Those who frequent the current Cairns & District Family History Society building at 20-30 Hartley Street may be interested to see what the address looked like when I grew up on the same site during the mid-1950s and early 1960s. (more…)
I started my own family history research some 25 years ago. At the time, I was the Historical and Genealogical Officer with the New South Wales Land Titles Office, and had been assisting the general public for many years, through early land records research. I only ever knew one grandparent, my maternal grandmother, Anna Davies (nee Wilson), who I adored, the others having died long before my birth. I was one of her favorites. (more…)
Google is an everyday tool used for searching for clues in our family histories. Out of habit, most users simply type one or more keywords into the search box and take it from there. But learning a few basic Google tips can have a significant impact on your genealogical research outcomes. (more…)
“Ghost walks return to life” in Cairns with Shadows of the Past dramatised evening tours of the McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery. The event features 12 stories of the lives and deaths of the Cairns pioneers buried there. The cast of ghosts floating around and speaking their stories, or the stories of their loved ones, will take the audience back in time. The performance will be accompanied by the evocative music of Cairns Brass. (more…)
I have just spent three absorbing, and very educational days with Niles Elvery, Regional Coordinator, and three other members of the Q ANZAC 100 team from the State Library of Queensland. The first morning was a unique opportunity to look at some of the State Library’s precious original First World War materials. (more…)
Cairns & District Family History Society was fortunate to have Dr Jan Wegner, Senior Lecturer from James Cook University in Cairns, visit our Resource Centre on Saturday, 21 March, and give us a detailed presentation on how to research properties and explore the history of houses in Queensland. (more…)
William (Bill) Hunter was born 19 February 1891 in Yarraville, Victoria, to Scottish parents James Hunter and Mary Neilson. He was brought up on a farm in Beenak, Victoria, with…
Are you having trouble viewing some digital images linked to the Qld State Archives Indexes? Well, that was a problem that I was having, as were some other researchers. (more…)
Cairns Post Tuesday 3 Feb, 2015The following article appeared prominently in the Cairns Post yesterday. It features the McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery education kit researched and written by Cairns & District…
Need help starting to search your family tree? Need help with a brick-wall?
Cairns & District Family History Society is holding family history Drop-In Genealogy Clinics commencing Saturday 24th January, 2015 (free to newcomers!). (more…)
Late last year, CDFHS was invited to submit an article for the January 2015 issue of Cairns Life Magazine as a part of their special holiday feature on 2015 Bucket List Experiences. (more…)
In November 2014, I was lucky enough to attend a very special commemorative evening held in Herberton, North Queensland – my home town.
The Herberton Lions Club hosted an evening presentation including a history walk through their local cemetery. (more…)
McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery – Student Education PackCairns Regional Council has just released the Student Education Pack for the beautiful heritage-listed McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery.The pack, which consists of Teacher’s…
Coincidence? Fate? Serendipity? Call it what you like, but it happened. My husband Ron and I were passing through Bowen in North Queensland recently, when we got a bit lost…
To the internet-savvy genealogist, a blog is an everyday part of life… reading the daily, weekly or ad hoc blog articles that arrive via email, RSS feeds, or show up on our social media profiles accompanied by great recommendations and enticing titles. (more…)