Do you have European ancestors?

Come and look at a new resource on our intranet: 
Emigrants from Hamburg to Australasia 1850 – 1879

This database provides an index to 40,857 passengers departing from Hamburg for ports in Australia and New Zealand between 1850 and 1879. 

This is an important resource for family historians with an interest in migration from Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Italy and other European countries through the port of
Hamburg. It was published by the Queensland Family History Society.

It provides information such as name, former place of residence, age, occupation, ship, destination ad departure years.

Les, one of our members has recently donated a German/English dictionary and this will be a great help to the German SIG and other researchers. Thanks Les.

Please note, there is no German Research Special Interest Group in March.
The next meeting will be on Monday 14 April at 1.30pm in the KHS Research Rooms and this new resource will be demonstrated then.

Connect with your Convict Ancestors in our Rooms.

The Society received this notification from Find My Past.  This resource is available to members at no cost in our rooms.

Historical Photos on Flickr

Many museums, libraries and institutions share their collections of photographs on Flickr. These collections may be searched by keyword. Some of the photos are available for free download whilst others are subject to copyright restrictions. It is important to establish the copyright status of each image before using it.

Collections of relevance to New South Wales include:

The Australian Museum, 

Australian National Maritime Museum,

National Library of Australia,

Powerhouse Museum,  

State Library of NSW, 

State Records NSW.

Technology SIG 10 October 2013 - Notes

It is an absolute delight to work with the members who have attended our first two Technology Special Interest Group meetings. Their thirst for learning about technology and their enthusiasm is infectious.

For our second meeting we met with members of the Mac Special Interest Group with our main topic of discussion being Tech Gadgets. We endeavoured to look at and discuss a range of tech gadgets but our discussions often meandered to other Tech subjects. We agreed that these diversions were good because they discussed items of interest to those in attendance.

As promised I am circulating some notes with tips, resources and links discussed at our meeting last week. These items may be of interest to other members who could not join us.

All members are welcome to join us for our monthly meeting on the second Thursday at 1:30pm in the Society rooms.

1. Answers to questions  from previous meeting

A free tool that will allow one to clip part of a screen on a PC running Windows XP is http://www.screenclipper.com/

The site where the Mac Group's gadget man buys many of his tech toys is

http://estore.com.au

2. Main Topic: Gadgets

We looked at gadgets in a number of categories and discussed how we use them:

Cameras
Members use these types of cameras for taking photos of people, headstones and artifacts. They are also used to photograph documents and books in repositories.

• Point and Shoot - Advantages - light, easy to use, idiot proof, and many have image stabilisers
• Camcorder
• SLR - Heavy and cumbersome but with great image quality
• 4/3 - A bit smaller than an SLR, has good image quality.

  
  

  TIP: When purchasing cameras buy one which allows use of the Macro feature (super close up for small items) without a flash.

Phones and Accessories

Members wanted to know what differentiates a smartphone from a tablet.

Phones have screens up to about 5 inches in size.  Tablets have screens from 7 inches up in size.
Tablets and phones can be used for similar functions although size will influence how easy it is to use them.

Members suggested that a free Mirror app and a free Torch app are useful additions to one's collection of apps.

The iPhone to iPad connector kit ($39 Apple store) facilitates transferring photos.

Battery extenders, available for iPhones and Androids help you use your device longer and extend the time until you have to connect to your battery charger.

The Camscanner app (for iDevice or Android) enables one to scan images to one's phone or tablet and was highly recommended. https://www.camscanner.net/

Never pay full price for a iTunes Card. Jackie suggests using  giftcardsonsale.com.au to search for bargain iTunes cards.

Tablets

If you want to get the maximum life out of your tablet get biggest capacity you can afford when you buy a new one.

Printers

Members discussed the pros and cons of using non-branded ink cartridges. The Kiosk outside Kmart in Hornsby has good prices on cartridges and is prepared to give a discount when asked.

