Over the last 12 months, researchers and visitors at the Cairns and District Family History Centre would have seen a sprightly, bespectacled, grey haired gentleman, peering intently into the microfilm…
You just never know what treasures you might find hidden in the bookshelves of historical collections. Whilst browsing in the Queensland section of the Cairns & District Family History Society's…
Visitors to Cairns & District Family History society usually know a little about their recent family history, and are keen to use CDFHS resources to learn more about earlier generations and start building a family tree.
Not Bob Taylor. When he joined CDFHS in late 2015, the only facts that he knew were his name, his date of birth, and from his birth certificate that his mother was named Sheila Taylor. (more…)
CDFHS has been informed of the existence of a marble plaque - broken in two - that was found in a building in Cairns which is set for demolition. There…
The three photos below were part of a collection from the Pugh family of Ravenswood in North Queensland.
Several of the Pugh daughters worked as nurses at different places throughout Queensland.
Pam Cooper has shared these lovely photographs in the hope that someone may recognise the people involved. (more…)
Twins, Anna Petronella Gronlund and her brother, Wilhelm Fredrik Gronlund, were born on 29 April 1864 in Rebbelberga, Skane, Sweden; the eldest children of Sven Jonasson Gronlund and his second…
Far North Queensland must be one of the DNA testing hotspots of Australia, but here at Cairns & District Family History Society we still work hard at encouraging even more of our members (and their families and friends) and visitors to try DNA testing as a part of their family history research. (more…)
Email from David (Nov, 2015)
I was born in Cairns in 1947 and my mother kept me for a short time and then decided to adopt me out. I had always known my birth mother’s name but had never been successful in tracking down any information. (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…)
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…)
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…)
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…)