Moonee Valley Family & Local History Blog

Author Talk @ Sam Merrifield Library

2012-02-21T15:54:00.000+11:00

Lisa Lang's historical novel Utopian Man captures the complexities and vibrancy of this larger than life visionary.

Edward William Cole was a legendary figure during turn of the century Melbourne. His Coles Book Arcade was a huge book store where you could browse and read while being entertained by brass bands, a giant squid and monkeys.

Utopian Man was the joint winner of the 2009 Vogel Literary Award and has been shortlisted for numerous other book prizes.

Sam Merrifield Library

Monday 19th March, at 7pm

FREE but bookings necessary. Call 8325 1950

Victorian Historical Journal November, 2011

2012-02-14T11:38:00.000+11:00

The Victorian Historical Journal is now available in the Local History Collection at the Sam Merrifield Library. Contents include the following:-

'My Native Place' Alfred Deakin in Fitzroy. by Carole Woods. The article is an edited vertion of a paper presented to the Fitzroy History Society on 26th August, 2010, in the former Fitzroy Public Library, to commemorate an address given by Alfred Deakin 100 years earlier on his boyhood.

Who Designed Melbourne's Sewerage System? by Robert La Nauze. In 1889, William Thwaites submitted to the Royal Commission on Sanitation a design for sewering Melbourne. The Victorian Government engaged James Mansergh, an English expert, and during his brief visit to Melbourne he recommended a scheme with two outfalls in preference to Thwaite's single outfall design.

Isabella Lucy Bird's Visiti to Victoria in 1872. The Forgotten Tourist. by Ian Clark. Isabella Lucy Bird, the English travel writer visited Victoria and spent eight weeks touring around Melbourne and western Victoria. In 1877, she published a nine-part account of her visit, The Leisure Hour.

The Trail to Wonnangatta by Trevor W. Davey.

From Abbey to Athenaeum. John Henry Benedict Curtis, 1829-1909. by Margaret Bowman.

From Foot-is-cry to Firenze. Remembering Bill Kent 1942-2010. by John Lack. This memoir of Emertius Professor Bill Kent, internationally renowned scholar of Renaissance Italy who died at his Elsternwick home on 30th August, 2010.

Unpublished and Ephemeral Material

2012-02-13T14:52:00.001+11:00

The Local History Room at Sam Merrifield Library has a vertial file collection of local history material. Some of this is unpublished and in some ways a treasure trove of information about the local areas of Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Ascot Vale and Flemington. Areas covered include the history of the highrise estate at Flemington, Tullamarine and Essendon Airports, notes on histories of local areas, development of Lynch's Bridge, local churches and lots more. To access the vertical file please contact the Local History staff at Sam Merrifield Library on 8325 1950.

Fred Kruger: Intimate Landscapes

2012-01-27T10:34:00.000+11:00

Fred Kruger's (1831-88) photographs present a study of mid-nineteenth-century Victoria. His most notable commission was to record life at the Aboriginal settlement of Coranderrk Station at the bequest of the Board for the Protection of Aborigines (BPA). His sense of time and place have a creative expression that makes Kruger's work notable in the history of Australian photography. Exhibition is at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square.

New South Wales Births, Deaths and Marriages

2012-01-20T10:13:00.000+11:00

With the start of a new year more NSW indexes are available online;

Births and Deaths:
http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/Index/IndexingOrder.cgi/search?event=births

Marriages:
http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/Index/IndexingOrder.cgi/search?event=marriages

A reminder that not everything is on-line the GSV has NSW births to 1918 that may be viewed at their Library on microfiche or CD, that is seven years more than on-line.

Enjoy

Picture This City: History and Photography in Moonee Valley

2012-01-17T10:26:00.000+11:00

This exhibition looks at the history of Moonee Valley through images taken by local photographers over the past 150 years. Elizabeth Gertsakis has curated the exhibition using the history of the local community and their influence on the history, cultural and sporting groups of Moonee Valley.

Exhibition from the 8th December - 26th February, 2012.
Tuesday - Sunday 11am-4pm
Incinerator Gallery

Annals of Essendon on CD Rom

2012-01-17T10:14:00.000+11:00

The four volumes of the Annals of Essendon are now available on the Local History PC in the Sam Merrifield Local History Room. The dates are from the 1850s to 2000. After 2000 all local newspapers are available through the on-line database Newsbank.

10 ways to look at the past

2012-01-16T13:46:00.001+11:00

The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia features works by ten contemporary artists that have a fascination with the passing of time. Some draw on personal histories, while others explore the past through collective or cultural memories. Works range from large scale installations, sculptures and video art, to photographs, prints and watercolours.

Film Screening; Oranges and Sunshine

2012-01-16T11:26:00.003+11:00

Another event at the Immigration Museum. On Sunday 12th February, 2012 join guest Harold Haig, Secretary of the Association of Fomer Child Migrants and their Families. Harold will introduce the film and discuss the work of Margaret Humphreys and the Child Migrants Trust.

Cost: Adults $15.50, Concession $5.50. Sunday 1pm - 4pm
Includes a glass of wine and entry to the On Their Own: Britain's Child Migrants exhibiton and the Immigration Museum.
Booking essential: ph 13 11 02

Another Country - Summer School Holiday Program

2012-01-16T10:56:00.000+11:00

Come to the Immigration Museum to join artists Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan and explore evocative displays that delve into family stories of travel and migration. Construct your own miniature free-form aeroplane and contribute to a soaring installation.

12 Things You Can Count on from Ancestry in 2012

2012-01-06T11:30:00.003+11:00

Ancestry has compiled a list of goals for 2012 from Irish birth, marriage and death details to 1911 UK census images and records from the U.S. Civil War.

The following is a list of what to expect -

1. Announcing the 1940 U.S. Federal Census—the 72-year wait is over

2. A fully-indexed 1911 UK Census, plus more U.S. state censuses

3. Additional U.S. birth, marriage and death records

4. New U.S. and international church records

5. Millions of new occupation-related records

6. Clearer images plus new census technology showing more details

7. Direct access to more Ancestry Hints that can lead you to new records

8. Free family tree apps for Apple, Android, Kindle Fire and NOOK

9. New ways to connect and grow your tree with help from social networking sites

10. New answers in your DNA

11. Ancestry Hints from new historical record collections

12. Tips and instruction directly from the pros at Ancestry.com

Learn more about the list at Ancestry

Start your Family Tree Week

2011-12-23T10:23:00.002+11:00

The end of an old year and start of a new year is sometimes the perfect time to delve into your family history. The findmypast database will offer from Boxing Day until New Year's Day activities, guides and charts on how best to research your family tree. Findmypast database is only available for use at the Moonee Valley Library Service. The libraries will be open from the 28th December to 31st December, 2011, so why not book into use this fantastic database.

Flemington Association Website

2011-12-19T14:45:00.001+11:00

The Flemington Association website is now up and running. Jump onto the website and learn more about Flemington's 200 year history through their timeline and stories, Flemington personalities past and present, discover the heritage walks and get involved in the community of Flemington.

New Local History Book

2011-12-16T15:38:00.000+11:00

'Daisy Chain': memories of a young marriage"by Marie Henkel is the second volume of her life story. Daisy Chain focuses on her time raising six children under five, being one of the first women to continue to be employed as a teacher in Victoria after her marriage. This book provides a glimpse into the lives of women in the 1950/60's in Australia. Marie's first book Wind Flowers: a series of short stories reflecting on her youth are both available at the Moonee Valley Library Service.

51 Links for Australian Military History and Research

2011-12-16T15:06:00.000+11:00

The following link is a fascinating and helpful link to websites that will assist in researching Australian Military History. Included are sites you'll find on Facebook and well as more traditional sites such as National Archives of Australia and War Memorials in Australia.

