Beginning Family History

 I'm busy prepping for this event in National Family History Month at Hornsby Library.

Ten years ago - I got a Guernsey for Congress

Reposted from ten years ago - as I plan for Connections2025 I remember my delight at being included on the program in 2015. 

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

I got a Guernsey!

When the call for papers for AFFHO Congress 2015 closed I was on a river cruise somewhere between Budapest and Bucharest and, although I had prepared some submissions I was distracted from submitting them on time.

I was disappointed that I forgot to put the proposals in but I decided that I would just rock up to Congress and feast on the banquet of opportunities available there. I was thrilled when, some time between my holidays last year, I was approached to be an Official Conference Blogger with Pauleen Cass and Shauna Hicks as it gave me an opportunity to be involved with the event.... because I like being involved. We have endeavoured to drum up some enthusiasm and interest in the event.

It took me about 5 seconds to respond to an invitation I received from Conference Convenor, Kerrie Gray, a couple of weeks ago. After saying YES I realised what a privilege it is to be moderating the very last session at Congress, A Panel : Family history research- why leave home to do it? I got quite a buzz when I saw that my name had been added to the Conference Program. Thank you to whomever put my name forward, I am both humbled and honoured.

I warned Kerrie that I am a bit rough around the edges. However, I know that with the cast of panelists: Josh Taylor from the US, Carole Riley from Australia and David Holman from the UK we will provide you with some lighthearted banter and serious food for thought at the end of four exciting and educative days.

Mr GeniAus who always brings me down to earth reminded  me that many people hit the road before the last session of a conference. It would be fantastic if you could hang around for what I hope will be a fitting finale to the event.

I'll be wearing my Guernsey with pride.

Packing the Essentials

I'm packing my conference bag for Connections2025 today as I will be leaving home soon and taking a circuitous route to Brisbane.

My Conference Bag - Please say G'day if you see me carrying it

As I was sorting through my Blogger Beads and other conference necessities on the kitchen table Mr GeniAus said "You're not taking all that stuff with you!"

My curt reply was, "Of, course I am."

Blogger Beads

Among the essentials in my GeniAus bag are Blogger Beads (I have a couple of spares), Business Cards (even though I don't have a business - they are contact cards) and Conference Ribbons (leftovers from earlier events. 

Conference ribbons from earlier events.

I don't expect to see a lot of ribbons at this event but I'm still bringing a few along. The ribbons and beads add a fun element to the serious learning we'll experience at the event.

Hatstands at Connections2025

Hatstands Passau, Germany November 2024

Seven years ago today, as I was preparing for Rootstech, I compared myself to a hatstand with many hats on board. I had several roles in addition to being an Ambassador from Australia.

I won't be wearing as many hats at Connections2025 but will still be busy. 

Please take a look at that post from 16 February 2018, https://geniaus.blogspot.com/2018/02/your-hatstand-at-rootstech.html. 

Which hats will you be wearing in Brisbane?

Prepping for Connections2025

I'm repurposing a post from 2019 as I prepare for my journey to Brisbane for Connections2025.

The GeniAus bag

If you are looking for me at the event just seek out the little old lady with the distinctive bag. Please stop me and say G'day.

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

• Airport transfer - I'll book an Uber to take me to the hotel when I arrive  in Brisbane
• Books - A couple of unread books that I will ditch once read. Will also download a few eBooks from the local library onto my phone.
• Purchase and pack breakfast bars, liquid breakfasts and healthy snacks for breakfasts in room.
• Pack Clothes - always a challenge
• Deliver Paddy to his second home where he loves playing with his mate Freddo.
• Flights - Booked, Seats are allocated so no need to book in online.
• Hotel Accommodation - All booked.
• Luggage - 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 large bags on board - they must pack the kitchen sink. 
• Maps - will rely on Google maps on my phone.
• Mobile Phone and Internet - My Telstra package will cover that. Battery pack not longer needed as I can usually find a power point or USB connection
• A Notebook - I lose loose bits of paper.
• No need to buy a Go Card for travel on public transport. I can use a credit card to tap and go. 
• 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 

• Pills and potions - All sorted, have packed an emergency 'just in case' kit of favourites. A few days supply in handbag in case I part company with our bags.
• Clean off some SD cards - will use camera as a backup in case phone battery dies.

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,. 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, Credit cards, Driver's Licence. Save onto phone, hard drive, Google Drive and computer. 
• Travel insurance - covered by annual policy
• Walking stick - needed for uneven paths.
• Water bottle - Can fill once I have passed through security at airport.