Recording Devices

We looked at two small battery operated recorders for interviewing relatives or recording talks (but ask the presenter's permission first). 
A tablet or phone's recording app can be used for this purpose or one can record into the Evernote app. http://evernote.com

Scanners
We discussed the various types of scanners: Flatbed, Sheet feed, Wand, Flip-Pal, Slide Scanners and their uses for various purposes. Those who had used the Flip-Pal mibile scanner sang it's praises. members were reminded that the Society has a Flip-Pal. /http://flip-pal.com/

Storage Devices
Various storage devices were discussed with members being reminded about the frailty of USB sticks. The purchase of a portable hard drive was recommended as a good investment. This blog post from James Tanner was mentioned as suggested reading for those wanting to get value for money.

http://genealogysstar.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/measuring-up-comparing-data-storage.html

Western Digital and Seagate were mentioned as reliable brands.

3. New resources/sites

Biographical Database of Australia http://www.bda-online.org.au/

Fairfax News Store - now free http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/newsSearch.ac

The new Australian publication Family Tree Tracker Magazine (available from newsagents) has articles on software, hardware and howtos

Family Tree Maker User Blog has useful tips for FTM users ftmuser.blogspot.com

4.Topic for next meeting

Favourite Apps  14th November 2013 at 1:30pm

Jill Ball jillballau@gmail.com

A busy week coming up!

Special Interest Groups have really taken off in our Society.
They have increased the numbers of members and non-members alike joining in Society activities and using the wonderful resources available in our research rooms. Friendships have been formed and brick walls broken down.

This week is particularly busy:
The Mac group usually meet on the first Monday of each month but as it is a public holiday this month have decided to join with the fledgling Technology group for a gadget day.
This meeting will be on Thursday 10 October at 1.30pm in the rooms.
Come along and see who has the most gadgets and all the amazing things ways they can help your research, or just be fun!

The Irish group meet on the second Fridays and are never short on topics and stories to share. There are always brick walls to chip away at and new resources to help.
This meeting will be on Friday 11 October at 1.30pm.

The German group meet on the second Mondays. They are always well attended and attendees are active in finding new websites, books and resources to further their research.
There meeting this month is on Monday 14 October at 1.30pm.

Soon there will be a New Zealand special interest group. If you are interest in this one, please email your details to kkhs@khs.org.au to be passed on to the co-ordinator.

Hope to see you at one of these meetings soon.

It made me realise just how much I do not know...

...was a comment an attendee made in an email she sent after the first meeting of the Technology Special Interest Group in the Society Rooms on Thursday last.

Some of the group at our TechSIG meeting

The purpose of this first meeting was to set some ground rules for the group and brainstorm some topics for discussion over the coming months. Although we did not have a formal program for the meeting a lot of incidental learning and sharing took place. We agreed that the purpose of the group was "To learn from each other about how to use technology to enhance our research."

Portable Wifi

We took a look at a portable wifi hotspot/router brought along by Jenny. These devices can be purchased from Telstra and Optus, electronics shops like JB Hifi or Dick Smith, online vendors and similar outlets. We also discussed tethering a mobile phone to a computer to provide a wifi hotspot.

Members were reminded to look at our Society blog, kuringgaihs.blogspot.com and were told that one didn't need a Facebook account to view the Society Page on Facebook.

A couple of members asked just what is a Smartphone and what are its uses apart from making phone calls. A lively discussion ensued with a couple of smartphone enthusiasts waving their devices around and discussing their features. We were asked if one could print from a smartphone. The short answer was yes. We discussed the benefits of purchasing an unlocked device that could be used with different service providers especially when travelling overseas. Unlocked phones can be purchased from BigW, Dick Smith, The Good Guys etc. and a horde of online retailers.the

Jackie mentioned the free Hightail app that is useful for sharing/transferring large files over the internet. She also told us about iTunesU that allows one to access audio and video podcasts from a range of educational institutions around the globe. Tunesviewer is the app that allows Android users to access programs from iTunesU.