51 Links for Australian Military History and Research

New book on the Irish in Australia

2011-12-05T16:29:00.000+11:00

'Not just Ned: a true history of the Irish in Australia' by Richard Reid. This book tells the history of the Irish in Australia and their influence through a collection of rate and precious objects, documents, paintings, drawings and photographs. This book is the catalogue for the exhibition held at the National Museum Australia in 2011.

History News

2011-11-29T10:19:00.000+11:00

The Royal Historical Society Victoria's History News is now available at the Sam Merrifield Local History Room or may be viewed on their website. Their website has recently been updated, it is easier to navigate, they will be constantly updating the content and improving access to information on events.

'Who's Been Sleeping in My House?"

2011-11-25T14:43:00.000+11:00

A new eight-part series hosted by archaeologist Adam Ford looks at the history of houses in Australia. The series is about what lies behind the bricks and mortar of homes. Equal parts detective show, social history and archaeology, the series uses archives, databases, family albums and experts to uncover what may not always be in history books.

The first episode is about a derelict house in Ballarat, starting on Monday 28th November, 8pm, ABC 1.

Essendon Historical Society November Meeting

2011-11-22T12:30:00.000+11:00

The topic for tonight's meeting is 'Glimpses of Early Essendon 1911-1926'. Marilyn Kenny will present a commentary on several local film clips from the National Film and Sound Archive. Free, all welcome.

Date 22nd November, 2011 from 7.30pm until 9.30pm.
Location - The Old Courthouse, 768 Mt. Alexander Road, Moonee Pond 3039
Contact - Secretary 9370 4607
Email - EssHisSoc@mail.com

More Digitised Newspapers on Trove

2011-11-07T14:50:00.000+11:00

The National Library of Australia is pleased to announce that the following newspaper titles have been added to Digitised newspapers and more on Trove:

Victoria

Oakleigh Leader (North Brighton, Vic. : 1888 - 1902)

Oakleigh Leader and District Record (Brighton, Vic. : 1887 - 1888)

Sunbury News and Bulla and Melton Advertiser (Vic. : 1892 - 1900)

The Benalla Ensign and Farmer's and Squatter's Journal (Vic. : 1869 - 1872)

The Coburg Leader (Vic. : 1890 - 1913)

The Elsternwick Leader (Brighton, Vic. : 1888)

The Elsternwick Leader and Caulfield and Balaclava Guardian (Brighton, Vic. : 1887)

The Elsternwick Leader and District Record (Brighton, Vic. : 1887 - 1888)

Elsternwick Leader and East Brighton, South Brighton, Cheltenham, Mentone, Mordialloc, Oakleigh, Sandringham, Balaclava & Caulfield Record (Vic. : 1887)

The Kerang Times (Vic. : 1889 - 1890)

The Kyabram Union and Rodney Shire Advocate (Vic. : 1894)

Healesville Guardian and Yarra Glen Advocate (Vic. : 1898)

These titles have been funded by the State Library of Victoria
Tasmania

The Observer (Hobart, Tas : 1845-1846)

New South Wales

The Leader (Liverpool, NSW : 1946-1949)

This title has been funded by the Liverpool City Library

Essendon Historical Journal Spring/Summer 2011 Issue No.4

2011-11-07T14:36:00.001+11:00

The contents of the lastest journal include the following -

Thomas Lidbetter - A Sea Faring Man by Tom Maguire
The Set of The Sails (Tle Life of Alan Villiers) by Betty Knight
James Watson - Squatter of Flemington by Bob Chalmers
Recollections of Mrs. Mary Ovens (extracts from the Essendon Gazette of 8/6/1911
Memories of Robert Ovens (extract from McJunkin's History of Essendon)
Recollections of my Childhood Days in Essendon by Mrs. Jessie William (nee Bottoms)
Edward Byam Wight of Kensington - Father of the Borough by Bob Chalmbers
Smugglers Cave and the Wine Hall by Peter Willoughby

The journal is available for use in the Sam Merrifield Library, Local History Room.

Ancestry Monthly Newsletter - Searching for birth details

2011-11-07T10:50:00.000+11:00

Learn more about searching for birth records on Ancestry with their guide GOOD TO KNOW: SEARCHING FOR BIRTH DETAILS. The Ancestry database is available at all Moonee Valley Libraries.

'Tour de Keilor'

2011-11-04T11:55:00.000+11:00

Share in the history and stories of Keilor Village on these historical walking tours. The walking tours depart from Keilor Municipal Office at 11am, 11.15am & 11.30am, this Sunday 6th November. The 'Tour de Keilor' is organised by Keilor District Leadership Group with support from the Keilor Historical Society.

Heritage Walk - Keilor Cemetery

2011-10-28T16:25:00.000+11:00

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.

Do your remember the Moonee Ponds Market?

2011-10-28T09:44:00.007+11:00

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 final artwork.

Jessie Scott
Tape Projects
http://www.tapeprojects.org/
http://www.checkyourtension.wordpress.com/
www.vimeo.com/jessiescott

Victorian Community History Awards 2011

2011-10-21T16:18:00.000+11:00

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 2011

2011-10-21T16:13:00.005+11:00

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.

New book on Greenvale

2011-10-21T10:14:00.002+11:00

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.

New Irish Records on Ancestry

2011-10-20T15:22:00.000+11:00

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.

Historic Images Workshop

2011-10-20T14:35:00.000+11:00

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.

On Their Own: Britain's Child Migrants

2011-10-14T10:09:00.015+11:00

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

English Family History Course

2011-10-10T16:21:00.000+11:00

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.

The Australian Generations project

2011-10-04T11:59:00.000+11:00

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.

Victorian Seniors Week Festival @ the GSV

2011-10-03T12:48:00.000+11:00

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.

New Local History Books

2011-09-19T16:23:00.001+10:00

Hoyts 1909 - 2009 - The Legacy of Arthur Francis Russell by Ross King with David Kilderry and Ian Smith. Excellent read for movie aficionado and history buffs.

Keilor Centotaph: the story behind this memorial. Curators Susan Jennison OAM & Dorothy Minkoff. March 2011.

Upcoming event @ Essendon Historical Society

2011-08-23T16:09:00.000+10:00

Melbourne's Tramways will be the topic of the September meeting of the Essendon Historical Society. The special guest speaker will be accompanied by a film. Free All welcome 7.30pm Tuesday 27th September, 768 Mt Alexander Road Moonee Ponds 9370 4607. More details closer to the event will be posted.

Facebook Workshop

2011-08-19T15:52:00.000+10:00

If you are new to Facebook and would like to dip into some social media, the Public Record Office Victoria is planning to run a number of free introductory workshops that will cover basic information such as -

Creating a Facebook account
Managing your privacy settings
Posting content on Facebook
Inviting people to events
Demonstrating ways in which connecting with PROV and others on Facebook might benefit your research.

If interested in attending a Facebook workshop email enquiries@prov.vic.gov.au

Findmypast Database

2011-08-18T12:33:00.002+10:00

The Moonee Valley Library Service has subscribed to the UK and Australian editions of FindmyPast. This major genealogical database for British research and contains approximately 750 million historical records and covers a broad range of topics, including birth, death and marriages indexes, parish records, census records, immigration and shipping, military records and other miscellaneous sources. Some of the most recent additions include
Parish records launched, over 290,000 new parish records going back to the sixteenth century covering Warwickshire, Sheffield, Suffolk and Rugby.
Rare World War 1 records released in the Surrey Recruitment Registers
Royal Fusiliers Collection 1863-1905 comprises the names of close to 5000 officers and men who took part in a series of British military campaigns.

The Australian edition has millions of Australian & New Zealand family and local history records.
Recent additions include
New Zealand Jury Rolls 1842 to 1862
New Zealand Electoral Rolls 1853 to 1864
Australian Dictionary Dates & Men
Australian Handbook 1904
New South Wales Government Gazette 1832

This database is only available within the library only. To access please ring the Moonee Valley Library Service to book a computer.