My Travel Tech setup 

Specifically for Event

• Find out names of Genimates who are travelling to Brisbane - encourage them to use Bluesky for communication
• Blogger Beads - which ones will I wear?
• Follow fellow event attendees on Bluesky
• Have light day bag for conference - My Geniaus bag is unique so won't be confused for others
• GeniAus Business Cards 
• GeniAus Ribbons - have a few leftovers to take
• A Notebook - I find writing notes helps me to reinforce my learning
• A Schedule - 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. Will my dual headed microphone for interviewing work with my new phone?
• Reminders - will use my Google calendar for that too.
• Set dates and times for Group photos - Bloggers, NSW genies etc. 

Have I forgotten anything?

Don't dilly-dally

 Hope to see YOU in Brisbane

25 Stackpole Street Wishart, QLD 4122 PO Box 1467, Carindale Qld 4152 www.connections2025.org.au convenor@connections2025.org.au Brisbane | 21 – 24 March 2025

EARLY BIRD – ends 30 November 2024 If you are still to register for Connections Past-Present-Future consider the following: The daily registration fee for the conference is $260, if you register for the Friday only it does not include the Meet and Greet, which would be an additional $33. If you register for two days of the conference only, the registration fee is $520. If you register for all three days of the conference it is $515, and this includes the Meet and Greet and with Early Bird registration the  price is $395. The Conference Dinner, which is on Saturday night, is an additional $66 at Early Bird pricing. Masterclasses on the Saturday and Sunday are filling fast and are $75 per class. Lunches are of your choosing, but you do need to be aware of the venue’s trading restrictions. Early Bird pricing on lunches provided by the venue is $25. See below. Parking  is $10 on Friday and is free on Saturday & Sunday. See Conference Parking Tours on the Monday are Optional.

A Late Night Night or an Early Morning

In a recent post I shared my excitement about being chosen as a subject for a Wikitree Challenge. 

As the event, The 2024 WikiTree Challenge 11,  will be launched on zoom at 2am tomorrow (my time in Australia). My immediate issue is do I go to bed early and set an alarm for 1:30ish or do I try and stay awake? I'll see how my day pans out. 

Promo for the WikiTree Challenge

I'm now sitting in my geneacave dealing with a range of emotions:

* Gratitude for the invitation to have my family chosen as the focus of this project

* Delight to have a light shone on my band of ordinary ancestors and forebears that includes labourers, convicts, indigenous Australians, Irish immigrants, sportsmen and a pioneering priest.

* Appreciation for the Wikitreers who have signed up to work on my tree

* Apprehension as my sometimes dodgy research will be on show to a band of experienced genealogists

* Embarrassment that my Wikitree is not too deep or wide

* Pride that Australian Genealogy research is the focus of the eventt

* Excitement that the volunteers may learn a little about Australian History as they climb my tree

* Joy that my tree is receiving the love it deserves

* Suspense as I ponder on what the volunteers may dig up

Roll on 2am.

Save the Date : Connections2025

G'day Genimates, 

I am sharing this Save the Date notice on behalf of our friends at The Genealogical Society of Queensland – GSQ. We encourage you all to follow the Connections 2025 Facebook page  for event updates and to show your support to help make this a wonderful, engaging event for history aficionados all over Australia and New Zealand.

SAVE THE DATE: March 21-24, 2025.

The Australasian Conference - Connections 2025 - will be held in Brisbane over four days in March 2025. Hosted by the Genealogical Society of Queensland, the conference combines the 17th Australian Conference on Genealogy and Heraldry (also known as Congress) and the 5th History Queensland State Conference.                            

Connections 2025 is a must do event for family and local historians. Visit the Conference website for more details and watch this blog for regular updates. 

Some of the 650 Delegates enjoying High Tea at the 2018 Congress in Sydney

I am honoured and thrilled to be the NSW Ambassador for this event. I have attended and enjoyed the the last four Congresses and have found them to be enriching, entertaining educational events. The bonus is that I met up with old friends in person and had opportunities to forge relationships with new-to-me genimates. 

I am hoping to see a strong cohort from New Wales and to meet many genies from beyond our State in Brisbane. The event will have an international flavour, I already know of genies attending from The Netherlands, The United Kingdom and The United States.

With your help we can make this an affair to remember. 

