Researching your family history can be a daunting task, but a series of information sessions are helping unlock some time-honoured principals on how to source the correct details.
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Run by Port Macquarie and Districts Family History Society, the first of three sessions was held in the Port Macquarie Library on August 23. There are two other information sessions planned for the area.
Society president Diane Gillespie says information sessions are for people looking to take the first steps toward building their family history tree.
“While it is up to people if they want to begin the process of mapping their family history it is a lifelong passion,” Mrs Gillespie said.
“To start the process, we suggest you talk to the family and then begin accessing the records that are available.
“The society can be instrumental in helping people find the right way to approach recording your family’s history and to become immersed in your family history.
“While the basic records are there, it is a matter of finding which ones you want. We encourage you, and show you, how to look beyond the births, deaths and marriages section.
“I think we all want to know where we came from.”
Mrs Gillespie says it is vital to learn how to ask the right question to elicit the answer required to complete family history research.
You’ve got to be a bit of a detective, really.
- Diane Gillespie
“You’ve got to be a bit of a detective, really,” she added.
The society president praised shows such as Who Do You Think You Are? but said research can take years to complete.
To start the basics of family history research, Mrs Gillespie suggested, starting with yourself, and write down your own details, then build the research through accessing civil, church or government records to support those details.
You can then expand the search to grandparents and use key information from marriage certificates as a guide. Every generation recorded is a doubling of your family history, she said.
Five rules for recording family history
- Always use a pencil to write down information.
- Always print.
- When writing names, always use capitals for surnames.
- When writing dates, use a numeral for the date, spell out the month and write all four digits for the year, and
- When writing down places, use the accepted Chapman Codes. Always use, place names, city, state (county) and country.
The free information sessions to help people begin their family history continue at Laurieton on Wednesday August 30, 10am until 12.30pm, Laurieton library, Laurie Street, Laurieton; and, Wauchope, Friday September 1, 10am until 12.30pm, Wauchope library, High Street Wauchope.
