In the Library

Happy 2019 New Year to all family historians and blog followers!

I see we have reached over 100 posts to this blog and I hope you have found them informative and interesting. We would love to hear from you in the ‘Comments’ section of any post – just register and join in. (Remember this is a public site). For our first post for 2019 Michael Rumpff at the GSV highlights the large collection of family history periodicals that are received and indexed at the GSV Research Centre. [Ed.]

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From time to time, the GSV receives bulletins and newsletters from associated organisations. Because a lot of work goes into producing these communications, it’s only fair that we share them will all GSV members. You may well be aware of these organisations and their newsletters, but then again, you may not! They all contain information that you may find useful. We recently received one from the Federation of Australian Historical Societies, and it can be read at https://www.history.org.au/ebulletin/  Of note in this issue is a tribute to the late Joan Hunt, a farewell to the former President of the FAHS, Don Garden, and a welcome to the new President, Margaret Anderson. There are a number of other items that may be of interest, for instance on shipwrecks.

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GSV holds a large resource of family history periodicals from around the world. To date there are over 200 of these which are acquired by subscription, gratis and by way of exchanging GSV’s own journal Ancestor for those of other groups. These are then indexed by our volunteers and can be searched by members on our Catalogue, so you can follow up the leads they provide. These periodicals come from everywhere and form a resource you would have difficulty finding anywhere else. A casual inspection of the catalog reveals such journals as ‘Rodziny: the journal of the Polish Genealogical Society of America, the Geelong Family History Group’s The Pivot Group, Stawell’s The Reef Rumblings, other from Ormskirk and Saskatchewan, Origins from Buckinghamshire and Die Zeitung from Germany. In the catalog enter ‘Perio*’ as TOPIC and ‘to date’ in the ‘Any Word’ field for all currently received periodicals. If you want to limit the search to a specific country, other than Australia, put in ‘ENG’, for example. 

‘We also have many other periodicals which have either ceased, or our acquisition program has changed’, Linley Hooper, GSV’s Research Library Manager reminds us. ‘The Irish ancestor and The Irish genealogist are just two examples of defunct journals, but we have an index (and electronic copies) to all their issues. The electronic journals are searchable as PDFs, but that can be overwhelming – always best to start with an index created by humans who know what you may be looking for.’

GSV would love to have some more volunteers for this interesting work. Look in our catalog and see what you can find in this extensive resource to help your research.

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Back in January, Meg Bate, our Assistant Librarian provided an update on this blog about the new genealogical material that had been added to the GSV's digitised databases. This work has continued with the good work done by our volunteers and the latest material to be added is listed below. It may just contain that missing piece of your family history jigsaw.

Records added to GSV Cemeteries Database

This index contains nearly a million references from cemetery records mostly relating to Victoria. It includes memorial inscriptions or burial registers from our collection. The Society has been transcribing cemetery records since the 1950s and although there are now online websites for cemeteries (with many including photographs), some of those early headstones have disappeared or become illegible or even been destroyed by vandals. Members may use our free Quick Look-up  to obtain further details in many cases. A fee for a Quick look-up is charged for non-members. 

• Mildura cemetery headstones 1848 to 1983.
• Glenlyon cemetery register and index 1867-1983.
• Geelong Western cemetery:  Roman Catholic headstones 2.12.1848 to March 1982.
• Wallan cemetery register and headstones 1854-1978
• Geelong Eastern cemetery: Methodist headstones 1848-1962.

Records added to the Genealogical Index of Names (GIN)

This Index containing about 4 million references to people mentioned in our library and elsewhere, is available for members only. GIN comprises the LINX databases held in our library, some with images. However, not all entries are included in GIN for copyright or commercial reasons. Data is added regularly. Members may use our free Quick Look-up to obtain further details in many cases. A fee for a Quick look-up is charged for non-members. 

• Maldon Church of England marriages 1864-1946 [index]
• Maldon State School No. 1254 pupil register pt 2 August 1873 - December 1891.
• Alexander Archibald and Emily Morgan: Donnelly's Creek Gold [Index]
• What Kiddle forgot: a social history of the Mount Elephant district of Western Victoria 1860-1888.

For a list of previously added material you can check back on this Blog under 'In the Library' or 'Archives' to see if there is something in the GSV's Collection that may help your research.

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As the GSV is building stronger links with RHSV, now is a good time for you to track down the GSV Library Collection at RHSV. 

When the GSV moved in April last year to its smaller centre, its library collection was split between two locations - the GSV Research and Education Centre at 85 Queen St and the Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV). An agreement between the two societies provides access to the combined collection for GSV members. The majority of the GSV's book collection is now integrated with the library at the RHSV in their premises at the corner of William and A’Beckett Streets. [Correction: In the original publication of our previous post the location of the RHSV should have been given as on the corner of A'Beckett and William Sts.]