Royal Historical Society's History News

2011-07-18T16:16:00.000+10:00

The July/August, 2011 History News is now available online. The Sam Merrifield Library has the latest edition of the Victorian Historical Journal for June, 2011 and available in the Local History Room. Some of the articles in the journal include the following -

Community Cookbooks: Women's Words and Hospitality at Bayswater Church of Christ 1962-1990 by Kerrie Handasyde.

The Arrival and Settlement of Macedonians in the Inner Western Suburbs of Melbourne by Nick Anastasovski.

Singing in 'a sort of musical chaos': Dame Nellie Melba and the campaign to Lower the Pitch of the Grand Organ in the Melbourne Town Hall by Simon Purtell.

World War 1 Pictorial Honour Rolls of Australians

2011-07-18T15:20:00.000+10:00

This website allows you to search WW1 photos from South Australia, currently 1,995 have been added for South Australia. Other states include Tasmania, Victoria (113 photos), Queensland, Wetern Australia and New South Wales. The pages are sorted by state, service unit and one for unidentified personnel. You can download your WW1 photos, email addresses are provided to identify the holders of the original photos. For more information go to http://www.gravesecrets.net/

Family History Week @ Moonee Valley Libraries

2011-07-14T15:13:00.022+10:00

Preserving Your Documents

Learn how to preserve the old and use the new in exploring your family heritage. Have you go old photographs, paper documents or even more recent disks full of digital photographs and family videos, are you worried about how to preserve and store them? Ada Ackerly, history and genealogy researcher, will talk about document preservation as well as contingency planning for disasters which may wipe out these irreplaceable collections.

Sam Merrifield Library
Wednesday, 3rd August at 7pm
Free, but bookings necessary. Call 8325 1950

Digital Storytelling

Learn the concepts of digital storytelling as a way of telling family and personal stories using recent computer technologies through an introductory workshop conducted by Hisham Atia, a local multi-media and IT engineer. Workshop participants can use their own photos if already scanned onto a USB stick.

Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre
Saturday, 6th August, 1.30-3.30pm
Free, but bookings necessary. Call 8325 1940

For more events for Family History Week visit the National Family History Week website.

The 11th Fireside Reading

2011-07-08T15:19:00.008+10:00

The Essendon Historical Society presents the 11th Fireside Reading Travellers' Tales, Saturday 6th August 2011 commencing at 1.45pm, venue is The Old Courthouse, 768 Mt. Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds 3039.

Come in from the cold, step back in time and enjoy a magnificient building, sit by a roaring open fire and candlelight. Enjoy presentations from classic Australian authors by costumed Readers. Afternoon tea included.

Enquiries 9370 4607 $10 admission.

An Aboriginal Moomba Exhibition

2011-07-01T16:11:00.008+10:00

The Aboriginal Moomba: 'Out of the Dark' is a significant exhibition which re-visits the 1951 landmark Moomba performance that took traditional and contemporary culture out of the shadows and onto the national and international stage. It features high quality reproductions of photographs held in Public Records Office Victoria's collection and images reproduced from the personal scrapbook of political activist and film-maker Bill Onus. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this exhibition contains images of deceased Indigenous people.

This exhibition is at the Sam Merrifield Library,Saturday 2nd July to Tuesday 26th July. Free. Open during library hours.

Ancestor Magazine

2011-06-20T16:13:00.042+10:00

The latest edition of Ancestor focuses on the Pepper family of Gippsland. The article is the result of research by Simon Flagg that he started in 2004 when he was the joint reference officer for PROV and NAA. Both PROV and NAA have a large amount of records directly relating to Victorian Aboriginal people. His initial research started with the Koorie Index of Names (KIN). The result of his work is the touring exhibition 'Footprints: an exhibition about Lucy & Percy Pepper', recently completed by the Public Records Office Victoria about an Aboriginal Victorian family. The book 'Footprints: the journey of Lucy and Percy Pepper' is available from the Moonee Valley Library Service. This exhibition will be touring in 2011 to Eastern Regional Libraries (Healesville and Lilydale) 6th September-30th October, 2011.

Mapping our Anzacs

2011-06-10T13:51:00.004+10:00

A new First World War based website has been launched by the National Archives of Australia. The site allows you to search for details of Australian service personnel who served in the conflict, with some 375,000 service records freely available to search, and also allows you to contribute your own photographs and to leave a tribute to any ancestors who may have served. Registration is required.

Family History Feast @ State Library of Victoria

2011-05-24T10:08:00.013+10:00

Bookings have opened for the Family History Feast, a day of free information sessions for family history researchers or anyone wishing to learn more about family history resources and how to access them. The day will include the following sessions -

Indigenous Family History Research - Public Record Office Victoria
VicHeritage at Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages - overview of current projects. Peter Gloury VicHeritage Manager, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Viewing of WDYTYA dvd (Shane Bourne episode) available at 12.30pm in the Theatrette
Conscription records - Mark Brennan, National Archives of Australia
Australian published collections - Katie Flack, Librarian, State Library of Victoria
Introduction to VAFHO and the Don Grant Lecture by Jenny Harkness, VAFHO President, 2011 Don Grant Lecture: Storming the barricades: the family history revolution presented by Dr Andrew Lemon

$1.66 million to share and celebrate Victoria's history

2011-05-24T10:02:00.010+10:00

The State Government of Victoria has provided $1.66 million funding in the 2011-12 Victorian Budget to ensure the continuation of the popular Local History Grants Program and the Victorian Community History Awards, run by the Public Record Office Victoria. This is great news for the local and family history community to ensure our history is preserved for future generations.

New Local History Book

2011-04-21T11:21:00.007+10:00

The Sam Merrifield Library has a copy of 'Griffith & District Pioneers - A Biographical Register'compiled and published by Griffith Genealogical & Historical Society Inc. This is the second in a series established by Hilary Dalton and Wendy Polkinghorne in Volume 1. It documents, the story of the second stage of the development of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas - the settlement of many of the soldiers returning from World War 1 onto irrigation farms.

Essendon Historical Society 26th April Meeting

2011-04-19T16:11:00.012+10:00

The Special Guest Speaker will be Major Ian Rainford OAM,ED, President, The City of Essendon Regiment 58th/32nd Infantry Battalion Association.

Major Rainford will speak on World War 1. He will also formally present to the Essendon Historical Society the 58th/32nd Regiment Book of Remembrance.

This book, containing the names of 30 officers and 585 men of the 58th
Battalion who fell in the Great War, was presented to the Battalion by
Cr Royle in 1935.At the same time Major General Blamey unveiled the
Battalion Monument on Pascoe Vale Rd ,the only one in Australia honouring a single unit.

Please join us as we take on guardianship of the historic Book of Remembrance.
Free, Tues 26 April 7-30pm 768 Mt Alexander Rd Moonee Ponds 3039 Phone 93704607

"The Empire Called and I Answered'

2011-04-04T15:50:00.004+10:00

The next meeting of the North Western branch of the Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies Inc. will be about World War 1 Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, presented by well known local historian Lenore Frost. Details as follows -

Monday 18th April, 2011 @ 8pm
Moonee Ponds Courthouse, Kellaway Avenue, Moonee Ponds.
AIGS Members - free; Visitors - $3.00, Light refreshments will be served.

Phone Terry AH 9376 7637

Scottish Genealogy Conference

2011-04-04T15:36:00.006+10:00

The Third Australasian
Scottish Genealogy Conference

Catch the Moments

Scotland 1750 to 1850
A Century of Transformation
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th APRIL 2011

Hemisphere Conference Centre 488 South Road, Moorabbin, Melbourne

$75 per day, or $130 for both days including lunch
Saturday night Dinner and Ceilidh $50 pp.

