love.
O, sleep, my little one sleep!
  The boobook calls across the night,
The brown moths flutter in the light,
O, sleep, my little one sleep!
  In Bethlehem long, long ago,
When roads and paddocks gleam'd with snow;
On this same night, that mother mild,
Lull'd into dreams her royal child.
So, sleep, my little one, sleep!

Another favourite that conjures up images of our red, dusty plains is "The North Wind is  Tossing the Leaves". This Youtube version is by Bucko and Champs who have posted a great collection of Australian Christmas Music on Youtube.

The North Wind
 Words: John Wheeler.  Music William G James

The north wind is tossing the leaves
the red dust is over the town
The sparrows are under the eaves
And the grass in the paddock is brown
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ child the heavenly king.
The tree ferns in green gullies sway
the cool stream flows silently by
the joy bells are greeting the day
And the chimes are adrift in the sky
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ child the heavenly king.

Trove Tuesday - Fifties Carols

I have recently been to several end of year celebrations featuring Christmas music these ranged from a traditional Anglican Festival of Lessons and Carols to an outdoor community singalong under the stars and a preschool Christmas concert. On my trips to the shops I have also been assaulted by Christmas music whenever I visit.

As a child I remember singing carols at school, hearing Christmas music on the radio and listening to Bing Crosby singing about a White Christmas on our record player but I cannot remember ever attending a function devoted to Christmas Music. Of course we sang a few carols at Midnight Mass. I turned to Trove to see what was going on when I was a youngster in the 1950s.

It was pleasing to find that carols were being sung in public all over the nation.

1950 - Emerald, Victoria

1950 'ST. LUKE'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND', Record (Emerald Hill, Vic. : 1881 - 1954), 16 December, p. 5. , viewed 12 Dec 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164501056

1951 - Tasmania

1951 'CHRISTMAS CAROLS', North-Eastern Advertiser (Scottsdale, Tas. : 1909 - 1954), 14 December, p. 7. , viewed 12 Dec 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149413982

1952 - Port Augusta, S.A.

1952 'Port Augusta Carols December 21', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 3 December, p. 5. , viewed 12 Dec 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47516398

1953 - Queensland

1953 'CAROLS BY MOONLIGHT', Pittsworth Sentinel (Qld. : 1919 - 1954), 3 November, p. 3. , viewed 12 Dec 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198512847

1954 - Maitland, NSW

1954 'Maitland 'Carols' On December 17', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 22 October, p. 10. , viewed 12 Dec 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134094984

I also discovered that Carols were being sung in the Domain in Sydney in 1950.

1950 'Carols By Candlelight', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 15 December, p. 7. , viewed 12 Dec 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18191555

Mele Kalikimaka

Seasons Greetings to all my friends in cyberspace. Best wishes to you as you celebrate the Festive Season.

A Christmas Tree

Last year my Canadian genimate, Lorine, created a Christmas Tree.  At this time of year it's a nifty way of visualising one's ancestors.

I've copied Lorine's idea and made a Christmas tree similar to hers. I don't know how Lorine created her tree but I did mine in an Excel spreadsheet. I was going to be really clever and have each layer of the tree represent one generation but that got too hard in the short time I had so my ancestors' surnames are in no particular order.

As I look at my Christmas tree I think of those who have gone before me.

GeniAus' Ancestors

How about joining me in creating a Christmas Tree?

Christmas Chronicle

As November draws to a close Mr GeniAus asked me what I am going to do about Christmas cards and the annual epistle this year. I thought that I'd prune down the Christmas card list and forget about accompanying letter.

Then my son who is a doctor called me. He is very serious about respecting the confidentiality of his patients but, if the patient says to say hello to your parents, then he tells us. And so the phone call went "Guess who I saw today?" and my response was "I don't know". The next clue was that it was a lady who loves getting our annual Christmas letter. Another clue and I said "Was it Barbara?".

This elderly friend of my late mother-in-law told my son how much she enjoyed getting our newsletter and keeping up with the news of my husband (whom she has known for 50+ years) and his family. Other recipients of our letters over the years have expressed similar sentiments.

So the answer is "Yes Barbara, there is a Santa Letter". I just have to write it

A search of my blog archives reveals that I have written on this subject several times. I am resharing two of those posts below.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2010

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories 2010 - December 4 - Christmas Cards

Enclosed with my Christmas cards for the last ten years or so has been a family Christmas letter in which I summarise the hatches, matches, dispatches, trials and triumphs of immediate family members. I have heard people scoff at these annual epistles by calling them "brag bulletins" and other derogatory names. To these people I say "Bah, Humbug".

When I look back at my collection of Christmas Letters I find that I have a neat summary of important family events for the last decade. If I continue the practice for another couple of decades I will have a rich resource to pass on to future generations who may not be simply interested in the dry Birth, Death and Marriage facts in my family tree but in our activities.