A member asked about screen capture options for Windows;  the inbuilt Windows Snipping tool for Windows 7 and 8 was recommended and Jo demonstrated how to use Alt and PrntScr to capture a screenshot in Windows XP.

Hack Genealogy a blog from Thomas McEntee in the US provides a daily list of links to technology resources for family historians, http://hackgenealogy.com/.

For those who missed Open Day 2013 at SRNSW the staff presentations can be viewed online at http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/open-day-2013-staff-presentations/. 

The RAHS also has a good set of podcasts for online listening http://www.rahs.org.au/podcasts/ 

Brotherhood Books is the online bookshop of the Brotherhood of St Lawrence and is a site worth searching when seeking a particular title http://www.brotherhoodbooks.org.au/.

Off the topic of technology members also discussed the best options for good parking spots when visiting the Society. 

Since the meeting a group member has passed on this message re antivirus " make sure that it is installed on your computer.  It says to make sure that your smartphone is protected as well.  For example, only download apps from official sources such as Google Play, iTunes and the App Store."

In a roundtable discussion members identified the following topics for discussion at future meetings. We will endeavour to cover as many of these topics as we can over the course of the next 12 months.

• Basics - connecting devices
• Backup and security, Antivirus
• Chrome Browser
• The Cloud
• Completing a pdf form online
• Desktop publishing (Word)
• Dropbox
• eBooks
• eBook Readers  and software
• Evernote
• Facebook Help Day
• Folders and files - file naming and organisation
• Free websites
• Gadgets
• Genealogy Software Packages
• Setting up  blog with Blogger workshop (for travel and other things)
• Fixing Old photos with Picasa
• Global roaming, SIM cards etc
• Google Tools
• Google Docs
• Google searching
• Google+
• Syncing between devices
• Windows7 and Windows 8

As the initiator of the group I was delighted with the response and enthusiasm of those who attended. Thank you all for your support.

The next meeting of our group will be a combined meeting with the Mac group on Thursday October 10 at 1:30pm where we will have a show and tell of Tech Toys or Gadgets. 

All Society members are welcome to join our fledgling group. If you would like to be included on our email list please let me know by email, jillballau@gmail.com.

Jill Ball

On its Way to a New Home

We are delighted that the resource we blogged about two days ago is already on its way to a new home.

Today we packed up the General Muster and Land and Stock Muster of New South Wales: 1822 that was superfluous to our needs and posted it off to The Moruya and District Historical Society which was very prompt in replying to our offer.

The use of our blog to tell other societies of the availability of this resource was efficient and effective and demonstrates what excellent tools social media are for organisations.

Like our Society The Moruya and District Historical Society has embraced social media with a blog and Facebook Page.

Resource - Free to a Library or Society

Last week we received a generous donation of books some of which will be added to our collection.

There is one title that is superfluous to our needs as our copy is in very good condition. The donor is happy for us to offer this book General Muster and Land and Stock Muster of New South Wales: 1822 (pictured below) to a family history or historical society or a public library geographically close to Ku-ring-gai that does not have a copy in its collection.

We ask for a contribution towards postage from the successful organisation. Please forward expressions of interest to khs@khs.org.au with the Subject Line "General Muster".

Cover

Title Page

Verso of Title Page

Trove Tuesday - Rosalie Burton

The Australian Women's Weekly from 1933 to 1982 is digitised on the Trove site from the National Library of Australia. 

This advertisement featuring 4 year old Rosalie featured in the Australian Women's Weekly published on Wednesday 22 July, 1959.

Was this little girl's name really Rosalie and did she come from Ku-ring-gai?

Article Text:

Ballet Baby

VEGEMITE-made  

by Kraft.

Petite Rosalie Burton, of Kuring-gai, N.S.W., is preparing for her B.B.O. (British Ballet Organisation ) examination this year. Where does this 4-vear old get her energy? She enjoys Vegemite every day.

