It is true that Australia seems to be behind the rest of the world (well, the US and UK) as far as getting family history data online. But it is coming, bit-by-bit.

This is a listing of new ‘Australian’ data added on to these online data websites recently.

ANCESTRY.COM.AU
Ancestry.com.au continue to add to their collection, by adding the following:
New South Wales, Australia, Applications and Admissions to Orphan Schools, 1817-1833

ANCESTRY WORLD ARCHIVE PROJECT
The World Archive Project, is a division of Ancestry.com which “lets you help us bring free historical record collections to the public. Contributors become the first to see new collections as they type in information that creates searchable record indexes.”  Keep an eye on this site, or better yet, register as an indexer, as there are LOTS of Australian records being worked on here. And the sooner they’re indexed, the sooner everyone has access.

AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPERS (NLA and TROVE)
The availability of the Australian newspapers continues at an amazing speed (though no doubt, just the one we want isn’t yet online!!), but still to even have these coming is a phenomenal resource for all. These newspapers appear both on the NLA Australian Newspapers website, as well as on TROVE.
Camperdown Chronicle (Vic, 1877-1954)
- From 1880-12-03 to 1882-04-29
- From 1883-12-01 to 1885-05-30
- From 1899-09-02 to 1900-08-30
- From 1903-07-02 to 1904-02-27
- From 1908-03-03 to 1908-10-31
- From 1911-07-01 to 1914-01-31
- From 1914-10-01 to 1915-05-29
- From 1917-06-02 to 1918-04-20
- From 1919-05-01 to 1919-12-30
- From 1931-07-02 to 1931-12-31
- From 1936-01-04 to 1937-06-29
- From 1940-07-02 to 1940-12-31
- From 1942-01-06 to 1942-12-29
- From 1953-01-06 to 1953-12-29

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA, 1889-1931)
- From 1870-01-01 to 1871-12-30
- From 1889-04-01 to 1890-03-31
- From 1891-04-01 to 1892-03-31
- From 1892-04-01 to 1893-03-31
- From 1893-04-01 to 1895-03-30

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic, 1848-1954)
- From 1951-01-01 to 1951-04-30
- From 1954-01-01 to 1954-04-30
- From 1954-05-01 to 1954-12-31

The Mercury (Hobart, Tas, 1860-1954)
- From 1921-01-01 to 1921-12-31
- From 1922-01-02 to 1922-08-31
- From 1922-09-01 to 1925-06-30
- From 1927-10-01 to 1928-03-31
- From 1928-10-01 to 1929-03-29
- From 1929-04-01 to 1929-09-30
- From 1932-07-01 to 1933-12-30
- From 1934-01-01 to 1934-09-29
- From 1936-03-02 to 1936-08-31
- From 1937-03-01 to 1937-08-31
- From 1938-03-01 to 1948-06-30
- From 1949-01-01 to 1949-04-30
- From 1949-05-02 to 1949-12-31
- From 1950-01-02 to 1950-12-30
- From 1951-09-01 to 1952-04-30

The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld, 1866-1939)
- From 1884-01-05 to 1884-12-27
- From 1897-05-01 to 1897-12-25
- From 1906-09-01 to 1907-04-27
- From 1908-09-05 to 1909-04-24
- From 1914-01-03 to 1914-12-26
- From 1916-01-01 to 1916-04-26
- From 1916-05-06 to 1916-12-30
- From 1920-01-03 to 1920-12-25
- From 1924-01-05 to 1924-12-27
- From 1925-01-03 to 1925-12-26
- From 1927-01-01 to 1927-12-29
- From 1937-01-07 to 1937-12-29

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW, 1842-1954)
- From 1879-07-26 to 1880-03-12
- From 1880-10-28 to 1883-02-12
- From 1885-04-20 to 1886-03-31
- From 1886-09-27 to 1898-10-31
- From 1899-05-25 to 1907-07-20
- From 1908-01-13 to 1913-02-07
- From 1913-07-01 to 1913-11-19
- From 1916-01-26 to 1916-07-08
- From 1929-07-29 to 1929-11-12
- From 1930-04-07 to 1931-02-28
- From 1932-01-01 to 1933-02-28
- From 1943-01-01 to 1945-06-30
- From 1946-01-01 to 1946-04-30
- From 1946-09-02 to 1948-03-31
- From 1949-03-01 to 1949-08-31
- From 1951-09-01 to 1951-12-31

