Deb's story for this month's topic 'The Clue or Evidence that opened up my family story'  is very much a 'Gains' story!

"Unlocking a closed door in your research can sometimes take you by surprise.  Re-visiting some details in a marriage certificate and an unexpected result in a google search has helped me to uncover the origin of one of my ancestors.  The google search led to an academic article filled with information and a connection to a family member in Scotland.  Not only did I find the Stewart Family ancestors lived at High Park Farm on the Kintyre Peninsula - currently owned by Paul McCartney.  It has also been confirmed through DNA that my mother is part of the Royal Stewarts of Scotland, descending from King Robert III.  What a surprise! 

Malcolm reported on his two week, family history related, trip in April and May...
... " I went to Mt Gambier, Robe, & Goolwa. I  met up with my second cousin (Karen) in Mt Gambier - I hadn't  seen her since the Benalla floods of 2nd October 1993. 
I then met my first cousin Des Smith (now 92 with no walking aids) and wife Betty at Goolwa. Des Smith is one of my oldest cousins. Born at Tatong, Des worked for the Commonwealth Railways and became the chief commissioner. His book on “Rail Tracks Across Australia” (120 pages) will be given to the Benalla Family Research Group. Des graduated as a Civil Engineer from Melbourne University in 1952.I now have a complete listing of the 3 children and 8 grandchildren to add to an almost complete Family book for Karen Smith/Carroll.
I was able to give Karen & Des a 30-page draft during the visit. The book is now complete with 96 pages ready to print.
I also met two other second cousins I hadn't seen since 1960, Stephen & Paul Smith ( Karen’s brothers) at Goolwa."

Sue described the gains she has made since joining the class in February
​"Recently Bev met with me to see what help she could provide to assist me in my research. She showed me how to upload a Gedcom  file to My Heritage  so I could produce a family book. She also provided a link to South Australian shipping records. I have sent off my DNA test and awaiting results. I have been able to upload a Gedcom file for my husband and produced a family tree for him with lots more to do. I have still not found any information on my estranged fathers life for the last 50 years but my increase in research skills and more time available I am hoping to find those lost years. I feel inspired and motivated by those who are further along in their research and learning more organisational and tips of the trade. I am still struggling with our iMac computer but persisting slowly. A very worthwhile class!" 

Thanks Barry, Deb, Malcolm and Sue for writing up these reports!

There were fewer participants than usual at this month’s session.  Some were away on holidays, some felt unwell, and others had alternate activities.

‘Pains and Gains’
David: had been attempting for some time to get a program that would show his family tree in a compact, but readable format.  He came across a program called ‘edraw’ which he has modified to suit his requirements.
Andi:  unearthed some buried information, after "Upotipotpon station" was advertised for sale a few months back.  Visiting the Real Estate agent hoping to visit it, the fellow she spoke to asked, did she have a family connection? Andi said yes, her great-great-great-aunt died there.
Barry: did not have any further information on his family history, however he did uncover some very interesting information about Arthur Baird.  In 1942 Arthur encouraged a young staff member to continue their studies. As a result of this Connie Jordan became the first female licenced engineer for QANTAS.
Deb: found details from the death certificate of Mary Stewart, which led her to a number of family graves in Box Hill cemetery.  This discovery has led to further details about the family.
Dawn, who has been working on her husband’s family history, brought along copies of family history books prepared by family members from her family that appear to contain some detailed history which will be useful to her as she moves on to explore her own paternal and maternal family history.

Family stories were mostly on the ‘ANZAC’ theme:
Bev: focussed on the war service of her father Anthony ‘Tony’ Lee who was assigned to the 7th Division Signals and served in the Middle East and later New Guinea. Bev also circulated a copy of a listing from the National Archives which gives details of medals, and when and where they were awarded.
David: presented details of the Hall and Dillon families who served in both the 1st and 2nd World Wars.
Deb: had researched and written thoughtfully about the wartime experience of her Grandfather and his three brothers who all enlisted in September 1915, and also spoke of his two sons who had fought in WW2.
Barry: had previously written about the aftermath of the wars, however during more detailed research on the family history, uncovered a detailed account of the units that his father served with during WW2. This was as story very similar to Bev Lee’s father, as they both served in the Middle East initially, and were then transferred to New Guinea.
Almost all of the recollections of returning servicemen highlighted war related physical and mental health issues, often suffered for many years.
Andi chose the ‘Traits’ topic and gave details of how DNA results impacted on various family members. 

Topics for our next class -
The clue or evidence that opened up my family story… Describe a piece of evidence which, when found, resolved a problem or enabled your family research to move on or consolidated it in some way.   If you can remember the details, share your process in doing so with us and the avenues it opened up.  
“Out of my usual comfort zone…”  Write about a branch of your tree which (or an ancestor who) has taken you out of your comfort zone (and perhaps current subscription level) into international records or a rather remote source of records.  What did you discover that led you on this new journey, what committed you to pursuing it, what did you find out if anything?  How did this help 'round out' your family tree.  Was the journey worthwhile?

Barry O’Connor