CONFERENCE FEATURES

Choice of eight lectures each day
Live Scottish music and dance
Exhibition area
Easy access - all activities/facilities on ground floor
Free on-site parking
On-site Hotel accommodation available

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Sheena Tait (UK) - Scottish professional genealogists; Genealogy tutor; Panelist and writer for UK publications Practical Family History and Family Tree Magazine.

Eric Richards (Aus) - Professor of History at Flinders University, Adelaide. A specialist in Australian and Scottish history and author of the well known "The Highland Clearances"

Sydney and New South Wales, Sands Street Index, 1861-1930

2011-04-04T14:51:00.006+10:00

Contained in this database is a collection of Sand's directories for Sydney and New South Wales, Australia from 1861-1933. Available directories are for the years 1861, 1865, 1870, 1875, 1880, 1885, 1890, 1900, 1905, 1910, 1915, 1920, 1925 and 1930. Why use directories? Directories are useful for locating people in a particular place and time. The advertisements and professional or commerical sections of the directory can also help you learn more about your ancestor's occupation and may lead you to other occupational records. Published by John Sands, the Sands' Directories cover the Sydney metropolitan area and the rural country of New South Wales. This is a new database available on Ancestry.

Explore new Irish records on Ancestry

2011-03-29T15:34:00.028+11:00

Ancestry database has added some important 19th century records covering critical periods prior to and following the Irish Potato Famine.

Griffith's Valuation, 1848-1864
This index has approximately one million individuals who occupied property in Ireland between 1848 and 1864.Griffith's Valuation is an invaluable reference for family historians with ancestors in Ireland in part because no census material from the nineteenth century has survived. It is the only detailed guide to where in Ireland people lived in the mid-nineteenth century and what property they owned or leased.

Tithe Applotment Books, 1823-1837
These record the results of a unique land survey taken to determine the amount of tax payable to landholders to the Church of Ireland, the established church until 1869. This data set represents a virtual census for pre-famine Ireland. Since it covers all of Ireland and is important in terms of constructing, not just an image of a particular family line, but of wider social conditions in the country.

Ordnance Survey, 1824-1846
This collection may be used in conjunction with other databases on Ancestry such as Ireland, Index to Griffith's Valuation, 1848-1864. The detailed maps of Ireland that make up this database took 20 years to complete and offer an unparalleled look at 19th-century Ireland around the time of the Great Famine.

Lawrence Collection of photographs, 1870-1910
This collection contains early photographic collections documenting Ireland, the 21,000 photographs were named for William Lawrence, who opened a photography studio in Dublin in 1865. The 40,000 glass-plate negatives are now housed in the National Library of Ireland.

Maps at the State Library of Victoria

2011-03-29T14:48:00.012+11:00

Recently the State Library of Victoria has digitised over 500 Victorian maps. Over the coming months this figure will increase to several thousand. These will include the Victorian Parish maps, auction plans, and other major series of Victorian maps (early topographics, aerial surveys etc). The maps are out of copyright and can be freely downloaded in JPG and TIFF format. For more information visit the SLV Family Matters blog.

Andrew Junor Talk @ Sam Merrifield Library

2011-03-22T11:31:00.004+11:00

Our Changing Community: Chung On Restaurant

The Chung On Chinese restaurant served customers on Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds for over fifty years. When the cafe first opened its doors in 1953 there was little competition: the pubs closed at six o'clock, the White Australia policy was still in place, and meat and three veg was the staple home diet. By the time Chung On closed in late 2007, Moonee Ponds had a multicultural population and a diverse selection of restaurants, cafes and bars. Andrew Junor , a researcher in the field, charts the story of this restaurant and its relationship with a suburb undergoing great cultural and economic change. It is the story of evolving community tastes, the development of a new kind of suburban dining, and one family's transition from migrants to civic leaders.

Sam Merrifield Library
Wednesday 6 April, 7pm
Free, but bookings necessary. Call 8325 1950

One Lovely Blog Award

2011-03-17T13:58:00.007+11:00

The Moonee Valley Family and Local History blog has received another award, once again it is a great way for the blog to continually gain more exposure in the world of genealogy.

New Family and History Books @ Moonee Valley Library Service

2011-03-11T11:59:00.021+11:00

Saltwater in the ink: voices from the Australian seas by Lucy Sussex. This is a collection of letters from English and Scottish travellers voyaging from Northern Europe to Australia in the 1800's. These letters bring alive their everyday experiences during a journey which took 70-100 days on clipper ships; and later on steam-powered vessels less than two months.

Social Media for Family Historians by Carole Riley This book is for anyone interested in learning more about social media and how to use this new media when researching your family history. Carol Riley explains what is social media, discusses the advantage and disadvantages, why use it and lots more.

Women of the diggings, Ballarat 1854 by Dorothy Wickham. The first detailed account of the lives and roles of women on the Victorian Goldfields. The books is presented in two parts. The first part comprises 10 chapters of detailed accounts of women on the Victorian goldfields. Part 2 lists around 1,500 biographies of women who were associated with Ballarat in 1854.

Illness in Colonial Australia by F.B. Smith. A well researched book on the impact of age-old illnesses of the early settlers of Australia.

Illness in Colonial Australia by F.B. Smith. A well researched book on illness that affected the early settlers of Australia.

Harrick's Cottage Open Day 2011

2011-03-11T11:48:00.009+11:00

Brimbank City Council and Keilor Historical Society Inc. are delighted to be holding an open day on Saturday 26th March, 2011 12 noon - 4pm. The programme will include the exhibition Keilor Village Centaph: the story behind this memorial will be available for viewing. Curated by Susan Jennison and Dorothy Minkoff. 1.30pm Official welcome. Entry will be by donation with the proceeds going to the KHS. Afternoon tea will be offered during the Open Day.

Harrick's Cottage, Harrick Road, Keilor Park (Melway ref:map 15 A 7)

Harrick's Cottage Open Day is sponsored by Brimbank City Council.

Enquiries Christine Love on 9743 7493

Newmarket Saleyards 150 year anniversary

2011-02-21T16:30:00.009+11:00

To celebrate the Newmarket Saleyards anniversary Museum Victoria has curated an exhibition of stories, objects and stories. The Newmarket Collection has digitised images of books recording Outwards Livestock, a Branding Iron and a Ceramic Plate from the Newmarket Hotel, 1900-1958. The site has links to related stories about the Newmarket Saleyards. The Local History Room at the Sam Merrifield Library has a substantial collection of information on the Saleyards in the Vertical Files.

New Genealogy Database Trial

2011-02-15T11:37:00.052+11:00

The Moonee Valley Library Service has a 90-day trial of "Find My Past" a well known genealogy site. It can only be used in the library and we have access to both the Australian and the UK versions.

You can access it at http://www.findmypast.com.au/ which give you the Australian edition. Contents include Sands & McDougall, NZ electoral rolls, government gazettes and much more.

The following is the link for the UK edition findmypast. The site includes census, migration and army records.

Comments and feedback welcome.

50 helpful genealogical websites

2011-02-14T10:09:00.024+11:00

Several years ago Kory Meyerink wanted to know if his website ProGenealogists.com was reaching it target audience. He set out to find the most popular genealogy websites. His top websites for 2011 include Ancestory.com; MyHeritage.com; FindAGrave.com; FamilySearch.org; and Genealogy.com. For the full listing visit ProGenealogists

New records on Ancestry

2011-02-08T10:23:00.023+11:00

Ancestry is pleased to announce the release of six important databases with historical significance to New Zealanders.

Summary of the new online collectons are as follows:

New Zealand Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981
Electoral rolls for New Zealand from 1853 to 1981 are contained in this collection. By law, all persons who were eligible to vote were required to register on the electoral roll, even if they did not intend to vote. The original collections of electoral rolls are held in the Parliamentary Library in Wellington, New Zealand.

New Zealand, Maori Voter and Electoral Rolls, 1908 & 1919
Information listed in the rolls includes: Names of voter, tribe, sub tribe or hapu, address, and gender.

