Moonee Valley Family & Local History Blog

Moonee Valley Libraries' Family History Group will hold their last meeting for 2017 on Tuesday 5th December, 1-3pm, at Sam Merrifield Library. FHG Meetings for 2018 will recommence on Tuesday 6th February, at the same time and place. All our family history resources, like the Digger indexes, Find my Past, Ancestry, various microfiches and films and much, much more, remain accessible as usual. Feel free to continue to visit us at the usual time (or any other time we're open) if you wish. The Family History Group is open to new members, with any level of experience. Just drop in on a Tuesday at Sam Merrifield between 1-3pm, or speak to staff about having your name added to the mailing list.  

Still looking to learn more about your family history now that Family History Month is over? The Moonee Valley Libraries Family History Group might be the perfect place to come and learn how to solve those hard to figure out family links and road blocks. Members of the Family History Group during their anniversary celebration. Having just celebrated it's second year the group is continuing to attract new members, but they are always looking for more. With guest speakers and trips to help teach you how to find out more about your past, the Family History Group is a lot of fun. Meetings take place weekly on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at the Sam Merrifield Library, 762 Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039.

August is National Family History Month and to celebrate all things Family History were running a number of events. With most events free, there has never been a better time to discover more about your families past. Events this year include: Family history online: Begin investigating your own family history with this introduction to the online databases Ancestry, Find My Past and Trove. Learn the skills and techniques needed to discover the details of your family’s past. Free session Sessions: Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre Friday 12 August, 9.30am-11am To book call 8325 1940 or click here Niddire Library Thursday 18 August, 2pm-4pm To book call 8325 1925 or click here Stories from an Italian family cookbook Laurie and Hilda Inglese talk about traditional Italian cooking from the Abruzzo region and share family recipes handed down across generations. Includes live pasta making demonstration. Free session. ...

Image from Sam Merrifield Collection The Family History Group are back for 2016 and the first meeting is Tuesday 02/02/16 at the Sam Merrifield Library at 2:00pm.  Join with other people from the Moonee Valley area to discuss the shared joys and problems of researching  your own family history.  So come along and bring any genealogy questions you're having trouble with to hopefully get the answer you need.

As part of Family History Month 2015 the Moonee Valley Libraries Family History Group were asked to share some items and stories associated with them. These items hold significance for the stories they tell. They provide insight and helpful hints to those who wish to discover their own family history. This is the final of a three part display. A huge thank you to all the members of the group who helped with this project and to everyone who came out and viewed the installation.

As part of Family History Month 2015 the Moonee Valley Libraries Family History Group were asked to share some items and stories associated with them. These items hold significance for the stories they tell. They provide insight and helpful hints to those who wish to discover their own family history. This is part two of a three part display. A huge thank you to all the members of the group who helped with this project and to everyone who came out and viewed the installation.

As part of Family History Month 2015 the Moonee Valley Libraries Family History Group were asked to share some items and stories associated with them. These items hold significance for the stories they tell. They provide insight and helpful hints to those who wish to discover their own family history. This is part one of a three part display. A huge thank you to all the members of the group who helped with this project and to everyone who came out and viewed the installation.

Are you interested in learning about your past? If so come along to the Moonee Valley Libraries Family History Group on every Tuesday at the Sam Merrifield Library located at 762 Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039. The schedule for the next few weeks is: 13 October - Looking at Trove from the National Library of Australia as part of your family research 20 October - Peter Holloway talking about Heritage Publishing 27 October - Come in with any issues that you might be having with your research for other members of the group to have a look at. 3 November - Melbourne Cup Day (No Meeting) 10 November - David will be discussing Land Titles and history research So come along and uncover something new about your past!

Family history is more than just finding out names of those who came before you. It can also be about discovering connections to the past through sharing memories and experiences with others.   The Moonee Valley Libraries Family History Group has shared some of the items and stories that they have uncovered in their own family histories. These items hold significance for the stories they tell. They provide insight and helpful hints to those who wish to discover their own family history.   The installation will be running at the following times at the Sam Merrifield Library in Meeting Room Two:    Monday 17th August: Tuesday 18th August: Wednesday 19th August: Thursday 20th August: Friday 21st August: 5:00PM 3:00PM 12:00PM 10:00AM 12:00PM Monday 24th August: Tuesday 25th August: Wednesday 26th August: Thursday 27th August: Friday 28th August:   5:30PM 3:00PM 12:00PM 11:00AM 12:...

