Mentor Judy Barry, a whiz at coming up with resources using the State Library’s links to ‘British Newspapers’, recently confirmed the family story that Dawn’s husband forebear really did fall into (and freeze to death in) an ice pit. The paper--the Royal Cornwall Gazette of Friday 11 September 1840.
Dawn has continued to find resources to add to the book for her husband and family she showed us at our last session. A ‘second edition’ has already been printed, and we suspect it may not be the last! Helen, with the support of her husband and sister, has decided a DNA test may be the way to resolve a family mystery and recently applied for then sent off a test. Val is closer to finding out more about the arrival of her great grandfather, ‘Irish John’ Hernan, since discovering that he worked on an experimental farm at Somerville, near Keilor, before shifting to Winton to farm in the early 1860’s. Julie is soon to head out on an excursion to old family sites in the north east – homes, cemeteries and more –with her mother’s youngest sister and their daughters.
One-to-one sessions are continuing for beginners who may go on to join another small group and for members for whom individual sessions are the most workable option. Although we can get ‘carried away’ solving mysteries during these sessions, the aim of the one-to-one sessions is for members to develop skills to work independently.
Bev Lee