Canterbury, New Zealand, Provincial Rolls, 1868-1874
The rolls were compiled during election years and include the names of individuals from each electoral district who were qualified to vote for the provincial superintendent and members of the provincial council.

New Zealand, Jury Lists, 1842-1862
In the mid 1800s every male British subject between the ages of 21 and 60 years old who resided in New Zealand was qualified to serve as a juror. Contained in the jury lists are names of jurors, residences, and trade or calling for the individual.

New Zealand, Naturalisations, 1843-1981
This is an index of persons who were naturalized or given citizenship in New Zealand between 1843 to 1981. Images of the records won't be displayed due to privacy restrictions.

New Zealand, Maori Land Claims, 1858-1980
As recorded by the New Zealand Parliament, this index contains Maori claims made for land from 1858 to 1980. Information listed includes claimant (person, group, or tribe), year of claim, description of claim, and additional notes.

Ancestry is available free to any members of the Moonee Valley Library Service.

Who's been sleeping in my house?

2011-02-01T09:37:00.016+11:00

A new ABC TV program on tracing the history of your house will commence in August 2011. This show will no doubt be as popular with family history buffs as the show "Who do you think you are"? ...this is the Next Big Thing! The show will be presented by Melbourne-based archaeologist and cultural heritage expert Adam Ford. This eight-part series will be supported by a website which will give viewers tips and tricks to trace the history of their own homes. The history of homes is one of the most popular questions that we receive at the Sam Merrifield library, people love to know if there is something special about their home. On a personal level I am looking forward to any new clues or tips on this topic.

Ancestor Approved Award

2011-01-21T09:51:00.131+11:00

A couple of days ago I received a comment from blogger Geniaus that was for an "Ancestor Approved Award". Recipients of the award are required to:

Write 10 surprising, humbling, or enlightening aspects of their research;

Pass the Award on to 10 other researchers whose family history blogs are doing their ancestors proud.

The Moonee Valley Family and Local History Blog was created a couple of years ago after completing the SLV Web 2.0 Training. The blog is part of the new social media that works alongside more traditional resources that are associated with local and family history. Many of our enquiries are from our Ask a Librarian portal, people visiting the library and often requests from overseas. The following are some of the events, activities and queries that the Moonee Valley Library Service has presented over the last twelve months.

The Sam Merrifield Library hosted the touring exhibition 'Independent Type Books and Writing in Victoria' in February/March. Our focus on was on local author Hugh Anderson and publisher of the Red Rooster Publishing established in Ascot Vale in the 1970's.

The Travelling Treasures from the State Library of Victoria was shown at the Sam Merrifield Library alongside our own treasures the Thomson family records of Moonee Ponds. These records were a great surprise from a family member who donated them to the library a couple of years. They document the family's social and working life in the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Some of the items include seven invitations to the official functions celebrating the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, dated 1901, a booklet celebrating the Centenary of Melbourne, 1835-1934, one League & Association football fixture 1936, a bookmark celebrating Empire Day 24th May, 1953, two pamphlets to be used in thanksgiving services for the blessing of peace after the Great War of 1914-18 and photographs of the Thomson family.

The exhibition 'Forgotten Faces: Chinese & the Law from the Public Records Office of Victoria was shown at the Sam Merrifield Library from July to August, 2010.

For a number of years the Moonee Valley Library Service has been presenting a session on digital storytelling. Once again this was a happy accident when the presenter Hisham Attia approached the library about this project. The event has proved very popular and has become a regular feature in Family History Week. Last year Hisham presented the workshop at our Flemington Library branch. He uses digital techniques to tell personal and family stories and introduces these concepts to encourage you to tell your own story using digital technologies.

Burke & Wills 150th anniversary expedition. For this anniversary the library assisted with a children's art competition.

The ever popular Ann Dixon who is a collector and expert on vintage costume visited the Ascot Vale library branch to celebrate the Spring Racing Carnival. The presentation and talk was about clothing fashion worn during the Melbourne Cup, from the 19th the 21st century. The emphasis was on hats with examples from her extensive collection.

The Moonee Valley Council has developed a new website with some new features.

A couple of months ago Cory Greenwood re-designed the blog with a new presentation for easier access to information.

Enquires about family history over the last twelve months have included requests from Manchester, England about their ancestors who moved to Moonee Ponds in 1917, histories of local homes, schools and hotels.

The library service co-presented with the Essendon Historical Society a Writers Panel; "Criminal Intent" books on crime, whether fiction or non-fiction in the historic Moonee Ponds Courthouse.

The following are my 10 blog nominations, hope they fit into the criteria.

Heritage Victoria
Family Matters
Tiger’s Mouth
Empire Called and I Answered
Museum Victoria Discovery Centre
GenealogyWise
UnlockthePast
Family Research English, Scottish and Irish Genealogy
Geneabloggers
Carol Baxter

Starting your Family History @ GSV

2011-01-17T15:41:00.010+11:00

The Genealogy Society of Victoria will be commencing classes on the 1st Wednesday of the month in 2011 from 10.30am to 12.00pm

Topics to be covered include

Gathering family information
Recording information
Confirming information
Starting research - BDMs etc
Investigating other records e.g. Passengers, Cemeteries and Naturalisation.

Charge: GSV members $8.00, non-members $10.00

Ph: 9662 4455 Fax: 9663 0841 Email: gsv@gsv.org.au Web: http://www.gsv.org.au/

'Shake your Family Tree'

2011-01-14T11:36:00.007+11:00

The National Archives of Australia will be hosting an open day at the Public Records Office on Friday 25th February, 9.30am-4pm, the event is free. This is your chance to take part in activities, demonstrations and workshops. For more information and a detailed listing of the Melbourne program visit NNA website.

Flemington Association Heritage Local History Brochure

2011-01-14T11:12:00.012+11:00

The Flemington Association Heritage Committee will launch a new brochure on some of the treasures of Flemington. The project was assisted by funding from Moonee Valley Council and the brochure will feature 20 self-guided walks across Flemington's heritage areas. The brochure will be available next month to be followed by a website with many aspects of the history of Flemington. For more information read the article 'Walk through time a step forward' by Robert Fedele in this week's Moonee Valley Weekly.

Victorian Historical Journal

2010-12-17T11:04:00.014+11:00

The November, 2010 edition has arrived at the Sam Merrifield Library. Articles include the following -

Walter Woodbury's 1855 Panorama of Melbourne by Amanda Lourie

Robert Law (1870-1930): The Man and his Glass Slide Collection by Tony Aplin and Richard Barnden

Aboriginal Language Areas in Northeast Victoria: Mogullumbidji Reconsidered by Ian D. Clark

The Massacre of the Gadubanud at Aire River by Lawrence Niewojt

The Life and Times of Peter Snodgrass by Annette Lewis

The Old Supreme Court of Victoria Buildings: Everything Old Is New Again by Sue Reynolds

An S.O.S. from beyond Gallipoli': Victoria and the Armenian Relief Fund by Vicken Babkenian

Hewart's The New Despotism in Australia 1929-1932 by Jackie Dickenson

The journal also reviews recently published books on Victorian and Australian history.

The Victorian Historical Journal is not for loan but is available in the Local History Room, at the Sam Merrifield Library, Moonee Ponds.

Notable Buildings of Moonee Valley

2010-12-10T09:47:00.084+11:00

"NGARVENO", 71-73 Ngarveno Street, Moonee Ponds.

The home "Ngarveno" was formerly owned by John Davies, who was the Member of Parliament for North Melbourne and Chairman of the Bench at the Moonee Ponds Court House. He died in 1901 aged 82 years. The Ngarveno Estate, established in 1862, originally extended from the Moonee Ponds Creek to Mount Alexander Road, and from Dean Street to Ormond Road. Davies established vineyards that covered 16 acres and was renowned for its wine. The name of the house was chosen by Davies because of its position facing towards the east, overlooking the Moonee Ponds Creek, it must have been flooded with light as the day dawned, so Davies gave it the aboriginal term for "rising sun" or "sunnyside"- 'Ngarveno". The original "Ngarveno" is a lovely old house with spacious verandahs on three sides. It is of bluestone with a stucco surface. Its style is plain - the most ornate feature being slender wooden columns on the verandah. It is among the oldest houses in the Essendon area.