I must admit to not fully reading some of the Christmas letters I get as they are just too long. I love hearing of the doings of other families but prefer an "executive summary" rather than a novel. I edit, edit and edit again and make sure that my letter is no more than an A4 page in a font size that is readable.

As it's now 4th December I must away, reflect on the past year and write my Christmas Chronicle".

This post was written for the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

Christmas Newsletters - Trash or Treasure?

As we will be overseas before Christmas I am thinking of what I can do so that when I return, on December 23rd, I will be prepared for the Yuletide festivities. I write an annual Christmas letter (never more than one A4 page) so I can make a start on that. Elderly aunts and old neighbours tell me that they enjoy reading it each year

I just spotted this post in an online forum "Does anybody get those annoying Christmas letters EVERY YEAR EVERY DETAIL of the families history???...I dont even read them anymore I just trash them."


Trash them? As the writer unwittingly said they contain details of a family's history.They are precious resources for future generations Sure people brag about how clever their kids are but they also convey news of hatches, matches and dispatches and other family milestones. There is no way I would trash these epistles that give a potted (but often skewed towards the positive) history of a family's events during that year.


For those newsletters that come from  family I record the details of births, deaths and marriages that I glean from them into my genealogy database. I then file them in my family history files in the author's file. I have over ten years of newsletters from one cousin's family that when read sequentially tell a beautiful story, warts and all. She is not into genealogy but one day her descendants may be; there may be nowhere else that this story is recorded for these youngsters. I am pleased that I can curate this collection for the future.

Do you send out a Christmas letter? Do you enjoy reading them? Are they trash or treasure?

A Must-Do Diversion from Rootstech

As I sit at my computer editing and writing I am being entertained by a Christmas CD from The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and their friends The Muppets that came as a surprise in the mail this week.

https://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/shop/products/keep-christmas-with-you.html

Whenever I have attended Rootstech I make time to attend a rehearsal or episode of Music and the Spoken Word with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra in The Salt Lake Tabernacle at Temple Square. As well as making beautiful music there is an atmosphere of calm created in their performance space, a nice antidote to the craziness that is Rootstech.

One of the highlights of Rootstech 2013 was a special performance given  for attendees by the Choir. I was privileged on this evening to take part in a special "Behind the Scenes" tour of the Choir's practice areas and dressing rooms, it was one of the best tours I have ever undertaken (and I've done a bit of travel).

Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform at Rootstech 2013

If you are a first-timer at Rootstech or a veteran who hasn't yet seen the Choir perform you must take time out from your schedule to experience the music and environment.

A Fluffy Family Member

Six years ago I blogged about some very important four-legged family members here. Since Marty's grisly end and because we travel a lot I have been disinclined to get another pooch although I love having a dog around the house.

My poochlessness came to an end on Boxing Day when the family presented me with a fluffy little bundle of joy. While we were overseas the kids and Mr GeniAus colluded to find the perfect pup for me and they have delivered (with a promise of pet-sitting when we are adventuring).

Paddy, who has been living with family members for four weeks, has stolen their hearts and in the bargain has been exposed to lots of children. He is in for a quiet existence as he keeps this LOL (little old lady) company as she hunts for ancestors.

Already Paddy has proved to be a perfect Geneapet. When he first followed me into my study he found a niche on a bottom shelf between two piles of filing. Each time Paddy has entered he has settled in that same spot.

Getting settled

Doggie Dreams

And how did we choose the name Paddy?

I said to family that he should have an ancestor's name so as we sat around mulling over names my 13 year old grandson opened my family website on his smartphone and started putting forward suggestions which various other family members commented on and rejected. I was keen on Frank but that was howled down. We finally agreed on Patrick Curry,  my convict ancestor, who was known as Paddy.

The original Paddy Lived a long and fruitful life and related in an interview in The Sydney Morning Heraldin 1848 (1848 'Advertising.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 8 June, p. 3, viewed 30 December, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12902254) that he had a fortunate life and wanted for nothing. I hope I can give his little namesake a similar experience.

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

Christmas Wishes from an Old Girl

I previously posted this poem sent to me by an old mate "Carolyn" in 2010.  As I have several new readers I am posting it again as a Christmas Greeting to you all.

Merry Christmas To You.

If I were ol' Santa, you know what I'd do
I'd dump silly gifts that are given to you
And deliver some things just inside your front door
Things you have lost, but treasured before.

I'd give you back all your maidenly vigor,
And to go along with it, a neat tiny figure.
Then restore the old colour that once graced your hair
Before rinses and bleaches took residence there.

I'd bring back the shape with which you were gifted
So things now suspended need not be uplifted.
I'd draw in your tummy and smooth down your back
Till you'd be a dream in those tight fitting slacks.

I'd remove all your wrinkles and leave only one chin
So you wouldn't spend hours rubbing grease on your skin.
You'd never have flashes or queer dizzy spells,
And you wouldn't hear noises like ringing of bells.