The West Australian (Perth, WA, 1879-1954)
- From 1901-03-05 to 1901-11-26
- From 1901-11-27 to 1902-08-13
- From 1903-05-06 to 1903-12-31
- From 1904-09-14 to 1906-07-07
- From 1906-11-01 to 1906-12-28
- From 1936-02-29 to 1936-05-15

FAMILY HISTORY SA
Family History SA, which is a site dedicated to South Australian records has recently added the following to their colelction:
South Australian Births 1836-54

FAMILY TREE OZ
This is a site dedicated to scanning old books, and publishing them online for free.
South Australian Motor Vehicle Registrations 1906-1920
Wise’s Tasmania Post Office Directory 1945-1946

FAMILYSEARCH
The FamilySearch Pilot Site continues to grow, and although not currently focussing on Australian records, the following has recently been added:
Australia, NSW and ACT, Masonic Lodge Card Indexes 1831-1930 (images only)
Australia, NSW and ACT, Masonic Lodge Registers 1831-1930 (images only)

QUEENSLAND STATE ARCHIVES
The Queensland State Archives has a long list of newly added records to their collection, you can see it here.

THE SHIPS LIST
Passengers:
– barque August, from Hamburg, to Port Adelaide 9th May 1855
– barque Johann Caesar, from Hamburg, to Port Adelaide 1st January 1855
– barque Wilhelmine, from Bremen, to Port Adelaide 1st October 1855
– ship Australia, from Hamburg, to Port Adelaide 4th March 1855
– ship Grand Trianon, from Liverpool to Port Adelaide 23rd April 1860
– ship La Rochelle, from Hamburg, to Port Adelaide 3rd September 1855
– ship Peter Goddefroy, from Hamburg, to Port Adelaide 18th November 1855

Happy searching … and keep an eye online for more good Australian data to come!!

Continuing on in my updates of news from primarily regional (but not exclusively) Australian genealogy, history and heritage groups. This covers  news from any group, society, museum, archive office throughout Australia. Some of the following news articles have been submitted to us, while others have been found from websites, newspapers and other articles.

We love promoting genealogy and history throughout Australia and the smaller groups are just as important as the big state societies. So if you have news, events, need for help or donations, or have a request – please advise, we’d love to hear.

AUSTRALIA
Mostly Unsung – Military Research and Publications
Mostly Unsung provides a unique research facility into Australian military history from the First Fleet to the present day. The owners of Mostly Unsung, Neil and Sylvie Smith also undertake British military research at The National Archives, Kew, London on a regular basis. The next visit is planned for August 2010. Research tasks are welcome. The rate for a typical research task for a World War One or 19th century British service person is a very reasonable $70 maximum – payable on completion. More information is on the Mostly Unsung website.

NEW SOUTH WALES
Wentworth – Wentworth Public School 150th Anniversary
Wentworth Public School’s 150th birthday celebrations proved to be a huge success over the  June long weekend. The celebration saw about 500 past students and teachers commemorate the milestone three day. Visitors were treated to dinners, heritage displays, performances and old time games as part of the celebration. Principal Warren Davies said the event was a great success and they were looking into holding more reunions. The full article can be read here.

QUEENSLAND
Toowoomba – Toowoomba and Darling Downs Family History Society
The Toowoomba and Darling Downs Family History Society have produced two very popular Biographical Pioneer Register series. They are now about to be expanded to a new Edition which will cover the time period up to 1920, and are calling for submissions from members of the Society and the wider community. Do you have family from the Downs who settled here before 1920? If so, you are welcome to submit details by 17th December 2010. You can find out more information about this, including an index to those already in Vol 1 and 2 on the Society’s blog.