RHSV from A'Beckett St.

How to access the collections at the RHSV

GSV continues to list in its catalogue all the books that were in the GSV Library prior to the move. Those that are now at the RHSV have a prefix RHSV in the catalogue and those at the GSV will have GSV as a prefix.

Note that some items may be unavailable if they are being scanned and indexed. This should be mentioned in the catalogue, but unfortunately not all have been noted.

Here are the easy steps to find the books or periodicals you are looking for:

1. Check the GSV catalogue.
2. If the Call /Shelf number has a GSV prefix just come into 85 Queen Street and find the item on the shelf as before.
3. To access items at the RHSV, please provide as much notice as possible (preferably at least one day’s notice) to collections@historyvictoria.org.au , noting the title and call/ shelf number and the RHSV will confirm by return email that the item is ready for you. Please include your GSV membership no. with your email request.
   Item requests can only be taken by email.
4. Present your GSV Membership card on arrival (otherwise the RHSV Day Visit fee would apply).

RHSV Existing Collections

You can search at:http://www.historyvictoria.org.au/collections for information on their holdings.

How to get to the RHSV:

Royal Historical Society of Victoria is at 239 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne. The entrance to the RHSV is in A'Beckett St.

Opening Hours: Library 10am – 4pm Mon-Fri. Phone number 9326 9288

Take Tram 55 up William Street, and get off at the LaTrobe Street stop. There are also frequent buses up Queen St from GSV to A'Beckett St, but it is only a 10-15 minute walk from the GSV.

OR

Take a train to Flagstaff Station, and walk one short block up William St to A'Beckett St. 

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In this opening article for 2018, Meg Bate, GSV's Assistant Library Manager, gives an update on the recent additions to the unique GSV Cemeteries Database.

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GSV Cemeteries database

This index contains nearly a million references from cemetery records mostly relating to Victoria. It includes memorial inscriptions or burial registers from our collection. The Society has been transcribing cemetery records since the 1950s and although there are now online websites for cemeteries (with many including photographs), some of those early headstones have disappeared or become illegible or even been destroyed by vandals. Members may use our free Quick Look-up to obtain further details in many cases. A fee for a Quick look-up is charged for non-members. 

Added to GSV Cemeteries database:

Added to GSV Genealogical Index of names

Genealogical Index of Names (GIN), containing about 4 million references to people mentioned in our library and elsewhere, is available for members only. GIN comprises the LINX databases held in our library, some with images. However, not all entries are included in GIN for copyright or commercial reasons. Data is added regularly. Members may use our free Quick look-up to obtain further details in many cases. A fee for a Quick look-up is charged for non-members. 

16 June 2017

SCANNING & INDEXING PROJECT REPORT

The GSV scanning and indexing project is progressing thanks to all the hard work of our volunteers. Below is an updated summary of what we have achieved so far. But each week more is added so check back.

Family Histories

498  documents have been scanned, checked and the catalogue has been updated.  These digitized records are available to GSV members within the GSV Research and Education Centre.

Genealogical index of names (GIN) - 2017

Bostocks Creek State School register no. 2893 1890-1909 index

Royal Victorian Trained Nurses Association. Register of members [nurses] February 1922

Cemeteries Database

We have now indexed 564 cemeteries making a total 788856 records in the GSV Cemeteries database.

Note: if the library catalogue location states

CEMETERIES DATABASE. The  images are attached to records in the Cemeteries database and may be viewed online.

 INDEXED IN CEMETERIES DATABASE  : The cemetery had been indexed and our scanned document is only available at the GSV. Check the instructions on the catalogue

Cemetery indexes with images (mostly transcripts) added 2017

Beeac cemetery : previously Ondit and Cundare public cemetery : headstones 20 June 1870 - 27 November 1981

Black Heath (Sailors Home) cemetery headstones and receipts 11 May 1879 - 31 March 1930

Cemetery tombstone transcription series pt 8: Woods point, Victoria [14.9.1866 - 12.2.1966]

Coburg: brief history of cemetery and plan

Deaths and burials at Casterton

Deep Lead cemetery register & headstones 19/4/1859 to 19/1/1992

Edi Upper private cemetery

Eurambeen & Eurambeen East private cemeteries: headstones 2/3/1866 - 12/7/1977

Freshwater Creek: St David's Lutheran church cemetery headstones 16/7/1867 to 1/7/1973