"ROSEBANK", Rosebank Avenue, Strathmore.

Thomas Napier one of the earliest residents in this area was born in Scotland in 1802 and came to Melbourne in 1837. He was present at the earliest land sales in the town and bought the sites of the Commercial Bank, Collins Street and the "Argus" Office. A carpenter by trade, he built a small cottage on the Collins Street site and later bought land in the Essendon area. In 1845, he petitioned the government - then in Sydney - to make available for sale some country blocks. It did and he was able to buy 100 acres (40 hectares) "on the Moonee Ponds", 9.5 kilometres from Melbourne, and an area then officially known as Lot 15 in Doutta Galla, N.S.W. He built a house on what was then known as Napier's Hill - presumably the site of the present "Rosebank". He died in 1881 and his property was then divided between his wife, Jessie, and his son, Theodore. In 1891, Jessie Napier's property was passed on to her daughter and son-in-law - Dr. and Mrs Barber and it was in this year, that the present house "Rosebank" was built. It is a two storey brick house with iron lace on the verandah and parapet and other ornamental features such as the patterned brickwork. The house is magnificiently situated with extensive views towards the east. In 1923, Rosebank was bought by the Fathers of the Columban Missionary Society, and later by the Sisters of Charity who bought the property in 1961, the nuns sold the property in 2005.

LEBANON, Wendora Street, Strathmore

Lebanon, the oldest house in the area, must once have had extensive views over the countryside - occupying an elevated position, where the only other house visible was that belonging to John Pascoe Fawkner on the hill to the north. John Murray Peck, famous as one of the founders of Cobb & Co., bought this land in 1881 and built the house, calling it Lebanon after his birthplace in New Hampshire, U.S.A. Peck arrived in Melbourne in 1853 aged 23 years, having worked with Wells Fargo in his home country. Already an expert with horses and coaches, he joined with Freeman Cobb and others in forming a company and their first coach ran in January, 1854. Peck embarked on a business venture in the 1860's when he bought several thousand sheep and shipped them to Otago gold fields, but the sheep were destroyed by the New Zealand Government, which did not pay Peck compensation. Other sheep waiting in Australia for shipment had to be destroyed, this venture cost him his savings that he had amassed through his partnership in Cobb and Co. Later Peck was a familiar figure at the Newmarket saleyards, where he was a leading auctioneer of cattle. He died in 1903.

NORTH PARK MANSION, Woodlands Street, Essendon

Prior to North Park being constructed it had a number of owners including John Thomas Smith of Ascot House and William Kissock (who bred dairy cattle there in the 1860's). The land was purchased by Alexander McCracken in 1887 for the sum of 5000 pounds. Oakden, Addison and Kemp were commissioned to design the 42 room North Park Mansion in 1888. The construction used Red Northcote bricks, sandstone from Waurn Ponds, basalt from Malmsbury and roofing tiles from Marseilles, France. Alexander McCracken, after a very active life involved in business, public and sporting affairs, died in 1915 and in 1920 his widow sold all of the remaining North Park Estate land other than the Mansion and six acres. The mansion was then sold to Harvey Paterson, an executive of B.H.P. In 1923 the house and land was sold to the Columban Order. The house served as a seminary for thirty years and today it is the Australian headquarters of the St.Columbans Mission. The architecture style of North Park is a combination of Scottish Baronial, French, Victorian and Tudor, however nevertheless remains an impressive and noteworthy building. The Mansion has been protected by being added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 1997.

CHANTRELL, 36-38 Margaret Street, Moonee Ponds.

By 1860 Melbourne's population had increased to 14,000 and it was at this time at "Tower Villa" was built and re-named "Chantrell" by the Kent Hughes family, the house has played an important part in early history of Moonee Ponds as the home of some of its most distinguished citizens. By the turn of the century Melbourne directories list J. Cunningham McFarlane, solicitor, at "Tower House', 28 Margaret Street, Moonee Ponds. Later, the building became a doctor's residence owned by Dr. George Strachan and later by Dr. Montague Owen Kent Hughes, who combined a successful political career with his practice of medicine. The name "Chantrell" is derived from the Chantrell Pelicans on the family coat of arms. The 1905 MMBW plan of Essendon shows "Tower House".

The Local History Room Vertical File at the Sam Merrifield Library has more information on homes in the area such as Roslyn Court which was owned by the Gilbertson family, Ardmillan, Ardoch Tower and the Moonee Ponds Courthouse.

New Local History CD

2010-12-07T16:19:00.004+11:00

The Footscray Cemetery Register and Memorial Inscriptions. This CD indexes names from the Footscray Cemetery Register (1860-1970) and Memorial Inscriptions (to 1997). Each name in the index is hyperlinked to its source - i.e. an image of the relevant burial register page, or an image of the relevant page of transcriptions. This CD is available in the Local History Room at the Sam Merrifield Library, Moonee Ponds.

Local History Book for Sale @ Sam Merrifield Library

2010-11-22T09:36:00.003+11:00

The latest publication by the Essendon Historical Society "The Fine Homes of Essendon and Flemington 1846-1880' is now available for sale at the Sam Merrifield Library, cost $25.00.

Social Media Sites for Family History

2010-10-29T15:24:00.008+11:00

The Genealogy in New South Wales blog has posted a guide to the Top 10 Social Sites for Family Historians put together by Carole Riley. The alphabetical listing has a short description about each site. Try some out and see what you can find, happy searching.

History & Genealogy Road Show 2010

2010-10-28T15:26:00.006+11:00

This event will come to Melbourne on the 12th and 13th November, 2010 at The Centre, Ivanhoe, 275 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe.

Speakers from overseas and Australia, as well as trade exhibitions.

The Genealogical Society of Victoria will be having an offsite bookshop.

For more details and to pre book visit Unlockthepast website.

Leader Community Newspapers is a Walkley finalist

2010-10-26T14:45:00.000+11:00

Diamond Valley Leader photojournalist Andy Drewitt's feature "A trail of lost souls" is the story of Melbourne genealogist Kath Ensor and her research into the records of mental institutions. Her work into the effects of institutionalisation as a PhD student at Monash University in Clayton, Ms Ensor found that the lost lives were a reality of the modern-day mental health system. Her focus was on two men, Frank and Norman and their battles with schizophrenia. The article may be viewed on the Newsbank database via the library's Online Library.

Book Launch on Monday 25th October, 2010

2010-10-21T14:44:00.000+11:00

The Essendon Historical Society announces the launch of The Fine Homes of Essendon and Flemington (1846-1880). This 96 page book traces the stories of 36 manison homes of the district and the families that occupied them. Lavishly illustrated with rare photographs that evoke the elegance of the era. Fully indexed. Cost $25.00 postage $4.00. The launch is at 10am Monday 25th October at The Old Courthouse, 768 Mt. Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds. Professor Miles Lewis, AM, Professor in the Faculty of Architecture, University of Melbourne will speak at the launch. Morning tea provided. RSVP by 20th October on 9370 4607.

October is History Week

2010-10-15T16:11:00.000+11:00

Once again The Victorian Historical Society of Victoria has put together a great program from the 24th - 31st October to celebrate the history of Victoria's past. Please make sure you jump online http://www.historyweek.org.au/ and have a look at the interesting and varied activities that are available.

