Steam locomotive 3801 back on track

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Maitland and steam locomotive 3801 have forged a historic bond.
The coal and water tender from the famous locomotive, which is a popular sight at Maitland’s Steamfest, left Telarah yesterday after its first overhaul in 20 years.

Full article by Rebecca Berry available at Maitland Mercury, 21 Oct, 2010.

Michael Rolfe appointed Chief Executive Officer, Museums & Galleries NSW

After an international search process, the Board of Museums & Galleries NSW (M&G NSW) are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Michael Rolfe as Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Rolfe joins M&G NSW after a highly successful period as Director of the Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre in Gymea, Sydney.

Concerns over zone changes: Aberglasslyn House

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The National Trust-listed Aberglasslyn House will lose its surrounding buffer zone if the council’s local environment plan is given the go-ahead tonight.
Maitland City Council city strategy manager Monica Gibson recommended in a report that the buffer zone, which the report described as a “development restriction around Aberglasslyn House”, be changed to a rural/residential zoning.
National Trust advocacy officer Tony Brassil said he was concerned about losing the buffer zone to a property of such overwhelming heritage significance.

Full article by Kate Morris avaliable at Maitland Mercury, 19 Oct, 2010.

Museum reopens after restoration work

From the Maitland Mercury report:

The old Morpeth Court House is ready to be opened following months of restoration work.

The courthouse, now a museum, has been closed for some time while contractors carried out the work,

The Morpeth Court House was built in 1862 on land donated by Lieutenant EC Close and was designed by architect Mortimer Lewis Jnr, the government’s Clerk of Works in the Hunter region at that time.

Full article by Anna Yeo available at Maitland Mercury, 19 Oct, 2010.

Forgotten heroes: Korean veterans

From the Maitland Mercury report:
For two veterans in Maitland the Korean war still seems very much an unknown war – as far as the government is concerned too. On October 23, a national ceremony will be held at the Australian National Korean War Memorial in Canberra to mark the 60th anniversary of that war. But former Royal Australian Navy sailor Dave Cunningham and infantryman Basil Stemp, who both served in Korea, told the Mercury they knew nothing about the upcoming Canberra ceremony and had received no information about it.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 15 Oct, 2010.

Standing the test of time: Tocal College

From the Maitland Mercury report:
It has been 45 years since Sir Robert Menzies opened the doors of Tocal Agricultural College paving the way for thousands of Australians to learn the ropes about life on the land.

Since then the Tocal property, homestead and college have touched the lives of many.
Staff, students (past and present) and various politicians gathered at the college on Thursday for Foundation Day to pay homage to an education facility that has stood the test of time.

Full article by Emma Swain available at Maitland Mercury, 15 Oct. 2010.

U.K. National Archives: search one million wills online

The U.K. National Archives has the largest collection of digitised wills on the internet. You can search over one million wills, made between 1384 and 1858 with the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. 

The site also features a selection of famous wills, including that of Jane Austen, 1817.



Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The Commission's records commemorate over 1.7 million service men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars.

As we have so many records, we are regularly asked why:

• we provide only initials and not Christian names
• we don't have any information about next of kin in our records

To help explain this further, our Archives Supervisor has written a short report on
How our records were compiled following the First World War.

Society of Australian Genealogists - October Events

Society of Australian Genealogists
Getting Started on Your Family History
Thursday 28 October (10.30am - 12.30pm) - members only - Are you wondering how to get started, or what questions to ask? This opportunity is especially for new members with no family history research experience. Learn the fundamentals to start you on the road, and where to find and ask for help. Members Only. Special Price of $10.00. Bookings Essential.

Lost in the Internet 2010
Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 October (10.00am-4.00pm) -
Held at the State Library of NSW. Come along to the SAG's annual weekend seminar to learn about the latest on free-to-view and pay-to-view sites, review social networking, consider privace and etiquette concerns, look to maximising your Google-ing experience and much more. See full programme here. Bookings Essential. $95 ($115 non-members).

National Trust Hunter Regional Committee AGM

The Hunter Regional Committee is currently welcoming nominations to all positions on the committee. This includes chair, deputy chair, secretary, treasurer and committee members.
Executive director of the National Trust, Will Holmes a Court, will be a guest speaker at the meeting.

The meeting will be followed by lunch including Devonshire tea, coffee, sandwiches.
Cost $8. All proceeds go to Tomago House.
Sunday 21 November, 11am
Tomago House, 421 Tomago Road, Tomago. Ph. 49301471

Angel of Peace statue in Maitland Park

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The Angel of Peace statue in Maitland Park – once heralded as a possible “angel of death” because she was falling apart – is smiling again. And so are officials from Maitland RSL sub-branch now that she has been repaired.
Full article by Alan Hardie available at Maitland Mercury, 30 Sep, 2010.

History & Genealogy Expo - Sydney

This Expo is unique opportunity to see many societies, libraries and commercial product and service suppliers in one place and to learn from the many expert presenters. There will be something for researchers at all levels.
This expo is being organised by Unlock the Past with the support of the Society of Australian Genealogists.
Venue - Parramatta RSL, Corner Macquarie and O’Connell Streets, Parramatta
Date - Friday 22 - Saturday 23 October
Time - 9.00am-6.00pm Friday - 9.00am-5.00pm Saturday
More information at Unlock the Past.

Lochinvar’s historic police station to stay

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Lochinvar’s historic police station is to be saved and will be refurbished as a working station, Maitland MP Frank Terenzini announced yesterday.
Full article at Maitland Mercury, 28 Sep, 2010.

Chair a memory to fallen soldiers - Paterson Museum

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A memorial chair honouring the lives of two men who tragically lost their lives during World War II has taken up residence at Paterson Courthouse Museum.
Dedicated by their families on May 27, 1948, the chair is in memory of Flight Sergeant Don Dixon and Sergeant Eric Livingston Newell.
The chair was originally given to St Ann’s Presbyterian Church, Paterson, but with the church being sold, the chair is now on permanent loan to the museum.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 24 Sep, 2010.