Tuesday 27 July 2021

Trove Tuesday - Who's who in Wangi Wangi in 1937?

 A search in the Magazines & Newsletters Category on Trove can yield some surprises. One would not expect to find a digitised book in this category.

One serendipitous discovery when searching for references to Wangi Wangi in this category was finding that the 1937 edition of  'WISE'S NEW SOUTH WALES POST OFFICE COMMERCIAL DIRECTORY",  which the man in the street would class as a  book, had been digitised and was available there in Trove.  This publication is classed by the cataloguers as a Journal because it was an annual publication so perhaps that was why it was placed in the Magazines & Newsletters Category.  

There are 39 issues from 1909 of this publication, that was digitised from the collection of The State Library in NSW, available here on Trove : https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-522689844. This is a valuable contemporary resource for researchers to track down their ancestors' movements over time. 

1909, 'WISE'S NEW SOUTH WALES POST OFFICE COMMERCIAL DIRECTORY 1937', Wise's New South Wales post office directory Wise's Directories, Sydney viewed 27 July 2021 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-653883586

This publication contains some lists of the residents in our State. Included in the pages of Newcastle suburbs was this list of residents from Wangi Wangi and Arcadia. Some of the entries show the profession or trade of those listed. (Follow link in citation to access and enlarge image on Trove).

1909, 'WISE'S NEW SOUTH WALES POST OFFICE COMMERCIAL DIRECTORY 1937', Wise's New South Wales post office directory Wise's Directories, Sydney viewed 27 July 2021 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-653883586


Friday 23 July 2021

First Naturalisations in Lake Macquarie

 The first ceremony performed in Lake Macquarie took place 67 years ago  in 1954.

1954 'To-day's Topics', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 23 July, p. 2. , viewed 20 Jul 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134659227


Tuesday 20 July 2021

Trove Tuesday - Obits tell family stories

Some obituaries published in local newspapers are veritable gold mines of genealogical information. The following articles snipped from Trove tell of the lives and families of former Speers Point residents.

1922 'SPEERS' POINT.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 3 January, p. 5. , viewed 20 Jul 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140995143

"SPEERS' POINT" Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) 15 May 1926: 3. Web. 20 Jul 2021 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138164614>.

1920 'SPEERS' POINT.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 27 May, p. 7. , viewed 20 Jul 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138821307

1921 'SPEERS' POINT.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 13 July, p. 8. , viewed 20 Jul 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141071880

1922 'SPEERS' POINT.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 3 January, p. 5. , viewed 20 Jul 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140995143

Sunday 18 July 2021

Rockin' and Rollin' with Rick

Our meeting at Marmong Point yesterday was filled to Covid19 capacity for our guest speaker Rick Pointon. We were concerned that we may go over our limit of thirty but we kept to that number. Thankfully we were able to broadcast the talk to other members via zoom.

Rick the Storyteller

Rick, who had a long career in the music world in Newcastle and beyond, regaled us with stories from his new book Hey Rock 'n' Roll. There were lots of nods and laughs plus spontaneous applause when Rick burst into song with I've been everywhere (Around Newcastle) Click on previous link to listen to the original recording on Youtube.

While Rick gave many in attendance a trip down memory lane there were extra special memories for members Elspeth, Helen and Jenny whose family members featured in Rick's tales. Rick's beautifully produced book is brim full of stories and peppered with stunning photos of memorabilia from his collection, it can be purchased from many local bookshops and newsagents.


The strong message we family historians gained from this event is that we all have stories to tell, we need to take a leaf out of Rick's book and write and preserve our stories for future generations. 



Tuesday 13 July 2021

Trove Tuesday - Lake Macquarie

 Traipsing through Trove last night I came across this poem, published in 1948, written by 11 year-old Janice Hughes of Speers Point.

1948 'Lake Macquarie', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 29 June, p. 4. , viewed 12 Jul 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134316232

Gulls noon-day dinner in Carey Bay - April 2020


Monday 12 July 2021

General Meeting - 19th July 2021


We look forward to seeing members and welcoming our guest speaker, Rick Pointon, at our monthly meeting next Saturday 19th July. All attendees will be required to wear masks.