Cheers, Jill aka GeniAus

The Big News

This morning I posted on social media news of  the 17th Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry (otherwise known to genies as Congress)  & 5th Queensland History State Conference.

As the NSW Ambassador I am thrilled to let you know that the comprehensive website for the combined event, Connections2025, has now gone live. The website gives details of the dates, site, accommodation and keynote speakers plus a program outline. Information for prospective speakers is also available.

Connections2025 Website

I have been fortunate enough to attend Congress in Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney and Norfolk Island. Congress is the premier live event on the Australasian calendar. Once again we will have an opportunity to see and hear speakers from home and abroad, catch up and meet new genimates and talk to sponsors and vendors. 

Back in 2018 there was a bumper crowd at the last Congress before Covid. As Covid was still around and travel difficult in 2022 numbers were down in Norfolk Island. 

Brisbane in 2025 with its international and domestic airports and other good transport options offers us an opportunity to have the best event ever. Mr GeniAus and I are already planning a road trip/geneajourney that will haveConnections2025 as its highlight. 

Please consider joining us at Connections2025. 

Big News

 

Back in the Saddle

I'm settling in at home after a seven week journey around Northern Europe and the UK. While the trip was mostly for pleasure I managed some research while visiting a cousin in Wiltshire and during our time in London.

Prior to setting off on our next holiday I have a few gigs on the agenda.

On Friday 1st September I am hosting the SAG's Weekly Hangout with the topic being Patres Nostri: paternal tales. I love these events that give members an opportunity to share and hear each others stories. Through my participation I get to chat with and learn from so many SAG members from around Australia and New Zealand.

Saturday 2nd September takes me to the newest library in our neighbourhood at Sugar Valley to present an introductory session on DNA.

On Friday 8th September I will be presenting a session Genealogy for All at the Free Family History Fair that precedes our State Conference which is being hosted by the Wyong Family History Group. 

I'm hoping to catch up with some genimates and meet new family history fanatics at these events

Chatting with the Genies at Cessnock

Yesterday I had a lovely drive of just over 30 minutes along some beautiful country roads to my face-face to face gig with the Family History Group that operates out of Cessnock Library. I didn't get lost, found a parking spot very close to the library and managed to buy some great non-fiction from the book sale in the library before I found my hosts.

On arrival I was warmly greeted by Sandy and group members. I also got to meet the Local Studies librarian, Kimberly O'Sullivan, whose passion for her work comes through in the posts she shares on the library's Facebook page. There is no doubt that the strength of the Local History collection is a result of Kimberly's energy and enthusiasm. 

I was envious when I saw the support the Group gets from Cessnock Library. Their home is in  one of the meeting rooms in a library that is well equipped with technology. The great news is that the group's resources have a home in filing cabinets and a compactus in that room. The Group has a regular weekly meeting there and can book it at other times. 

How I wish our group at Lake Macquarie had similar support from our local Council. That Council doesn't seem to recognise the value of giving a home to a family history group. A set up such as that enjoyed by our neighbours in Cessnock would be perfect.

Resources

Group's Filing Cabinets

Technology in the Meeting Room

Group's Compactus 

Some of the happy Cessnock genies

After meeting the Group members and looking at their facilities we moved to another room that was equipped with a Smartboard on which my powerpoint could be displayed. The technology worked and the library's IT support person was on hand if any difficulties arose.

My presentation

After chatting with the genies for two hours I was a little tired and thirsty but also invigorated by being able to speak in a face to face situation again.

When we returned to the meeting room there was a lovely lunch set up for those present and I was presented with a lovely bag of local delicacies. Thanks Cessnock genies for your warm welcome and amazing hosting. 

I may have had more than my share of egg and lettuce sambos. 

The Best of Rootstech 2022

As a Rootstech Influencer I found the request to share my best five presentations from the 2022 event a trifle challenging. All who attended Rootstech 2022 came with individual needs and interests so my list contains things that educated, entertained and enthused me, it will differ from the lists made by the million or so other genealogy enthusiasts who attended Rootstech. I believe that anyone with an interest in family history will find much content to satisfy their needs at the Rootstech site.

For me the Rootstech event was not a crazy carnival of genealogy but it heralded an update to a fabulous free learning library of genealogy resources from Familysearch. Prior to the event I wrote "I am not going to stress about filling my days with watching zoom sessions, mine will be a relaxed approach over many days, weeks and months. This is necessary to experience the Joynealogy of Rootstech."

