Society journals are a fabulous source of historical information. Not only do they have articles on family histories, and local history, but also photographs, book reviews, shipping lists, cemetery records, news about the Society, as members interest lists and so much more. Archive Digital Books Australasia have digitised a number of journals from Australian Genealogy and Historical Societies …

Entries for the 13th Victorian Community History Awards are now open. This is an opportunity for your Society, Group or other community organisation (or yourself as an individual) that is involved in preserving Victoria’s history and heritage, to be involved and receive some recognition for your efforts.

Published in 1943 during WWII, the ‘Australian Soldiers’ Pocket Book’ this pocket-sized, and designed to be carried everywhere, it provided Australian soldiers with a wide range of useful information. Arabic and Japanese words, first aid for gas injuries, signaling, conduct overseas …

This is a call to all Genealogy, History & Heritage Vendors & Organisations. We’ve all been to events where you sign in, and get given your free goodie bag. The fun part is finding out all the stuff that’s included. The registration kit is an opportunity for vendors, authors and organisations in the genealogy or history community to get your product or services noticed by others …

Ancestry.com.au wish to be there to help you, so they have increased the hours their expert advisers are available to take your calls. Their helpline will now be open 7 days a week.

The quantity of Australian genealogy records online continues to grow, and Ancestry.com.au has contributed to that with their recent additions of destitute children from the Randwick Asylum and New South Wales Publicans’ Licences …

Winter is has arrived, which makes for a good time to sit in front of the heater (or fire) with a hot drink and the read the June issue of the Australian Family Tree Connections magazine … Mining ancestors, photo collections, Clan MacThomas and more are all covered in this issue

News just in is that the NSW Registry has removed the wildcard search facility from the their interenet index search. This is bad news for all researchers, which of course includes family historians. Ann could be listed as Ann, Anne or Annie. With the wildcard the search provided a search for Ann* and it would bring up all possibilties …

It’s the end of May already, and as expected HEAPS of stuff has been happening in the genealogy and history scene around this country. This month we have snippets on the histories of water skiing and a hospital, repairs of pioneers graves, a colonial buildings exhibition, tours, school anniversaries, the opening of a new family history centre, reunions, and a new interest group … oh, and don’t forget the gold coins that have just been discovered.

Obituaries are a goldmine of information for genealogists, as they contain a wealth of information about your family. Obituaries Australia is a new website of obituaries published in newspapers, journals, magazines and bulletins. These contain the life stories of Australians from the earliest times to the present.

Highlights from our Victorian Genealogy & History range of books, maps, CDs & Scrapbooking. Remember our great heritage with these.

It’s been a busy time recently for Unlock the Past, and their publications list continues to grow. This month we’ve already seen the release of three new titles added to the Unlock the Past range … Scottish, German and Australian military are all covered.

Issue 4 of Inside History magazine has just hit the shelves, and in this May/June edition you’ll find: that we celebrate Australia’s first superstar – Dame Nellie Melba! Learn how to find an elusive maiden name, discover how to get more out of death certificates, and we find out that state teachers’ records can be a genealogy goldmine, and read about the mythical monsters that scared our ancestors silly …