New Local History CD - Patients in Melbourne Hospital 1856-1905

2010-10-15T15:59:00.000+11:00

This new CD is an index of 49,552 names in the Melbourne Hospital (now The Royal Melbourne Hospital) Ward Books. There are 451 Ward Books which have been indexed for this CD. These books are held at the Public Records Office Victoria (PROV). Every indexed name is hyperlinked to a set of details extracted from that patient's medical records in the Ward Book. To access this information you need to book the Local History PC at the Sam Merrifield Library, Moonee Ponds Ph. 8325 1950.

Maribyrnong River

2010-10-12T14:14:00.001+11:00

London has the Thames, Paris the Seine, New York the Hudson and Melburnians living in the north west have the other river the Maribyrnong River one of Melbourne's major urban waterways. The name is derived from mirring-gnay-bir-nong, said to mean "I can hear a ringtail possum' in the local Woiwurrung language. The Maribyrnong winds through Keilor, Sunshine, Essendon and Footscray, then flows into the Yarra near Port Melbourne. For many years it has been a source of industry, recreation, vegetation and Aboriginal archaeological sites. In 1940, an Aboriginal Skull was found during excavation on dry creek near the Maribyrnong in Keilor; it has been dated to about 15,000 years old. Further investigations have unearthed evidence of campsites as old as 40,000 years. Prior to this discovery the explorers James Fleming, Charles Grimes were on a survey of Bass Strait and Port Phillip in February, 1803 when they launched a small rowing boat from their ship and made their way up the Maribyrnong River. After the goldrushes of the the 1850's industries were established along the river to provide employment for returning miners. The industries that developed in the area were slaughterhouses, boiling down works, tanneries, glue works, bone mills, a wool washer and a soap works on the Maribyrnong by the 1860's. Despite the industry and the pollution, there were places to enjoy along the river. A popular place for relaxation after a working week was the Riverview Tea Gardens operated by the Hicks family that began in 1909 and provided kiosks, a dance hall and pleasure cruises on their boat 'River Queen'. These activities operated throughout the 1920's and '30s; closed during the Second World War and ceased to operate in 1947 due to a lack of interest. Peter Somerville of the Blackbird River Cruises started cruises in 1979 and has seen the return of birds, fish, penguins, seals and the occasional dolphin.

For more information see -

Maribyrnong Action in Tranquillity by Olwen Ford & Pamela Lewis

Maribyrnong Record: Past Images of the River by Judy Maddigan and Lenore Frost

The Vertical File in the Sam Merrifield Local History Room has newspaper clippings, photographs and a resource kit on the Maribyrnong River.

Local History Vertical File @ Sam Merrifield Library

2010-10-11T14:40:00.000+11:00

The library is currently undertaking a review of the vertical file in order to make it more accessible to library users. This is a long term project that involves weeding, adding key word searches and re-cataloguing of some items in the collection. Any ideas or feedback would be welcome.

Victorian Seniors Festival at the GSV

2010-10-01T14:57:00.000+10:00

Free Talks and Open Day

Seniors card and bookings essential

Monday October 4th Researching Scottish Ancestors 11.00am-12midday

Wednesday October 6th Researching Irish Ancestors 2.00pm-3pm

Saturday October 9th Family History Library Open Day including Beginners Talk 10am-4pm

The GSV is located at Level B1, 257 Collins Street, Melbourne Ph: 662 4455 Fax: 9663 0841

150th Anniversary of the Melbourne Cup

2010-09-27T10:00:00.000+10:00

This year Melbourne will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Melbourne Cup 'the race that stops a nation'. The first Melbourne Cup was won by Archer in 1861-62, in 1865 Melbourne Cup Day was declared a holiday for public servants and bank employees. A year later private employees joined and Victoria had a public holiday for all Victorians to enjoy a day at the races. In 1875 the Cup was for the first time run on the first Tuesday in November with the Melbourne Cup Carnival taking up its present four day format. Fashion played an important role in racing and the NGV International will be having a night of fashion and racing on Tuesday 26th October at 6.30pm, hear about the changing fashion influences at the Melbourne Cup Carnival and Britain's Royal Ascot. Cup fashions will be the theme for Ann Dixon's talk at Ascot Vale Library on Wednesday October 20th at 2pm, free but bookings essential, call 8325 1990. For more information about this anniversary visit the Victorian Racing Clubs' 150th Melbourne Cup site. Material from the State Library of Victoria's collection and items from the Victoria Racing Club will be on display from the 16th October to 31st October, 2010.

Source: The Cup - 125 years 'Flemington - the course of history' by Brendan Ford, Victoria Racing Club. Article from the Sam Merrifield Library's Local History Vertical File.

Australia Marriage Index, 1788-1949

2010-09-23T15:29:00.001+10:00

Ancestry has released a national database of Australian BDM records, which allows you to search across all states of Australia for each of these events. While this is an important index of early Australian records, they are not necessarily 100 percent complete - compliance to registration laws vary and Australia's vast distances complicate most record-keeping efforts. For more information about tips for searching, a comparison chart of date ranges for births, deaths and marriage for every state and territory in Australia, have a look at an article 'Records go National' in the October, 2010 PC User magazine which is available at Moonee Valley Libraries.

UK 'Floating Prison' to the First Mayor of Parramatta

2010-09-23T15:14:00.000+10:00

Ancestry database has launched online the Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849 - the records of almost 200,000 convicts who were imprisoned on giant floating gaols known as prison hulks. The records, the originals which are held by The National Archives in Kew, UK provide a fascinating insight into the Victorian criminal underworld and conditions aboard the Dickensian ships, which were introduced to ease overcrowded London prisons, often holding inmates prior to transportation to the Australian penal colonies. Among the records is the rise of Parramatta's first Mayor, John Williams.

English and Welsh Wills from 1861-1941

2010-08-20T11:17:00.000+10:00

Ancestry, Australia's number one family history website has launched online the England and Wales National Probate Calendar, 1861-1941 - an index to more than six million wills across the 19th and 20th centuries, included are the wills of more than 4,500 people who died in Australia. The records for the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 is now available on Ancestry. The Ancestry database is available at the Moonee Valley Library Service, to book a PC contact your nearest library.

Two hundred years of local history for $5.00

2010-08-20T10:35:00.000+10:00

The Essendon Historical Society is making all 4 volumes of the Annuals of Essendon available at this bargain price. The author Bob Chalmers has recorded in chronological order the events that have occurred in Essendon and the district since 1802 to the year 2000, this special price will be available to the end of September 2010. The annals may be purchased at the Essendon Historical Society, 768 Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds, open Sundays 2-5pm Ph. 9370 4607.

New Family History Book

2010-08-10T11:13:00.000+10:00

The Moonee Valley Library Service has a new edition in paperback of The Oxford Companion to Family and Local History, edited by David Hey. This book is available at the Sam Merrifield Local History Room LH 929.1072041 OXF

Family History Feast 2010 podcasts live on SLV website!!

2010-08-10T10:25:00.000+10:00

The podcasts of the annual SLV Family History Feast held on Monday 2 August 2010 are now available on the State Library website.

Essendon Historical Society's 40th Anniversary Dinner

2010-08-09T15:51:00.000+10:00

Professor Graeme Davison will be the guest Speaker at the anniversary dinner. Prof Davison is the Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor of History at Monash University and the author of 'The Rise and Fall of Marvellous Melbourne' and 'Car Wars'. Graeme grew up in Essendon and went to school at Aberfeldie Primary and Essendon High. His parents George and May were both involved in the EHS between 1979-1992. The dinner will be held at Gannawarra Convention Centre, Keilor Road, North Essendon, on Tuesday August 24th, 2010. Bookings and payments by August 15th please ring Essendon Historical Society on 9370 4607.

