Moonee Valley Family & Local History Blog

This week the National Library of Australia hosted an excellent online seminar on researching Chinese-Australian family history Their presentation was a gold-mine of information, with many tips that are applicable more widely to researching ancestors from other non-English speaking backgrounds. Here are a few of my top take-aways from the session: - Keep a file of name variations for each of your ancestors in cases where name variations are likely - When struggling with researching ancestors from a particular time and place with which you are unfamiliar, check the Family Search website for tips. They have dedicated pages providing specific research tips for various times and places around the world. - For Asian-Australian Ancestors who travelled back and forth from Australia the Records of Exemption from the Dictation Test Certificates database created by CAFHOV is very useful: https://www.cafhov.com/vic-cedt-index/ Above: screenshot of part of the ...

Bookings open today for the Family History Feast at State Library of Victoria. Be quick to secure your space at this great, free event for family history researchers. See the program online, and book at: https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/family-history-feast

The wonderful Trove has recently added a great new resource: the Commonwealth of Australia Government Gazette from 1901-1957 is now available, and is even fully text searchable. A notice advising of the retirement of a postmistress from Flemington The Gazettes publicized a broad range of governmental administrivia as it happened, creating fascinating snapshots of the workings of the Australian federal government. And as they are text searchable they could be an interesting source for family history. Government appointments are listed, as well the results of public service exams and the names of people taking out Australian citizens, so there is great potential to find out a little more about the lives and work of any ancestors who had interactions with the Australian government. You'll find all kinds of notices: tender statements, governmental appointments, colonial despatches and legal decisions.

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.