Townsville – Furber Family Reunion
Anyone who is related to the Furber family in anyway is invited to the Furber Family Reunion. It is being held on 18-19 September 2010 at Tom’s Tavern, 186 Nathan Street, Aitkenvale (Townsville), Qld. It is 22 years since the last one was help so it is said this is ‘long overdue”. For more information contact Rowena on (07) 4941 5268 , Kaylene (07) 4778 0035 or Rose-Maree (07) 4776 0001. Or if your are on Facebook RSVP to the Furber Family Reunion event.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Cudlee Creek – Millbrook Primary School Closure
Sad news has been reported in the local “Courier” newspaper about the little Millbrook Primary School which has been running for 131 years, will be closing its doors at the end of 2010, due to lack of enrolments. The school Principal, Sam Stamos said the end of the year would feature an appropriate celebration to say goodbye to the school, which has survived the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and the flooding of the Millbrook township for the reservoir.

Moonta – Horn’s Re-enactment
The Yorke Peninsula Country Times recently reported on a symbolic re-enactment of William Horn’s horse ride from the Copper Coast to Adelaide on 2 June 1861, to lodge a claim for the Moonta Mines copper mining lease for W.W. Hughes. This re-enactment took place as part of the Copper 150 Sesquicentenary. After breakfast at Queen Square in Moonta which included being presented with a scroll which was handed to Adelaide Lord Mayor Michael Harbison at the end of the ride. More can be read about the re-enactment online.

Northfield – Ross Smith Secondary School Closure
The Ross Smith Secondary School will no longer exist as from 2011, and memorabilia is being sought from their past students and also students of Nailsworth and Northfield High Schools and Technical Schools. Items such as photographs, trophies, uniforms, workbooks etc. are what the Enfield Heritage Museum are looking for to set up a display. If you would like to donate, lend or allow to be photographed any items please contact Ian McColl by phone (08) 8261 7544 or email: ian.mccoll@rosssmith.sa.edu.au.

Port Adelaide – South Australian Maritime Museum
The Port Adelaide Heritage Project reported that in April/May 2010 archaeologists excavated several small trenches in the basement of the South Australian Maritime Museum. Part of the reason for this was to investigate and record details of the construction of the museum, and also search for artefacts that relate to its past function and use. The museum building was constructed as two separate buildings, one in 1854 the other in 1857, and they are among the oldest buildings at the Port. They were used to store good that had arrived on board ships. The full article about the excavation can be found on page 12 of the Port Adelaide Heritage Project [PDF link]

South Australia – Queen’s Birthday Honours
June 14th is an important day not only as that is the day Australia celebrates the Queen’s Birthday, but also because that is the day when Australians across the nation who have made a significant difference to their communities get recognition. Along with the 600+ people who were recognised are the following two (I know there are many more who deserve mentioning though).

Wayne Stidston PSM (Public Service Medal)
As the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) commemoration and project officer, Mr Stidston created the Adelaide Memorial Walk in 2003 to guide students and teachers around 11 of Adelaide’s city war memorials. The walk ends inside the National State War Memorial and highlights the 5500 South Australian’s who died in World War I. Stidston’s commitment to developing commemorative activities for the DVA was recognised with a Public Service Medal as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

John Dnistriansky (Medal of the Order of Australia)
John Dnistriansky’s earliest memories are of the sea voyage from Europe to Australia in 1949 when he was just 5. Born in Germany to Ukrainian parents, Mr Dnistriansky, now 65 says “my parents gave me the love of the Ukraine even though I wasn’t born there … Ukrainian history and culture are very important to me.” He is the president of the Association of Ukraines in South Australia, and has revived the Ukrainian Community Language School from just a handful of students to 50, as well as organising events which incorporates their traditional culture. As acknowledgement for his services to the Ukrainian community, Mr Dnistriansky was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

TASMANIA
Campbell Town – Richardson Family Reunion
More than 200 years of Richardson family history came together at a reunion held at Campbell Town, Tasmania in June. Isaac Richardson and his brother Simeon were transported to Van Diemens Land in 1831 as Swing Rioters, before setting up their lives at Campbell Town. Fourth-generation descendent Beverley Richardson said more than 200 people took part in the reunion, with people coming from every corner of the country. Family members were asked to bring historic items relating to the family. “One of the things I liked the most was a set of paintbrushes that belonged to one of the descendants on the first family line … they were used by a father and grandfather to paint carriages in the early 1900s, and the pair went on to make cars.” A book compiled by Mrs Richardson was also launched during the reunion, detailing the history of the family. The full report is on the Northern Midland News website.