I believe that "Just in time learning" is a most effective means of learning anything so, whenever I have a need for knowledge in the future, I will use the search facility on the Rootstech site to find appropriate presentations. These sessions may or may not have been in my original playlist.

I probably managed to watch about 40-50 sessions over the three days of the live event. Shortly after the event I suggested some of these as must watch sessions in a newsletter I write for my local family history group. My bias was towards sessions about DNA, Australian topics and England/Ireland/Scotland the lands of my ancestors. Here is what I suggested that genies in Lake Macquarie Family History Group should watch. 

Nick Barratt: When Harry Met Dotty - using DNA to break down brick walls
Else Churchill: From Rolled Pedigrees to Digital Data 
Myko Clelland: Series (3 talks) Birth, Marriage and Death in Scotland – going beyond the basics 
Jackie Depelle: Ideas for Researching Non-Conformist Ancestors

Roberta Estes: Associating Autosomal DNA Segments With Ancestors
Caroline Gurney: Series (3 talks) Tracing the English Ancestors – beyond the basics
Rob Hamilton: Series (3 talks) A Freemason and his records

Michelle Leonard: Top tips for identifying DNA matches
Diana Nicolson: Who was Kastian Richardson?
Cathie Sherwood: The Poor in Ireland: Workhouses and Poor Law

Oops, seems I can't count, it was hard enough pruning the list down to ten let alone five!

Modesty precluded me from adding this live session hosted by Lynn Broderick and me 
https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/dealing-with-ethical-dilemmas-in-an-online-world-a-discussion

Learning not Doing

Earlier this year I came to the realisation that my focus should change from Learning about family history to actually Doing family history research. In a post, Genialogy, I outlined a few steps I had taken to realign my focus but I didn't discuss my own learning.

As I am in my eighth decade here on earth and I'm not sure if I will see my ninth or tenth I value every minute that presents itself. In his poem "Stopping by woods on a snowy evening" Robert Frost penned these words:

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

The promises I must keep are to my ancestors, I should be devoting my time to exploring the woods of the past to document their histories and tell their stories. I have many miles ahead on my path.

My Great-great grandparents Richard Aspinall and Mary Homer

 with Great Grandmother Mary Jane Aspinall

Being at home for nearly two years during the pandemic gifted me with an opportunity to indulge my interest in family history but, Alas, I fear I got the balance wrong and squandered that opportunity.

I always learn something from the many (mostly online) events I attend but oftentimes these are just little things that are "nice to know" not things that I "need to know".  Some of the events I have attended are educative and entertaining and some have been dull and boring. How does one quantify the value of hours of zooming? Were the lectures and presentations worth the time I devoted to them?

If I had applied myself to practical research and the incidental learning that comes from that activity my learning may have been more appropriate to my needs. I remember from my days as an educator that the most effective learning is that which is timely or at the point of need. I can only recall one such instance during the past two years that fits that criteria for me, it was the engaging and challenging Chromosome Analysis course presented for the SAG by Veronica Williams. 

As I reflect on my needs I realise that when I have a need for information or guidance I usually find it myself, either, on the internet in a recorded webinar, blog post or Youtube video, in a journal or a book or by asking someone who knows more than I. As a result, in recent months I have cut down on attending events that present topics that are "nice to know" and directed my focus to learning about things I "need to know" to progress my research.

How have you allocated the genealogy time that you were gifted by the Covid situation?

Three Aussie Genies on The Program

Together with my Genimates Shauna Hicks and Sharn White I will be taking to the stage at THE Genealogy Show - Winter Event next weekend. 

We are thrilled to be bringing an Australian perspective to this international event once again after the success of the last event held earlier this year in June.

We hope to see many of our Aussie friends at THE Show which also features a cast of speakers from the UK, Europe and The Americas. The event will open in the early hours on Friday 3rd December in the UK which I guestimate to be 11am Sydney time and runs continuously for 48 hours. You will then be able to access the recordings for a month after the event.

Earlybird registrations at £15 (less then $30AUD) close on the 30th November; closer to the show the cost is still reasonable at  £20. Similar events in Australia cost much more than this. Buy your tickets here: https://www.thegenealogyshowlive.com/plans/show-tickets/

Surprize, Surprise

 Last month I attended a free webinar, Floating Prisons: Irish Convict Hulks and Voyages to NSW,  hosted by the RAHS. 