Vegemite-the only pure, con-centrated yeast extract - is the  richest food source of Vitamin   B, which is essential for:

. healthy nerves
 . good digestion

. clear skin

. vitality

Your children will enjoy deli-cious Vegemite. Spread it on  toast, sandwiches, biscuits - or  on baby's rusks.

New Badge on our Blog

We are proudly displaying a new badge on the right hand sidebar of our blog. We are pleased to report that we have been nominated in Inside History Magazine's list of "50 Genealogy Blogs you need to Read in 2013".

The list includes personal, institutional and commercial blogs that contain information relevant to those who indulge in family history research. Take a look at the list at  http://www.insidehistory.com.au/2013/07/50-genealogy-blogs-you-need-to-read/ to see what sort of company we are in. 

This award will direct more readers to our blog so our Society will be highlighted to fellow researchers and groups both in Australia and overseas. 

Thankyou Inside History Magazine.

Podcasts for curious minds

In the latest issue of its eNewsletter sent to the Society the Royal Australian Historical Society has made this announcement which may be of interest to members. There are presently four podcasts listed on the site.

The RAHS is creating podcasts (audio broadcasts) of selected, lectures and seminars presented by authors, historians and researchers at the forefront of their fields making them accessible to the general public. These engaging sessions offer an eclectic mix on a wide variety of topics in Australian history and current historical issues in local history and heritage. If you missed Dr Louise Trott's fascinating talk discussing the role of the Sydney Diocesan Archives, which is a private, ‘in-house’, business, and academic research archive, giving special attention to some of the key documents in the collection you can listen to it here.

New Additions to Trove

In the latest issue of The Federation of Australian Historical Societies e-Bulletin (No. 112 - 25 June 2013) we have been notified of the latest additions to the Trove newspaper collection.

The National Library of Australia has announced that issues of the following digitised newspapers to Trove, and further issues will become available shortly.

New South Wales:

