In the Force

Allan John Curry 1947

65 years ago today on 13 January 1947 my dad, Allan John Curry, joined the NSW Police Force  and was an officer until he was discharged as medically unfit due to his diabetes in the early sixties.

I recently found this photo of him taken in 1947 at "The Police Depot". From his uniform it looks as though he was dressed for motorcycle duties. I know that he was later a member of the mounted police and in suburban stations but was not aware that he also rode a police motorcycle. I need to apply for Dad's police record so that I can find out the various activities he was invloved in during his time in the force.

I should also shown more interest when he told stories about the various Sydney personalities he came in contact with like Bea Miles, Tilly Devine and Bumper Farrell. I am sure Dad took some great stories to his grave.

My Dad and his fellow officers in the NSW Mounted Police c.1954 

Networking at Rootstech

There are so many people that I hope to meet at Rootstech 2012.


I was prompted by Leslie Lawson's comment on Google+  post : "Maybe we'll have to plan a G+ rendezvous spot!" 


I have 400 people in my genealogy circle, most of whom I have never met, and would love to put a name to their faces. There are also people I follow on Twitter and Facebook, the bloggers whose posts I read via RSS and those who use the same software packages as I do. I'd love to chat with you.


If you hear an Aussie accent it will probably be me so please stop me and say G'day.


How do you manage the networking and social  opportunities afforded by big conferences?

Giving liberates the soul of the giver

I have found that among its other benefits,
giving liberates the soul of the giver.

-Maya Angelou

I saw this quote today on a blog post, The Most Important “Law” of Social Media,  from Eric Harr on Social Media Today. 

Finding this was serendipitous as today my profile was published on the Genealogists for Families Blog.

Members of Genealogists for Families through Kiva, a non-profit organisation working with microfinance institutions, make $25 loans that enable borrowers without access to traditional banks to expand their businesses, support their families, save for the future and raise themselves out of poverty. When the loan is repaid we can withdraw the money or lend it again. If we repeatedly lend the same $25, that small sum makes a big difference to many lives.

Reaching out and helping families in other lands helps others but also gives me a warm inner glow.  I have the power to make a difference to a strangers life, exercising that power is a rewarding experience.

How about joining me in the Genealogists for Families project?

Abundant Genealogy - Week 2 - Paid Online Genealogy Tools

Week 2 – Paid Genealogy Tools: Which paid genealogy tool do you appreciate the most? What special features put it at the top of your list? How can it help others with their genealogy research?


Horses for courses!


Having just read my mate Sharon Brennan's response to this question I could just copy and paste her response here because, on first thoughts the content in my post was going to echo hers. So I have thought for a few minutes and have decided on a different tack.


My paid subscriptions are: 
Ancestry.co.uk - I've had an annual subscription for years and cannot kick the habit as each time I think about letting it go they add new record sets that are pertinent to some part of my research.  It is the top level sub that gives me access to all Ancestry Records and has been useful for Australia, UK, Canada, New Zealand and the US.


FindMyPast.co.uk - I am also a longtime subscriber. As most of my ancestors came from the British Isles it is relevant to my research. I find it helpful that it duplicates some of the records on Ancestry and have found information on FMP transcriptions that Ancestry have missed.


I let my Genes Reunited sub lapse last year as I found that I was not making any new valuable connections through it. Around seven years ago when I joined up I made many useful connections but it has outlived its usefulness for me.


I regularly take out short-term subs to Scotland's People and The Sydney Morning Herald Archives when I have a good list of questions, some time on my hands and the ready cash.


My genealogy societies and local libraries give me access to other paid resources that I use on an as needs basis.


So Which paid genealogy tool do I appreciate the most?


It may be one of the resources listed above or it may be some other. The tool I appreciate the most is the one that gives me the answer I am presently seeking. 


Just like I wouldn't choose a sprinter for a two-mile race, a Shetland Pony to drag a heavy load, or a Shire horse for dressage I wouldn't choose the Sydney Morning Herald to find a Scottish birth Certificate or FindMyPast.co.uk to find my Canadian soldier.


The horse I appreciate the most is the one that will get the best job done for me.