Heidelberg Stake Family History Centre - National Family History Week

2010-08-03T10:36:00.000+10:00

Family History Fair & Open Day

Saturday 7th August 2010

10am - 4pm

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

285 Heidelberg Road, Northcote

(entrance via Westgarth Street)

"Come and Search for your Ancestors"

Featuring

Britih Isles, Australian, Chinese, Scottish Family History, Pacific Islands Records, New Zealand, Computers, Film and Fiche Readers, Census, IGI, Family Search, New Family Search, Darebin Library, Old Period Costumes Display, Old Photography Display, Heritage Photography, How to Write your Family History and Publish It, FIBIS, Tour of Centre and Learn about the Heidelberg Family History Centre and its extensive Collection and Holdings, How to start Your Family History, Military Records, Find My Past, "Hit a Stone Wall Ask The Expert", Histories & Book Library, Children's Family History Activities and many more.

This is a Free Community Service.

Open to the Public

National Family History Week at the GSV

2010-08-03T10:04:00.001+10:00

August 4th 10.30am - 12 noon - Starting Your Family History. Topics include: Gathering family information, confirming and recording this information, using indexes to births, deaths and marriages, investigating other records including passenger lists, cemeteries, naturalizations, wills and inquests.

August 5th 2.00 - 3.00pm. - Using Archive Digital Books Australia. This class shows how to effectively search ADBA to fill out the details on your ancestors in Australia and elsewhere. It is a means of searching across many resources such as directories, Police & Government gazettes.

August 7th 11.00am - 12 noon. Using ScotlandsPeople. ScotlandsPeople is the official government source of genealogical data for Scotland. The class will cover: what records the site includes, how to register as a user, how to buy credits and how to make the best use of searching the site. FREE but bookings essential. Ph: 9662 4455 Fax: 9663 0841
Email: gsv@gsv.org.au Web: http://www.gsv.org.au/

10th Annual Fireside Reading - The Seven Ages of Man

2010-07-29T15:47:00.000+10:00

The Essendon Historical Society will be hosting their annual fireside reading on Saturday 31st July, 2010 commencing at 1.45pm, $10 admission, to support the restoration of the historic 120 year old Courthouse. Enjoy rehearsed readings from classic literature by experienced, costumed readers from the historical society. Enjoy the open fire, take in the ambience of the Old Courthouse by candlelight, afternoon tea included. Location 768 Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds, Phone 9370 4607.

Burke and Wills - 150th Anniversary

2010-07-29T14:44:00.000+10:00

Queens Park, Moonee Ponds is recognised as the site where Burke and Wills made camp on the first night of their fateful journey in 1860. In this year of the 150th anniversary The State Library of Victoria has an interesting collection of Burke and Wills material; and for those who think that they might have had family involved, note the sections Eager Explorers and Portraits with the list of applicants and participants. Wikipedia has many pages about the people involved. A search for 'Burke and Wills trail' at Picture Australia results in 12 images. There are more articles about the Expedition on the National Library of Australia's website: Historic Australian Newspapers, 1803 to 1854. Many celebrations are being planned for the 150th Anniversary and a good starting point to see what is planned is the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. The expedition is sponsored by the Royal Society of Victoria.

New Ancestry Database - New South Wales, Australia, Cowra Military Camps Personnel Photo Index, 1905-1970

2010-07-26T16:01:00.000+10:00

This data collection contains index of photographs taken of Armed Forces Personnel stationed at Cowra Camps and POW Camps during World War II. The indexes were made from images of over 4,000 of the soliders who trained at Cowra Military Camp prior to embarking for overseas during World War II.

New Local History Book

2010-07-20T15:49:00.000+10:00

A book on the history of St. Bernards College, Essendon has been added to the Sam Merrifield Local History Collection, titled 'Murphy's Lore and other stories' edited by Paul Kennedy Call No. LH 373.9451 MUR. The work comprises recollections of numerous former students and staff of, and others associated with, St. Bernard's College.

Exhibition: "Forgotten Faces"

2010-07-13T14:21:00.000+10:00

To coincide with our Chinese family history session the library will have on display the exhibition "Forgotten Faces: Chinese and the Law". This travelling set of displays has been put together by the Public Records Office and uses prison photographs and other documents from the late nineteenth century to tell the story of Chinese immigrants to Australia. The exhibition will be on display at the Sam Merrifield Library from the 26th July to the 18th August, 2010.

Getting started with Family History

2010-06-24T15:38:00.002+10:00

Starting out on your family history work backwards from the known (yourself) to the unknown (forebears). Fitting all the pieces together so that they fall into place, you need to work methodically and don't jump generations. Start by gathering together documentation of your own family, birth, death and marriage certificates, notices from newspapers, cemetery inscriptions, photos etc.

NEVER believe everything on a Birth, Death or Marriage certificate.

NEVER completely trust the spelling of surnames, places names etc. as transcriptions from original documents can be difficult to read and result in incorrect information being copied.

ALWAYS check surname variants when researching.

ALWAYS have at least two separate sources of proof for each event.

REMEMBER that everything is only speculation until vertified.

ALWAYS photocopy certificates and important documents and leave the originals in a safe place.

NEVER carry original documents around with you.

Information is not all on-line, there are lots of tantalising leads on the net, but you also need the assistance of visiting a Family History Group, Genealogical Society or Historical Society to look at original documents. Obtain a blank pedigree chart. Free downloadable and printable charts are available from Family Search and Ancestry Library Edition websites.

SHARE your information and documentation (copies only) with other researchers.

The National Library of Australia database TROVE - Treasures of the National Library is useful for searching family and local history. A search for Sam Merrifield as Keyword, selecting Australian content turned up 207 results in Australian newspapers (1803-1954), Books, journals, magazines, articles 10 results, Diaries, letters, archives 3 results and Archived websites (1996 - now) 60 sites.

Chinese Family History

2010-06-24T15:38:00.001+10:00

The Chinese presence and influence in Australia has a history dating from the 1750's and probably earlier. With the discovery of gold in Victoria and the lure of wealth and prosperity; combined with the environmental, political and economic conditions in China which lead to an increase in the Chinese population from the 1850's reaching approximately 50,000. At the same time from the 1850's there was pressure on the Government to restrict the number of Chinese coming to Australia which resulted in the Immigration Restriction Act 1901. Despite the introduction of this Act the Chinese community participated in the celebrations held in Melbourne for the opening of the first Federal Parliament. The Argus gives a lively report on the Chinese procession at the opening of the first Federal Parliament. The Chinese continued travelling to and from Australia for business and family connections, however the Chinese population fell from about 35,000 in 1901 to under 10,000 in 1947. During the 1950's and 60's there was a gradual easing of the Immigration Restriction Act and by the 1990's there were approximately 450,000 people of Chinese background in Australia.

For more information about Chinese History and Culture visit these websites.

Chinese Heritage of Australian Federation
Chinese Museum
Chinese Genealogy
Finding Chinese family connections in the National Archives.

Blog
The Tiger's Mouth

Findmypast - Special World Cup offer

2010-06-15T15:33:00.000+10:00

When England play, you don't pay: 30 minutes before each England game kicks off, all the records on findmypast.co.uk will be free to view for 3 hours. It's simple - just register and start viewing. You can view original images and transcriptions of all their records for free including birth, marriage and death records 1538-2006, census records including the 1911 census and the Chelsea Pensioners British Army Service Records 1760-1913, just a few of their records.

State Library of Victoria Family History Blog

2010-06-11T10:09:00.000+10:00

The State Library of Victoria has a new website and a new blog Family Matters, subscribe and keep up to date with all the latest news about family history. The annual Family History Feast 2010 organised by the State Library of Victoria will be held on Monday the 2nd August from 10am to 4pm; among the organisations giving presentations on the day will be the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, the Public Records Office Victoria, the National Archives of Australia (Victorian Office) and the Victorian Association of Family History Organisations and the State Library of Victoria. The Don Grant Lecture will be given this year by Professor Geoffrey Blainey on Victoria in the 19th Century : everyday life and family history. Bookings open on Tuesday 15th June, 2010.

1901 Census of Ireland

2010-06-08T12:30:00.001+10:00

The 1901 census of Ireland (index and images) from the National Archives Ireland has been made available for free.