• Adelong and Tumut Express and Tumbarumba Post (NSW: 1900 - 1925)*
• Arrow (Sydney, NSW: 1916 - 1933)*
• The Bega Budget (NSW: 1905 - 1921)*
• The Bega Gazette and County of Auckland Advertiser (NSW: 1865) (Digitisation was supported by Bega Valley Shire Library, Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government and the State Library of NSW.
• The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser (NSW: 1865 - 1899) (Digitisation was supported by Bega Valley Shire Library, Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government and the State Library of NSW.)
• The Burrowa News (NSW: 1874 - 1951)*
• The Campbelltown Herald (NSW: 1880 - 1919)*
• The Carcoar Chronicle (NSW: 1863 - 1943)*
• The Catholic Press (NSW: 1895 - 1942)*
• The Cobar Herald (NSW : 1899 - 1914)*
• The Cobargo Chronicle (NSW: 1898 - 1944) (Digitisation was supported by Bega Valley Shire Library, Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government and the State Library of NSW.)
• The Corowa Chronicle (NSW: 1905 - 1928)*
• Daily Observer (Tamworth, NSW: 1917 - 1920)*
• Democrat (Lithgow, NSW: 1915 - 1916)*
• Eden Free Press and Eden District Advertiser (NSW: 1899) (Digitisation was supported by Bega Valley Shire Library, Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government and the State Library of NSW.)
• Examiner (Kiama, NSW: 1859 - 1862) (Digitisation was supported by Kiama Library, Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government and the State Library of NSW.)
• Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW: 1850 - 1932)*
• Gilgandra Weekly (NSW: 1915 - 1929) (Digitisation was supported by Gilgandra Shire Council, Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government and the State Library of NSW.)
• Globe (Sydney, NSW : 1885 - 1887)
• Goulburn Herald (NSW : 1860 - 1864)
• The Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser (NSW: 1848 - 1859)
• The Independent (Deniliquin, NSW: 1901 - 1946) *
• Kiama Examiner (NSW: 1858 - 1859) (Digitisation was supported by Kiama Library, Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government and the State Library of NSW.)
• Kiama Reporter (NSW: 1886 - 1887)
• Labor News (Sydney, NSW: 1918 - 1924)*
• The Land (Sydney, NSW: 1911 - 1954)*
• Leader (Orange, NSW: 1912 - 1922) (Digitisation was supported by Central West Libraries, the Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government Country Libraries fund and the State Library of NSW.)
• The Mirror of Australia (Sydney, NSW: 1915 - 1917)*
• Molong Argus (NSW : 1909 - 1921) (Digitisation was supported by Central West Libraries, the Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government Country Libraries fund and the State Library of NSW.)
• Molong Express and Western District Advertiser (NSW: 1912 - 1922) (Digitisation was supported by Central West Libraries, the Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government Country Libraries fund and the State Library of NSW.)
• The Newcastle Argus and District Advertiser (NSW: 1916)*
• The Newsletter: an Australian Paper for Australian People (Sydney, NSW: 1900 -1918)*
• The Northern Daily Leader (Tamworth, NSW: 1921)*
• The Peak Hill Express (NSW: 1902 - 1952)*
• The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate (NSW: 1882 - 1950)*
• The Queanbeyan Leader (NSW: 1905 - 1916)*
• Reporter and Illawarra Journal (Kiama, NSW: 1887 - 1894)
• The Shoalhaven News, Nowra (NSW: 1937)*
• Southern Argus (Goulburn, NSW: 1881 - 1885) (Digitisation supported by Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Upper Lachlan Shire Council, Yass Valley Council, the Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government and the State Library of NSW.)
• Southern Morning Herald (NSW: 1920 -1923) (Digitisation supported by Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Upper Lachlan Shire Council, Yass Valley Council, the Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government and the State Library of NSW.)
• Twofold Bay and Maneroo Observer (NSW: 1860 - 1899) (Digitisation was supported by Bega Valley Shire Library, Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government and the State Library of NSW.)
• Twofold Bay Telegraph (NSW: 1860) (Digitisation was supported by Bega Valley Shire Library, Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government and the State Library of NSW.)
• Wagga Wagga Advertiser (NSW: 1874 - 1905) (Digitisation was supported by Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga City Council, The Daily Advertiser and the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.)
• Wagga Wagga Advertiser and Riverine Reporter (NSW: 1868 - 1874) (Digitisation supported by Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga City Council, The Daily Advertiser and the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.)
• Wagga Wagga Express and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser (NSW: 1858 - 1875) (Digitisation was supported by the Wagga Wagga & District Family History Society.)
• Werriwa Times and Goulburn District News (NSW: 1901) (Digitisation was supported by Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Upper Lachlan Shire Council, Yass Valley Council, the Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government and the State Library of NSW.)
• Western Herald (NSW: 1896 - 1970) (Digitisation was supported by Bourke Shire Council, the Library Council of NSW, the NSW Government and the State Library of NSW.)

 * Digitisation of these titles has been supported by the State Library of NSW as part of the Digital Excellence Program, funded by the NSW Government.

Victoria:

• Gippsland Guardian (Vic: 1855 - 1868) (Digitisation was supported by Wellington Shire Council, Wellington Shire Heritage Network and Gippsland Prospectors and Miners.)
• North Melbourne Courier and West Melbourne Advertiser (Vic: 1895 - 1913) Digitisation supported by Melbourne Library Service.
• North Melbourne Gazette (Vic: 1894 - 1901) (Digitisation was supported by Melbourne Library Service.)
• The Record and Emerald Hill and Sandridge Advertiser (Vic: 1872 - 1881) (Digitisation was supported by the City of Port Phillip.)
• The Telegraph, St Kilda, Prahran and South Yarra Guardian (Vic : 1866 - 1888) (Digitisation supported by the Malvern Historical Society, Prahran Historical & Arts Society, St Kilda Historical Society and Stonnington History Centre.)
• The Yarragon, Trafalgar & Moe Settlement News (Vic: 1902 - 1922) (Digitisation supported by the Trafalgar & District Historical Society, the Victorian Government and Public Record Office Victoria.)