On Tuesday 4 August the Moonee Valley Library Family History Group celebrated their first anniversary with a tour of the Essendon Historical Society Museum. This rare visit allowed the group to view items in the Society's collection and to ask questions of one of their members. Members of the Moonee Valley Libraries Family History Group with Peter from the Essendon Historical Society. Photo courtesy of P. Haren, Family History Group.   If you are interested in joining in on the fun and learning more about your own past, come along to a Family History Group meeting which meets every Tuesday.   A huge thank you to the Essendon Historical Society for their support and help during the day.   Family History Group:   Where: Sam Merrifield Library, 762 Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039   When: Every Tuesday between 1:00pm and 3:00pm.   

So you’ve done your family history research. How do you now present the results?  Hazel Edwards is a writer who also teaches others how to write.   In this presentation she shares her skills in shaping stories. She will also outline strategies for interviewing relatives, shaping anecdotes, not just listing dates, structuring and publishing. She will also look at a variety of formats such as e-stories, photographic and audio stories. This is a great opportunity to learn how to leave a lasting legacy for a younger generation. For bookings click here When: Monday, 24 August 2015 from 7:00 PM Where: Sam Merrifield Library, 762 Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds, VIC 3039

Old and valuable photographs, letters and other objects fade and crumble over time. Find out how you can minimise this.  Debra Parry has gained extensive experience in preservation and conservation through her work at the National Archives of Australia, Heritage Victoria and the National Museum of Cambodia. In this presentation Debra will explain how materials deteriorate and how to minimise deterioration through appropriate storage handling and display. When: Tuesday 18 August, 6:30pm - 7:30pm Where: Flemington Library, 313 Racecourse Rd Flemington, VIC 3031 Book here

Want to find old death notices? What about information on who has lived in your house? The best place to find some information is on microfiche and film. In this crash-course you will find out what information is available on fiche and film and how to use the new reader to access it.   The Family History Group will also be on-hand to help answer your questions and find a way through your research hurdles.   Book Now!

Join the Family History Group in celebrating their first anniversary and Family History Month. Beginning with a tour of the Essendon Historical Society Museum, this is a great opportunity to meet others who share a passion for discovering their past while enjoying a celebratory afternoon tea. A gold coin donation is appreciated at the museum.   Book online at mooneevalleylibraries.eventbrite.com.au

Moonee Valley Libraries' Family History Group have held their last meeting for 2014. The first meeting for 2015 will be on Tuesday 13th January, 1-3pm, at Sam Merrifield Library. New members are always welcome - just drop in at the next meeting.

The first meeting of our new Family History Group, on Tuesday afternoon, was attended by 30 participants. The group decided on an ongoing meeting time of Tuesdays 1-3pm. These drop-in sessions will be held every week at Sam Merrifield Library, with no need for bookings. Each week the group will focus on a pre-determined topic for the first hour, and the second hour will be open for free discussion, chat and/or research. The discussion topics for the first 4 weeks are as follows: Week 1 (19 Aug): Show and tell: family heirlooms/quick stories Week 2 (26 Aug): Library resources for family history Week 3 (2 Sep): Dealing with brick walls in your research. What obstacles have you hit in your research? What tips do you have on overcoming “brick walls”? Week 4 (11 Sep): Tools for keeping track of your research. What tool/s do you use to record your research? Can be software/online or other methods (files/notebooks/other)? What are your tips, tricks or recommendations?

We're starting a Family History Group based at Sam Merrifield Library in Moonee Ponds. Come along for a family history themed afternoon, including the first meeting of the new group, on Tuesday 12th August. Plus, there will also be a session on Researching Scottish Family History running from 2-3pm, so you can make it a whole afternoon of family history. These events are both free, but bookings are necessary. Call 8325 1950 or book online at: mooneevalleylibraries.eventbrite.com.au