During the webinar Anne McMahon, the author of the book Floating Prisons: Irish Convict Hulks and Voyages to New South Wales 1823-1837, discussed the history of the Irish hulks and gave details on the lives and conditions of the convicts incarcerated on them. I learnt that one of the hulks, the Surprize, was in Cork Harbour around the time my 3xGreat-Grandfather, Patrick Curry/Corry, was transported from there. Did Patrick spend time on the Surptize?

I realised that I needed to purchase the book which was published in 2017, I'm surprised that I didn't learn about it when it was published. I was hoping to purchase an eBook copy of the work but, when I asked during the webinar, if the book was available in that format the author was quite surprised, said she didn't know about those things and it would not appear in an electronic format!!

The book was available from several online sites but I opted to buy it from Amazon because it was 9.95 cheaper there than the recommended retail on other sites. 

I received a surprise when the parcel containing the book arrived. I had expected a paperback but the book is a heavy hardcover. It has all the features of a well documented work - bibliography, contents, indexes and references and contains a few illustrations and maps.I have yet to read the book, I don't think it will identify many individual convicts but I hope it provides a valuable insight into the lives of Irish Convicts in the early 19th century. Dr Perry McIntyre wrote an honest  review of the work in 2017 for Tintean Magazine, https://tintean.org.au/2017/08/06/floating-prisons/.

Playing around on Google I found this article, https://gsq-blog.gsq.org.au/irish-prison-hulks/, by Meg Carney who, after reading McMahon's book, thinks that her ancestor spent time in Cork on the Surprize. I wonder if I will come to the same conclusion for Patrick after reading the book. 

See you at THE Genealogy Show

 It's only five days until I take to the stage at THE Genealogy Show. I am thrilled to be in the company of so many renowned speakers on THE Show program.

My first presentation, Genealogy Research with Facebook,  is scheduled for 2:00am on the 25th June in the UK but will air at the convenient time of 11am for my genimates on Australian Eastern Standard time. 

London, United Kingdom*

BST (UTC +1) 

Fri, 25 Jun 2021

2:00 am

Sydney, Australia

AEST (UTC +10) 

Fri, 25 Jun 2021

11:00 am

 

My second gig, Managing Frugally: An Alphabet Of Tips & Tools For Family Historians, is scheduled for 10pm on the 26th June in the UK and will air at 7am on Sunday the 27th August for those on Australian Eastern Standard time. 

London, United Kingdom*

BST (UTC +1) 

Sat, 26 Jun 2021

10:00 pm

Sydney, Australia

AEST (UTC +10) 

Sun, 27 Jun 2021

7:00 am

 

Don't worry if these times aren't convenient for you as the recordings will be available on demand for the 30 days of THE Show. 

If you haven't already done so grab your tickets here:  https://www.thegenealogyshowlive.com/register/the-genealogy-show/

Real People at Last

 While I have enjoyed communicating and collaborating via Zoom and other online tools during Covid times I have missed interacting with real people in a face-to -face situation.

I finally had a chance to present two face-to -face workshops about the Trove newspaper collection to the members of The Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest Family History Research Group yesterday. The members of this Group are to be congratulated for their fundraising efforts in the local community which resulted in their local newspaper, NOTA, being digitised and added to Trove.  They thought it timely to host some Trove workshops and I was the lucky person who scored this gig.

I had a super day with the participants whose Trove experience ranged from experienced user to a gentleman who said "I only heard about it this week". It is so much easier to engage with people when one is together with them in person. We had two lively sessions (separated by a yummy lunch) with lots of laughter, learning and sharing of tips. I tried a different approach with my talk and, after just a few introductory slides, demonstrated application of my Trove Tips live on the Trove site. This provided a more effective learning experience as I was able to integrate participants' interests into the workshop.

While I enjoyed my time with the members it was a surprise that I received that put the icing on the cake of my day.  

I was seated beside a delightful gentleman who was recounting the story of his Christening; his name didn't ring a bell with me but when he mentioned  his wife's name, Shirley, I looked at him and said "she's my cousin". He responded with a bemused look until I said we share Elizabeth Phipps as an ancestor. We were both flabbergasted that serendipity had thrown us together in Tea Gardens. I had Shirley in my tree but I was unaware of her current whereabouts. I exchanged details with the gentleman and look forward to sharing ancestor stories soon. 

Sadly I forgot to grab a photo with the gentleman before he left but one of the Group members sent me a copy of one that I have cropped, it's a bit fuzzy but captures the moment of our surprise.

ASerendipitous Meeting for GeniAus