Port Arthur – Port Arthur Historic Site
Congratulations must go to the Port Arthur Historic Site as it has been honoured with one of Australia’s leading awards for the third year in succession. The Site was named ‘Australian Gourmet Traveller’ Magazines’ Best Heritage Experience at a ceremony held late May. You can read the report online on the Gourmet Traveller site.

VICTORIA
Ngallo – Ngallo Football and Netball Club Reunion
The Ngallo Football and Netball Club is celebrating 100 years with a reunion on 31st July and 1st August 2010. Match, dinner dance and raising of the time capsule, together with a book launch is all part of the weekends activities. More information from Aaron Oakley on mobile: 0418 820 632 or email: aaronoak@bigpond.net.au.

Australia as we know it today is divided into States and Territories, but prior to Federation in 1901, each State was it’s own Colony (well almost).

Back in the 1800s the various ‘colonies’ of Australia, were divided into Counties, Hundreds and Districts, many of which are no longer in use today.

This atlas, compiled by H.S. Carroll in 1876, was the first of its kind ever produced in the Colony, and was thoroughly authentic at the date of publication. It shows all boroughs, postal towns, villages, hamlets, road boards, roads, railways, rivers, lakes, creeks, mountains, stations and the area of county and station (including the names, occupiers, grazing capabilities and area of each).

It also includes the population of each town in the colony, height of mountains, length, rise, and fall of rivers, the quantity of cereals and green crops, hay, wine, &c., produced in the different localities, and all the geographical, geological, and physiological matter of South Australia and the Northern Territory at the time.

Included are 26 full colour maps compiled from plans in the Lands Department by permission of the Surveyor General.

This atlas was to ‘be found eminently useful … as the best means of furnishing the rising generation of the Colony with a thorough geographical knowledge of South Australia and the Northern Territory’.

An amazing reference work for anyone with an interest in both the history and geography of South Australia and the Northern Terrirory.

This title is available in both book form (large format A3 landscape size), and on CD-ROM.

South Australian Counties Atlas 1876 (book) – $49.50
South Australian Counties Atlas 1876 (CD) – $29.50

While Australia is a little behind the rest of the world in online genealogy content, it is coming bit-by-bit, and as some significant databases have gone online recently I thought I would make mention of it – just in case you missed them.

FAMILYSEARCH
In amongst the 300 million new records that FamilySearch added to their Pilot Site a few weeks ago, were:
Australia Births and Baptisms 1792-1981
Australia Deaths and Burials 1816-1980

ANCESTRY
Ancestry.com.au continue to add to their collection, by adding the following:
Queensland, Australia, Passenger Lists, 1848-1912
Western Australia Post Office Directory 1910
Western Australia Post Office Directory 1926

FAMILY HISTORY SA
While not new, the following from Family History SA have been updated and extended:
South Australian Cemeteries Burials now includes Nailsworth North Road Anglican Cemetery – up to 1900
South Australian District Constables 1853 to 1920
South Australian Marriages 1836 to 1855
South Australian Naturalizations
South Australian Police 1838 to 1920

BDM REGISTRARS
New South Wales Births, Deaths & Marriages
This index contains the births, deaths and marriage recorded in New South Wales between the years: births 1788-1909, deaths 1788-1979, and marriages 1788-1959.

Queensland Births, Deaths & Marriages
Index records are available for births registered up to and including 1914, deaths registered up to and including 1964 and marriages registered up to and including 1934.

Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages
The Historical Index contains entries relating to births in Victoria from 1853 to 1908, marriages in Victoria from 1853 to 1942, deaths in Victoria from 1853 to 1985, and church baptisms, marriages and burials in Victoria from 1836 to 1853.

Western Australian Births, Death & Marriages
Free online searching of Western Australian birth, death and marriage indexes is available for the following ranges of years: Births 1841 to 1932, Deaths 1841 to 1965, and Marriages 1841 to 1936.

Happy searching … and keep an eye online for more good Australian data to come!!

So much happens throughout the year, not just in the cities and large populated regions, but in the smaller regional towns as well. Many of these places have genealogy groups or historical societies which are set up to preserve the history of the town and pioneer settlers.