Jericho cemetery transcriptions 1868

Jindabyne (NSW) Soldiers Memorial Cemetery headstones 1919-1985

Kialla West cemetery register 1886-1985

Maddingley cemetery register 23/4/1863 - 14/11/1958

Maldon early burials (church burials) 1854-1856

Mornington cemetery headstones to 1951

Moroco Station, Mathoura NSW headstones 21/12/1853-28/8/1900

Mt Koroite Coleraine, Vic: private burial ground of the Young family

Noradjuha cemetery register and headstones 1891-1979

Omeo cemetery memorial inscriptions 13 July 1872 to 21 April 1980

Pine Creek Cemetery NT headstones -/9/1894 - 4/9/1970

Port Fairy (Belfast) cemetery 3 Mar 1904 - 27 Feb 1970

Rupanyup cemetery register 1914-1980 & headstones 1875-1990

Walkerville cemetery headstones 1899-1924

Warringal (Heidelberg) cemetery headstones: Roman Catholic (section M), General (Section N) 1853-1912

Yarra Glen cemetery headstones May 1864 to 16 Jan 1983.

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During the recent process of moving, GSV identified a considerable part of its library holdings to be scanned and indexed in order to make this material more accessible for our members. This Scanning and Indexing Project is progressing well, thanks to all the hard work of the volunteer team we have assembled. We would always welcome additional assistance. Below is a brief summary of what we have achieved so far.

Cemeteries Database

We have now indexed 556 cemeteries making a total 780,980 records in the GSV Cemeteries database. We are making excellent progress but we still have approximately 110 cemeteries that have been scanned and are waiting to be indexed.

Family Histories

470 documents have been scanned, checked and the catalogue has been updated.  These digitized records are available to GSV members within the GSV Research and Education Centre.

1494 family histories from the vertical file have been scanned & are waiting to be checked. 313 family history files have been scanned & ready to be added to the catalogue.

 Cemetery indexes with images (mostly transcripts) added 2017

Moroco Station, Mathoura NSW headstones 21/12/1853-28/8/1900

Deaths and burials at Casterton

Pine Creek Cemetery NT headstones -/9/1894 - 4/9/1970

Rupanyup cemetery register 1914-1980 & headstones 1875-1990

Kialla West cemetery register 1886-1985

Coburg: brief history of cemetery and plan

Edi Upper private cemetery

Eurambeen & Eurambeen East private cemeteries: headstones 2/3/1866 - 12/7/1977

Black Heath (Sailors Home) cemetery headstones and receipts 11 May 1879 - 31 March 1930

Jindabyne (NSW) Soldiers Memorial Cemetery headstones 1919-1985

Maldon early burials (church burials) 1854-1856

Walkerville cemetery headstones 1899-1924

Jericho cemetery transcriptions 1868

Freshwater Creek: St David's Lutheran church cemetery headstones 16/7/1867 to 1/7/1973

Deep Lead cemetery register & headstones 19/4/1859 to 19/1/1992

Mornington cemetery headstones to 1951

Maddingley cemetery register 23/4/1863 - 14/11/1958.

Note: if the library catalogue location states: 'CEMETERIES DATABASE' - The  images are attached to records in the Cemeteries database and may be viewed online. 'INDEXED IN CEMETERIES DATABASE' - The cemetery had been indexed and our scanned document is only available at the GSV. Check the instructions on the catalogue.

 Genealogical index of names (GIN) - 2017

Bostocks Creek State School register no. 2893 1890-1909 index.

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Visit us online at http://www.gsv.org.au or call in to our new Research and Education Centre to discover your world of family history.

13 April 2017 - This post commences a new category which we hope keeps you better informed about the resources in our Library that may help you with your family history research.

The GSV receives about 250 family history and genealogy periodicals from Australian and international societies. These are available for members and visitors to access. Articles in the majority of these journals are indexed by our volunteers in the searchable GSV online library catalogue.

Articles of broad interest in recently received periodicals are highlighted quarterly in GSV's Ancestor journal in the regular column, 'Jottings...and library news'. Members receive this journal as part of their membership.

Recent periodicals received by the GSV library (March 2017 quarter) include articles on:

• the diary of Walter Williams, a private soldier in India 1878-1888
• 'Dundee: tracing the Tay Valley's history on ScotlandsPlaces'
• tracing ancestors - Irish, Huguenot, Royal Navy, and Army, as well articles on the '1939 register', on places and families in Buckinghamshire and another containing a good introduction to the enclosure of shared strips of land after 1773.
• Ancestry's indexing of 'Ireland School Masters and Mistresses 1826', British Army pension records, pensioners records of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham 1724-1924, Royal Hospital Chelsea 1715-1925 and Pensioner Soldier Records 1760-1920.
• genetic genealogy
• a new release online for the first time of over 2.1 million new fully searchable records of individuals; baptisms 1538-1751; marriages 1538-1753 and burials 1838-1865.
• an interesting article about un-named death records held by the various Australian State registries. The NSW records have over 3000 records for 'Unknown'.
• useful tips in 'Some of our ancestors are missing' (Buckinghamshire).

You can follow up these in our catalogue - online before your visit.