No sore aching feet and no corns on your toes,
No searching for spectacles when they're right on your nose.
Not a shot would you take in your arm, hip or tummy,
From a doctor who thinks you're a nervous old granny.

You'd never have a headache, so no pills would you take.
And no heating pad needed since your muscles won't ache.
Yes, if I were Santa, you'd never look stupid,
You'd be a cute little chick with the romance of Cupid.

I'd give a lift to your heart when those wolves start to whistle,
And the joys of your heart would be light as a thistle.
But alas! I'm not Santa. I'm just simply me,
The matronliest of matrons you ever did see.

I wish I could tell you all the symptoms I've got,
But I'm due at my doctor's for an oestrogen shot.
Even though we've grown older, this wish is sincere,
Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year.

From the Archives - A Dog's Christmas

I am resharing this Christmas post from 2009.

Ralph and Buddy are no longer with us but we have three new granddogs:   Freddo, Millie and Myelo.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Taking a rest from Christmas preparations I am thinking of friends. Dogs, man's best friends, have been an important part of our family history.

We have had a few pooches over the years - they have been 'orphan' dogs - either surrendered to the local council or purchased from the pound. Robbie was a deceased next door neighbour's dog given to me by one of my students. Each of these hounds has had a unique personality and has enhanced our family life.

Our first dog Thomas didn't stay with the family long, he was a little too energetic for our tiny courtyard and so went to live with some very good friends who had a much larger yard. Willy, a Border Collie cross, was a gentle and obedient larrikin who was scared of storms. The only time he ventured onto the carpeted areas of our home was when a storm was brewing and he was seeking refuge under a chair or table. When we moved to an acreage Willy became adventurous and was able to find his way out of our property. He was the victim of a car travelling along the road outside our house.

Robbie, an Australian Silky Terrier, was my dog. He followed me everywhere and snarled at anyone who came too close to me. The kids had enormous fun dressing Robbie in doll's clothes and parading him around. Mr Geniaus did not appreciate Robbie's over-protectiveness.

Marty, another fluffy dog, a cross Maltese Terrier/Shitzu wasn't blessed with a similar intelligence to the other dogs but he was another loyal companion who follwed me around the house. When we rescued him from the pound he would cower in the corner under a chair and was very timid. After a few months he realised that ours was a safe environment and he realised that he was in charge. Sadly Marty met a cruel end at the paws and jaws of a neighbour's German Shepherd. Until we can guarantee its safety by electrifying our fences or securely fencing off an area close to our house I will not have another dog. I do miss the company of a little four-legged friend.

We have three grand-dogs who regularly visit. Ralph, a Border Collie cross, is now an old man who likes to spend his day resting. Like Willy he is gentle and intelligent. Little Neuro is a bundle of energy who, although he is over five, still races round with the energy of a new pup. Buddy, a handsome red and white Border Collie, arrived last Christmas. He has boundless energy and enjoys digging up the garden.

A Dog's Christmas Poem by Shel Silverstein

Tonight's my first night as a watchdog,
And here it is Christmas Eve.
The children are sleepin' all cozy upstairs,
While I'm guardin' the stockin's and tree.
What's THAT now . . . footsteps on the rooftop?
Could it be a cat or a mouse?
Who's THIS down the chimney?
A thief with a beard - And a big sack for robbin' the house?
I'm barkin'. . . I'm growlin' . . . I'm bitin' his butt.
He howls and jumps back in his sleigh.
I scared his strange horses, they leap in the air.
I've frightened the whole bunch away.
Now the house is all peaceful and quiet again,
The stockin's are safe as can be.
Won't the kiddies be glad when they wake up tomorrow . . .
And see how I've guarded the tree.

Trove Tuesday - Christmas Cake

The fruit is soaking and although I have covered the bowl I can smell the rum wafting from my kitchen. Tomorrow I will be baking the first of my Christmas cakes for this year.  I have a trusty recipe from a friend, I don't have my grandmother's because she didn't have one. She just put in a bit of this and a bit of that and her cakes always turned out.

For those who ar contemplating baking a cake there is plenty of advice to be found on Trove.

1902

1902 'CHRISTMAS CAKE.', The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), 13 December, p. 19, viewed 13 October, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21807371

1934

1934 'Christmas Cake.', The Burrowa News (NSW : 1874 - 1951), 14 December, p. 6, viewed 13 October, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102346810

1941

1941 'Mum's Christmas Cake.', The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate (NSW : 1892 - 1954), 27 November, p. 8, viewed 13 October, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131302705

1966

1966 'CHRISTMAS CAKES.', The Australian Women's Weekly(1933 - 1982), 30 November, p. 116 Section: The Sweet Foods of Christmas, viewed 13 October, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44025237

Christmas Greetings

Greetings to all my friends in GeneaLand 

for a 

Happy Festive Season

GeniAus and Santa 1953

Wishing you Good Health 

and 

Many GeneaDiscoveries in 2014