This is a small post to keep you informed of some of the happenings in the country regions of South Australia.

Clare Regional History Group – Clare
The ‘Northern Argus’ newspaper recently reported that the Clare Regional History Group received a book to help them stage a memorabilia display of bicycles and cycling in the district for the Tour Down Under, as the Lions Club of Clare presented the group with $250 for the display. While this isn’t mentioned on their website, you can find more about the Group there.

Gumeracha and Distrist History Centre – Gumeracha
The Gumeracha Historical Trail was featured in a recent episode of Postcards. Created using the help of members from the Gumeracha and District History Centre, this highlights the history that is around the town, and is an excellent way to learn about its past. For SA History Week, the History Centre will be holding an open day on Tuesday May 25th 2010, 9 a.m. -  7 p.m. Situated in the Civic Centre, Albert Street, Gumeracha. More details can be found of their website.

Mount Horrocks Historical Society – Watervale
A new history room has been opened by the Mount Horrocks Historical Society in a second room at the Watervale Institite building. Also the Mount Horrocks Historical Society is participating in SA History Week, and will have several events this year. Informaion on these can be found on their website.

If you have any information relating to History Groups, Museums or Genealogy Societies that you would like mentioned, please send and email to Alona (alona@gould.com.au), and we’d be happy to do so.

We announced back in February 2010 about the possibility of getting a Family Tree Maker User Group up and running in South Australia. Today’s post is an update on this.

The Adelaide Northern Districts Family History Group have agreed to host the meetings at their Salisbury premises. Peter Applebee the President of the group has just sent out advice of their first Family Tree Maker User Group meeting:

… next Saturday the 17th of April is our gathering to attempt to set up a Family Tree Maker User Group here in South Australia. For those that are still interested or are new to this list, we have scheduled a start time of 2.00 pm. But I shall be there from about 1.30pm. I will open the full museum up for those who wish to browse the exhibits while they wait.

The address for the group is The Salisbury TAFE Heritage Centre, (Old Police Station), 3 Ann Street, Salisbury.

If you would like more informtion about the Adelaide Northern Districts Family History Group you can find them on the web or send them an email: andfhg@yahoo.com.au.

It has been mentioned in passing that Salisbury is too far for some people to attend. If  this is the case, and you would like to be involved or host a group in your area, please send an email to Alona at alona@gould.com.au (please include your name and area). Please note, there is no guarantee that any more FTM SA groups will be started, but the more interest we get, the more likely it is to happen.

Gould Genealogy would like to wish ANDFHG all the very best for their first FTM User Group meeting next week.

Finally we have some good news about the ‘proposed’ closure of the National Archives of Australia Offices in South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania.

MEDIA RELEASE – Tuesday 23 February 2010
The Rudd Government today announced the National Archives of Australia will maintain face-to-face services in Adelaide.

Australia’s National Archives play a vital role in keeping the political,
social and cultural history of Australia alive,” the Minister with
responsibility for the National Archives, Senator Joe Ludwig, said.

“The Rudd Government has listened to community concerns and today I can
announce that the Government will keep the Adelaide office open until a
suitable co-location arrangement can be made.”

“Instead of closing the Adelaide office, the Government will move to
co-locate with similar institutions,” Ms Ellis said.

“This will enable the National Archives to continue to provide high quality
services in Adelaide for all South Australians,” the Member for Port
Adelaide, Mark Butler said.

“This is a good outcome for South Australia. In particular, the Adelaide
office has an important role to play in assisting South Australians in their
search for Colonial papers and migrant arrivals as well as maritime and
migrant arrival information.”

“Co-location will help put the National Archives on a sustainable footing
for the long term, while maintaining face-to-face services in South
Australia,” the Member for Makin, Tony Zappia said.

“Last financial year there were only 720 visits to the Adelaide reading room
compared to 22,290 visits nationally, while more than 1.9 million records
were accessed online.”

Similar arrangements will be put in place in Darwin and Hobart, and the
Government will encourage other National Archives offices to consider
options for co-location.”

