If you’ve been following my posts for a while you might remember a that I had been doing a series (generally once a month) on Australian History News. You can see those posts here. Rather than continue that series (at least at this stage) I thought I’d use some of the new tidbits I was finding together with news from the social media scene and put them together as ‘Snippets’.

So, welcome to my first post on Australian Genealogy and History Snippets. It’s not meant to be comprehensive in anyway, but rather it is bits that I’ve recently come across and would like to share with you.

BLOGS
Android Genealogy
If you are into genealogy, and have an android phone or tablet, you’ll be wanting to follow Jill Ball’s latest blog, as it is specific to Android genealogy and news.
http://androidgenealogy.blogspot.com/

Sticky Notes
Ancestry.com.au have recently launched their Sticky Notes blog. This is designed for you to share and discover stories. You can not only read the post they write, but also contribute by asking questions.
http://ancestry-stickynotes-au.tumblr.com/

GENERAL NEWS
Gympie, Queensland – Town turns 100
Gympie, the major settlement of the Local Government region, officially came of age when it was declared a city on this day [5 January] in 1905 – although no-one seemed to take much notice at the time. The town has done a lot better in marking the occasion on its 100th anniversary however. You can read the full article in The Gympie Times.

Naracoorte, South Australia – SA Firefighting History Preserved
Some of South Australia’s firefighting history may soon have a permanent base in the South East, offering the public a chance to view appliances and memorabilia and to learn about the history of the Country Fire Service. Naracoorte’s SA Volunteer Fire Fighters Museum Inc, formerly known as the SA Country Fire Service Heritage Committee, was founded in 2005 by a group of hardworking volunteers dedicated to restoring and preserving historic firefighting vehicles and equipment. The full article can be read in the Stock Journal.

Sydney, New South Wales – 180 Years of the Jewish in Australia
Sydney grandfather Joe Kensell is eagerly anticipating January 30 – it will be the 180th anniversary of Australia’s first officially sanctioned Jewish marriage – and the happy couple, Moses Joseph and Rosetta Nathan, were his great, great grandparents. Kensell, 73, of Five Dock, a stalwart of the Great Synagogue and a genealogy buff, told The AJN this week the date was historically significant as ‘it shows there’s definitely been 180 years of Jewish worship in Australia’. You can read the full article in the Australian Jewish News.

GROUPS
Family Tree Maker User Group East Brisbane, Queensland
A big thanks to Lyndall from GSQ for informing me of the FTM User Group that they hold. Details for the group are as follows:
Meetings for 2012:  15 January, 11 March, 8 July, 9 September, 11 November
Times:  10:30am to 12:00pm
Where:  38 Fisher Street, East Brisbane
Contact:  Genealogical Society of Queensland on (07) 3891 5085 or at gsq1@optusnet.com.au
Website:  www.gsq.org.au

SOCIAL MEDIA
Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia
Were your ancestors pioneers of the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia? Did they arrive between 1892 and 1902? Then join the new group on Facebook called the “Pioneer Association of the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia” and lets see how many pioneering families we have out there! http://www.facebook.com/groups/277882488933389/

Greenough Pioneer Museum, Western Australia
The Greenough Pioneer Museum which is 19km south of Geraldton in Western Australia is now on Twitter and has their own blog.
blog: http://www.greenough-pioneer-museum.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @GreenoughMuseum

Mackay North and Western Queensland Old Pics and Yarns
Another great site for sharing and learning about the history of the region is the Mackay North and Western Queensland Old Pics and Yarns Facebook page. You can find them at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mackay-North-and-Western-Queensland-Old-Pics-and-Yarns/271725352851414

Moonee Valley Family and Local History, Victoria
The Moonee Valley Library have a blog, and a Twitter account which they use to promote their family and local history collections.
blog: http://mooneevalleyfamilylocalhistory.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @mvlshistory

Prospect Local History Group, South Australia
The Prospect Local History Group in South Australia have joined Facebook to promote local and family history within the community and increase their digital collection. Keep up with the latest news from them by Liking them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/e.historyprospect

Yeppoon/Rockhampton/Central Queensland, Queensland
If you are a Facebooker, and have connections to this area, “Like” the ‘Yeppoon/Rockhampton/Central Queensland Old Pics and Yarns’ Facebook page, and share your knowledge of it’s history. You cand find them at: http://www.facebook.com/OLD.PICS.AND.YARNS. You can read the full article on the ABC Capricornia website.

NEW RELEASES
The Forgotten: Children in Homes, Reformatories and Industrial Schools, New South Wales – CD or BOOK
This is an index to various institutions relating to girls up to the age of 18 and young boys up to the age of 17. These children were either unable to look after themselves, were leading a troubled life or through no fault of their own were place in to care. The CD is $54 and book is $65 (inc postage), and both can be purchased from the Teapot Genealogy website.

Norfolk Island Deaths 1788 to 1814 – CD-ROM – Due March
News from Cathy at Australian History Research, is that she has a new CD-ROM due to be published in March 2012. The Norfolk Island Death 1788-1814 CD contains over 260 deaths during the first settlement of Norfolk Island, and includes complete details on each person and their family. It also includes some shipping records and photos of headstones. The Pre-publication special (for orders received by 15 February) is $28.00 (includes postage). The CD will be mailed in March 2012. You can buy online on her website http://www.australianhistoryresearch.info/norfolk-island-deaths-1788-to-1814/

WEBSITES
South Australian Local History Books
While browsing around online today I came across a website for South Australian local history. With a large collection of books, each has had index scanned and downloadable a a PDF so you can see if any contain info on your family members. Churches and Religious Orders in South Australia, Schools and Education, Places and towns in South Australia, Shipping in South Australia and Cemetery books are all listed.
http://localhistory.gravesecrets.net/index.html