Moonee Valley Family & Local History Blog

The Keilor Historical Society will be having a tour of the Keilor Cemetery, Saturday 29th October 2011 at 1.00pm. Cost $10 per person.  Enquiries 9331 6052.

For many who grew up in the area, going to the market on a weekend was a much loved ritual as well as a weekly necessity.  Surprisingly, considering it was in operaton for so many years, there is little evidence in the public record that it ever existed.  I am an artist who was born and raised in Moonee Ponds and is creating a new project which will unearth and celebrate the memories, stories and images of this much-loved community place.  I am putting a call out to the community for your support: if you worked in or used the market at any point during its operation and have memories, stories, pictures or footage you would be willing to contribute to the project, please let me know! I will be collecting and scanning images, stories and hopefully recording interviews with people for the next 6 months.  If you are interested in submitting something, please email me at jessie@tapeprojects.org or call me on 0468 627 063.  All contributions will be credited in the ...

The Victorian Community History Awards were presented yesterday.  Steven Grimwade, Director of the Melbourne Writers Festival, addressed the gathering at Queen's Hall, Parliament House.  The overall winner was The People of Budj Bim by the Gunditjmara people with Gib Wettenhall. 

History week is from the 23rd to 30th October, to celebrate Victoria's past there will be lots of activities.  Discover Melbourne's fashionable Collins Street, St.Kilda's picture palaces, the unique Bear's Castle, hear about the people and storeis that make up the Royal Melbourne Hospital's 163 year history.  This week long event is coordinated by the Royal Historical Society of Victoria with plenty of support the the State's museums and cultural institutions.  Check out the events calendar for more details.

Annette Ferguson has published 'Greenvale - Links with the Past' this book is available from Heritage Productions, Suite 1, 9A Hall Street, Moonee Ponds 3039, cost per copy is $35.00.

Ancestry has updated their Irish collection with new births, deaths and marriage records. Ireland, Civil Registration Births Index, 1864-1958 Ireland, Civil Registration Deaths Index, 1864-1958 Ireland, Civil Registration Marriages Index, 1845-1958 Ireland, Births and Baptisms, 1620-1911 Ireland, Catholic Parish Baptisms, 1742-1881 Ancestry database is available at Moonee Valley Libraries.

The Royal Historical Society of Victoria will be running two workshops.   Dating Family Photos , presented by Lenore Frost - Author of Dating Family Photos. People are invited to bring two photos for individual dating, limit 2 per person (no albums). Originals are best. Your Family History in Postcards , presented by Jenny Coates.  If attending this workshop you will receive a voucher entitling you to purchase scans of postcards from the RHSV collection for only $10 each.  The voucher does not have to be redeemed on the day and is not transferable.    Saturday 26th November 12.45 for 1 pm to 4.30pm, 239 a'Beckett Street, Melbourne. $20 for RHSV members, $25 for non-members. Bookings essential by 23rd November, 2011. For more information visit the RHSV website.

A new exhibition at the Melbourne's Immigration Museum looks at child migration from Great Britain.  Inspired by the work of social worker Margaret Humphreys and her book Empty Cradles , that has been made into the film Oranges and Sunshine.   The programs of sending young children from troubled homes by the British government began in 1912 to 1970. David Hill former chairman, managing director of the ABC and a child migrant,  has written a book The Forgotten Children: Fairbridge Farm School and Its Betrayal of Australia's Child Migrants . The book and DVD Oranges and Sunshine  and the David Hill book are available from the Moonee Valley Library Service. Read more about the exhibition at the Museum in the article Innocence lost in lucky country . http://www.theage.com.au/national/melbourne-life/innocence-lost-in-lucky-country-20111011-1lixu.html

The GSV will be offering this course for the month of October on a Friday from 10.00 am - 1.00pm.  Topics will include Family history research basics, Maps and Gazetteers, Key Internet sites, Newspapers, Historical basis of English Records (an overview), Wills & Probate, Census Records and lots more, so if you are interested in learning more about English records this may be the course for you.  Cost GSV members $50.00, non-members $65.00.

This project has been recording 300 life stories from across the nation of everyday people between the 1920s and 1980s.  This oral history-history study aims to look at the different attitudes and traits of baby boomers, gen X and gen Y.  The stories will be stored forever in the National Library's digital archive and used in an ABC Radio National history series.  If you want to share your life story register at arts.monash.edu.au/australian-generations/get-involved/survey.   Read more about this project in the Age today.

To celebrate Seniors Week the GSV will be hosting some free events. October 4th 2.00-3.00 pm - Using Digger software for Australian Births, Deaths and Marriages. October 5th 10.30pm - 12 midday - Starting your Family History October 5th 12.00 - 4.00 pm - OPEN Afternoon Library October 6th 12.30 - 1.30 pm - An introduction to Dutch Family History October 6th 2.00 - 3.00 pm - Using archive Digital Books Australia October 7th 10.30 - 11.30 am - Introduction to Scottish Family History Bookings essential as limited places available. This is a great opportunity to get started on your family history.