Western Australia:

• The Herald (Fremantle, WA: 1867 - 1886) Digitisation was supported by Fremantle City Library.

Learn how to use FindMyPast from an expert

Our Society has a subscription to the FindMyPast database that is at present being underutilised. Our subscription provides access to many records from Australia, Britain and Ireland including  Census Records, Military Records, Police Gazettes, Shipping and Immigration Records.

Joshua Taylor

The Society has received notification that Findmypast’s Lead Genealogist, Joshua Taylor will be touring Australia and New Zealand during July and August giving free talks developed to provide you with the necessary tools to use our subscription and hopefully knock down some brick walls.

Joshua will be presenting at Parramatta on August 10. For full details and bookings please go to: http://www.findmypast.com.au/articles/upcoming-event-joshua-taylor-tour

This event should book out quickly so don't delay.

Library and Information Week

In Library and Information Week it is appropriate to recognise our Society Library and to thank those volunteers who select, process, organise  and maintain our specialised collection.

Ku-ring-gai Historical Society has an extensive collection of books, databases and other research materials relating to Kuring-gai, its local history, its pioneers and its built and natural heritage, including a very wide range of historical photographs and other images.  We are in the process of fully cataloguing our collection, and aim to make that available on our website in due course, so that members and other researchers will be able to discover more readily whether we have materials that may assist their own research.

So far, we have completed the cataloguing of our collection of books and many of our biographical files.  A listing of this catalogue is available here and will be updated monthly.  It is listed in title order within category, and in PDF format. Use the extensive search facilities of your PDF document reader to search by name, place, author or whatever else takes your fancy!  If clicking on the above link doesn't display the catalogue, then you probably don't have an appropriate reader installed - click here for a free download of Adobe Reader®, and follow the prompts to install it.

If you find a book or other item of interest in our catalogue, it can be consulted in our research centre; we are not a lending library.

The library and reading room at Gordon is open each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 10 am and 2 pm, except the 1st Saturday of the month.

Visitors are most welcome.

KUPEDIA Progress

Our Intranet-based Historical Encyclopedia, KUPEDIA is available for use in the Society's rooms (via the prominent link on the home page of our Intranet).

The published version of KUPEDIA now has an additional 72 articles, bringing the total number of articles to 239.

These articles are extensively cross-referenced with 6,359 internal hyperlinks as well as 15 external hyperlinks. The articles also feature images relevant to the articles with 151 embedded low resolution images. Most of the articles are from early versions of the Historian originally published between June 1972 and  March 1992

The search index is also updated as part of the publication process and works extremely well. 

Please explore the updated KUPEDIA at your leisure. 

More Records added to FindMyPast

The FindMyPast database is available for members to use in our Society rooms. We have received the following notification that these records have been recently added to the collection.

World Collection Records Over the past six months we have added millions of new records to our World collection. You can view the full list of World records here These records include: US Censes 1790-1940 US WW1 Draft Registration cards Irish WW1 memorial records New Zealand WW1 Soldiers records US WW2 Army enlistment records Records of Germans to America 1850-1897 Records of Italians to America 1855-1900 New Zealand electoral rolls 1853-1996 Irish court & prison registers 1790-1924 Australian school pupil indexes Ireland Births 1864-1958 Ireland Deaths 1864-1958 Ireland Marriages 1845-1958 Australian Censuses 1841-1921 Index of Irish Wills 1484-1858 Irish Burial Registers 1618-2005 Convict arrivals in New South Wales 1788-1842 If it's a while since you used this resource it would be worthwhile taking another look.