Two dozen of our members met via Zoom yesterday for our monthly July meeting as our Group has not yet reinstated our face to face meeting schedule. It was gratifying to see some members who had not previously zoomed with us join in our two hour session.
Our Group is most grateful to an anonymous member who has donated the funds for us to purchase a 12 month subscription to Zoom to enable us to connect, collaborate and chat with fellow members. Already in the calendar are regular Wednesday Q&A help sessions with our Treasurer, Karen, fortnightly Saturday discussion sessions with our President, Jill, and some one on help sessions with individual members. Members are invited to seek help via Zoom.
For those members who were not able to join us yesterday following is a list of some items we covered.
* The LMFHG CovidSafe Plan and our return to Marmong Point Hall.
* The Group's response to the proposed move of local and family history resources from Speers Point to Swansea Library.
* Treasurer, Karen, reported on the Group's finances.
* The deferral of our Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers. Thanks to Public Officer, Arthur, for following this up.
* The vacant position of Newsletter Editor.
* Members were invited to a Zoom Session with Jess Dowdell from Lake Macquarie Council to discuss Local and Family History services.
* The next edition of The Chronicle - Subject Books - Submissions due - 26th July. Several ideas for this next issue were discussed.
* A live demonstration of the Lake Macquarie Family History Group blog - submissions from members are invited and most welcome. If you have an ancestor story from our region please consider sharing it via our blog which can act as cousin bait for you.
* Member Lyn shared her screen to discuss the latest news from Ancestry DNA. Thanks Lyn for demonstrating both your content and how to use Zoom to show your screen.
* There was an active discussion on the various software and platforms members use to manage their data eg Legacy, Family Tree Maker, Brothers Keeper, Reunion, Family Historian. Your Committee will investigate ways for members using the same products to support each other.
* Our webmaster, Robert, indicated that he is also available to give research assistance to members via telephone.
* Several members practised sharing their screens via Zoom thus demonstrating how the platform can be used as a learning tool.
* During a discussion on the new Trove website a member reminded us of the forthcoming online help sessions planned by Trove. See : https://trove.nla.gov.au/event/webinar-discover-troves-newspapers and
* Member, Jan, told how she uses Zoom to collaborate each month with a DNA contact in Denmark.
* Member Kerrie shared her latest op shop find - a book about Bushrangers. Found at The Salvos in Warners Bay.
* Vice-President, Jenny, gave an overview of the regular Scottish Indexes Conferences.
* A number of members spoke about books they had recently read or were reading. The titles included:
Esther - Jessica North
Denny Day - Terry Smyth
The Convict Valley - Mark Dunn
The Love that Remains - Susan Francis
As well as the opportunity to learn from each other the value of the social interaction afforded by our meeting yesterday was priceless. Being able to chat and share with fellow members is an important element in a Group's activities. Thanks to all who joined our July meeting, your contributions are appreciated.
Jill Ball
President
Lake Macquarie Family History Group
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