In response the Australian Society of Archivists (ASA) have issued the following:

MEDIA RELEASE – Tuesday 23 February 2010
The ASA National President, Jackie Bettington, said today “We applaud the announcement today that the National Archives of Australia (NAA) will be retaining a presence in Darwin, Adelaide and Hobart. This has come as a result of significant pressure from the public, archivists, politicians (of all political persuasions), academics, journalists and historians. This is a real reminder to all governments across Australia that Archives do indeed matter”.

“Today can be viewed as a celebration of the passion of South Australian’s for their history and for the original records that document that history” added Kylie Percival, South Australian Branch State Convenor.

Thank you everyone who showed your support. I have no doubt that without us all having a voice and raising it, these Offices would have closed and the loss of easy access to these records would have gone with them, so THANK YOU!

There has been some mentions of the planned closure of the National Archives of Australia offices in Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin, but it would seem that many still haven’t heard about it.

So to keep you informed, Graham Jaunay has done a lengthy article this topic in his latest newsletter, and due to the response received subsequently has sent out a supplementary newsletter.

John Bannon (former SA premier and historian) was on ABC radio last night speaking against the NAA closure. Both he and Alexander Downer have had substantial articles in the Advertiser here.

If you are opposed to the closure of these NAA Offices, please do what you can to get it known … sign a petition, write a letter to your councillor. If you’re a Facebook’er join the “Save the NAA” Cause or the “Against the Closure of the National Archives of Australia SA NT and TAS” Group.

Please spread the word about this, we need everyone to know that it is wrong to close these offices …

UPDATE – 23 February 2010
NAA Offices in Darwin, Hobart and Adelaide staying open

Last week in our newsletter we made a call for expressions of interest in Family Tree Maker user groups around Australia.

From our feedback there are a few people in Adelaide who would be interested in getting a Family Tree Maker User Group started. While we did have some response from our newsletter entry – it is not enough to warrant starting a group at this stage … so if you would be interested “please do let us know”, otherwise it may not happen.

You can send a email to Alona at alona@gould.com.au, or otherwise phone advising of your interest (08) 8396 1110.

Apart from more interest in a group, it will also need someone who is reasonably familiar with the program to demonstrate it to others. You don’t have to be an expert, just someone that knows their way around it reasonably well. If this is you please contact Alona at the above details.

We would love to see a User Group start up. These are important as you can learn lots about the software and also family history in general from interaction with others who are using the same program.

One thing Australia doesn’t have is a single place to look for a burial. As there are numerous groups and individuals doing a wonderful job of photographing and transcribing our cemeteries, much of what would have otherwise been lost, we have compiled a listing of some of those that you can find online.

This is far from being a complete list of those currently available, but it is the start of a list which we aim to continue adding to.

Australia
Australian Cemeteries
Australian Cemetery Index
CoraWeb cemetery list
German Headstones in Australia
Internment for Australia
OzBurials
OzGen Online

Australian Capital Territory
Canberra’s Public Cemeteries

New South Wales
All Cemeteries in the Hunter Valley
Australian Cemetery Index
Cemeteries in Shoalhaven
Hawkesbury Cemetery Register
Milton Ulladulla Cemeteries
Newcastle Cemetery
Rookwood Anglican and General Cemetery
Wononora Cemetery and Crematorium

Queensland
Brisbane City Council Cemeteries and Crematoriums
South-East Queensland Cemeteries

South Australia
Cemeteries of South Australia
Cemeteries and Burial Places in South Australia
Centennial Park
Family History SA
Flinders Ranges Research
Forever Remembered
Grave Secrets
South Australian Cemeteries (& a few others)

Tasmania
Genealogical Photography Tasmania
Graves of Tasmania
Headstones from Cemeteries of Tasmania
Millington’s Southern Cemeteries
North-West Coast of Tasmania

Victoria
Ballarat Genealogy Society
Bendigo Cemeteries Trust
Cemeteries of South West Victoria
Deniliquin Genealogy Society
Fawkner Crematorium and Memorial Park
Glen Wills Cemetery
Necropolis Deceased Search

Western Australia
Lakes Memorial Park Cemetery
Metropolitan Cemeteries Board
Mid-West Cemeteries
Swan Genealogy

If you wish to advise of other sites that you’d like added to this list, please send an email to inquiries@gould.com.au.