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An absorbing and quite fascinating first session ...

28/2/2021

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Meeting in the U3A Meeting Room for the first time after the Covid break, we were warmly welcomed by U3A’s President Dorothy Webber, who wished us a successful year. 

Wendy Stugess's introduction to the goals and nature of the group, which includes a family story telling component, was followed by an absorbing hour or so in which each person shared their understanding of their family history developed to date.  We were so impressed with the things people have already achieved.  This included work undertaken to develop family trees, to search for missing relatives and to resolve other mysteries, often over quite long periods of time.    We heard tales of travels to locate ancestors in cemeteries far away.  People spoke of writing books including Marcus’s ‘Covid Project’ written for his children and Rupe’s goal of publishing the book he has written about his Cheetham forebears. We were fascinated by Wendy Webster's Early Winton Settlers project.  We listened in awe as Marg described the efforts she has made to find her mother, and more.   A goal setting and skills analysis work sheet was then completed to provide further feedback to convenors about goals, strengths, and learning needs.
 
After the break Bev introduced the Family Research page on the U3A website, using her family history blog to share ‘My Roman Nose’, her story for February’s writing topic ‘Family Traits’.  A fascinating collection of stories followed, with traits including having an identifiable laugh; fair skin prone to sunburn and desperate efforts to tan; the vertical challenge of being of Cornish descent; persistence and a sense of humour; distinctive dark eyes and hair; a love of gardening, a nursing career and an enduring passion for trains, and more.  The role of DNA results in confirming family legends of links to people in far off lands was explored.

​At the end of the session Wendy presented a folder she has prepared showing a time sequence of illustrations of costumes over 200 years, explaining that it may prove useful in identifying unnamed people in old photographs.  We look forward to bringing along old photos to compare with the illustrations in Wendy’s folder during the year.

Members who weren’t able to attend in February will be able to introduce their family history quest and share family trait stories next month. 

Our March writing topic  is ‘Family Treasure’ -  The brief - Write a story of 150 to 400 words (or prepare an ‘show and tell’ presentation) about a family treasure you are finding, or will find, it hard to let go of.  If possible bring it along.  Explain its importance to you and where it fits in your family tree, perhaps using a genogram to help you to do so.  (It doesn’t have to be an expensive treasure – it can be as humble as your great- grandmother’s recipe book or teapot.) 

Finally, some housekeeping – please remember to bring your own coffee mug and to let us know if you will be attending for numbers and room set up by calling or messaging Wendy Sturgess on 0403226649 or Bev Lee on 0478607838.

Wendy Sturgess and Bev Lee 
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How to draw a genogram to help to problem solve

23/2/2021

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While most programs create a family tree, sometimes when you are busy researching and have lots of names and relationships swimming around in your head, it's a good idea to draw a genogram.  There are many programs available to help with this, but given that you are using it as a 'mind map' to help you to record and connect people across a couple of generations, just writing one up as you try to problem solve can prove helpful.  I usually just do them on a piece of paper which I discard once I feel they have been slotted in to the right place in a tree.

The basic principles are simple....  squares for men, circles for women, connecting lines, cancelled lines for relationships, crosses across the square or circle if the person is deceased, and as much information as you need re ages, names, for the problem you are trying to solve.
There are programs which will let you try the process for free, but require a subscription if you want to print the test genogram out, edit it further, etc.  For example
​
www.edrawmax.com/genogram/how-to-make-a-genogram/

https://www.orgcharting.com/how-to-make-a-genogram/ ​
Picture
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A new 'Covid-19' influenced format, complete with story telling!

5/2/2021

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Family Research is a guided self-help group which aims to support and encourage members who are working on their family history.   

At our first session in the U3A Meeting Room on Thursday 25 February from 1 to 4 pm we will be following a new ‘Covid friendly’ format.  We will begin with a presentation followed by time to apply what was discussed; a BYO tea/coffee break to enjoy chatting with others who are interested in family history; a writing component in which stories are shared on a theme set for the session; and a chance to problem solve and work on our family trees. 

The topic to bring along for the writing component in our first session is ‘Family Trait’ – write between 150 and 400 words on a family trait you appeared to have inherited.  What is it, who do you seem to have inherited it or share it with.  How did it play out in their life?  In your life? 

​During the first session we will learn to draw genograms to help to explain where the people mentioned in our stories fit into our family tree. 

Bev Lee 0478 607 838
Wendy Sturgess  0403 226 649
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    Family Stories

    Family Research

    ​Family Research is a guided self-help group for members who are already working on their family tree.  Sessions commence with report backs on ‘pains and gains’ during research over the previous month accompanied by shared problem solving and lots of encouragement and ideas for next steps.  Presentations by group members and guest speakers provide inspiration and suggestions of different approaches and resources.  Social distance regulations permitting, ‘hands on’ segments to learn new skills on our devices will be included in 2022.  Stories are also shared each month on topics designed to encourage deeper reflection on our research.  Topics to begin 2022 include ‘A Sense of Place’, ‘Hunch’ and ‘They were there when…’. 

    Convenor/s Contact Details

    Bev Lee
    ​0478 607 838

    ​Wendy Sturgess 
    0403 226 649 

    Barry O'Connor
    ​0407 266 688

    Meeting Times

    4th Thursday 1 to 4 pm
    Family Research Course Information 2022

    ​List of Topics - 2022

    List of Topics - 2021

    Finding the Alphabetical List of Names on Ancestry.com (Barry O'Connor)

    Links

    Benalla Family Research Group 
    Trove
    'More on Trove'
    Everyone Loves Trove (Podcast)
    'Lee Devitt Family History Blog' Bev Lee
    DNA Detectives and the End of Family Secrets

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    Draft notes on lists and downloads from Trove
    HEREDIS 

    ancestry.com.au

    myheritage.com

    ​Scotland's People 

    momento.com

    photobooksexpress.com,au 

    Photobooks express  help guide

    findpenguins.com

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