Maitland and District Historical Society

The Annual General Meeting of Maitland and District Historical Society Inc. was held on 18 March 2014.

 

A new committee was elected and these are the successful applicants:

 

President                            Ruth Trappel

First Vice President            Peter Smith

Second Vice President       Keith Cockburn

Secretary                            Tom Skelding

Treasurer                            Kevin Short

Recorder                             Judy Nicholson

Publicity Officer                 Val Rudkin

Bulletin Editor                    Judy Nicholson

Research Coordinators      Judy Nicholson, Val Rudkin, Ziggy Szyda

Technical Officer               UNFILLED

Committee                         Adele Cockburn, Elizabeth Martin

Public Officer                     Dennis Martin

Hon. Auditor                       Jennifer O’Neill

Society of Australian Genealogists

CALENDAR - April

A chronological list of all activities is now available for online viewing and bookings here. You can also phone Monday to Saturday during office hours on 9247 3953 or book over the desk during library hours Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday.

All activities are held at Richmond Villa, 120 Kent Street unless otherwise specified.

• Thursday 3 April (10.30am - 12.30pm) - Getting Started on Your Family History - Members Only
  For new members with no family history research experience. Learn the basics of how to start researching, what to do, and where to find and ask for help. Members Only. Bookings Essential and limited to 10. Cost $10.00.
• Friday 4 April (10.30am - 12.30pm) - Hands On - SAG Library Electronic Resources & catalogue tips
  THIS SESSION HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM 21 MARCH. Held at 2/379 Kent Street Sydney. Our librarian will show you how to locate & use the many databases contained within the Electronic Resources section of the SAG library computers and give tips on effective searching of the library catalogue. You never know what you might discover! Limited to 14. Presenter - Lorraine Brothers. Bookings essential. $30 ($45 non-members).
• Saturday 5 April (10.30am - 12.30pm) - Hill End & Tambaroora Gathering Group and its resources
  Established in the 1930s this family history group has researched and compiled a considerable amount of detail from various sources about your goldfield ancestors. It has culminated in printed publications and the formation of a website which will help you understand the living conditions of this unique district.Established in the 1930s this family history group has researched and compiled a considerable amount of detail from various sources about your goldfield ancestors. It has culminated in printed publications and the formation of a website which will help you understand the living conditions of this unique district. Presenter: Lorraine Purcell. Bookings essential. $20 ($30 non-members).
• Saturday 5 April (1.30pm - 3.30pm) - Finding Margaret - a Hill End Case Study
  Margaret King was a servant in Hill End who died in 1872 and was buried in Tambaroora Cemetery in an unmarked grave. Using the clues contained in two letters written by Margaret and produced at her coronial inquest and reproduced in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, Lorraine Purcell will demonstrate the amazing amount of information that can be found about Margaret’s poignant life within the sources covered in her lecture held in the morning on the Hill End and Tambaroora goldfields. Presenter - Lorraine Purcell. Bookings essential. $20 ($30 non-members).
• Tuesday 8 April (8.00pm - 9.00pm AEST) - Webinar - Getting the Most Out of FamilySearch
  When Claire Brisson-Banks was in Sydney in 2013 she shared some great tips with our members for using this website. Returning via a webinar from Salt Lake City, she will share more ideas on using www.familysearch.org Presenter - Claire Brisson-Banks. Bookings essential and limited to SAG members only. Price $10.00.
• Thursday 10 April (10.30am - 12.30pm) - Writing Discussion Group - Appendices
  Other than the index, what else goes in the back of the book? Find out what you can put in as an appendix and why. Bookings Essential. $8 ($12 non-members).
• Friday 11 April (10.30am - 12.30pm) - Hands On - Staffordshire, Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire
  Join us at 379 Kent Street for this session which will highlight selected online sources and other types of material available for these three counties and where they can be found in the SAG library. The session includes an hour of research time at the library to consult the county records which have been featured. Presenters - Joan Healy & Philippa Garnsey. Bookings essential and limited to 14. $30 ($45 non-members).
• Saturday 12 April (10.30am - 12.30pm) - Charting Your Family Tree
  This practical session will introduce methods and guidelines used in the construction of family history charts, or pedigrees. Many family history software packages are very poor at producing standard drop line pedigree charts and knowing how to arrange information and set out a clear and concise chart is a useful skill for all researchers. Presenter: Jeremy Palmer. Bookings essential. $20 ($30 non-members).
• Wednesday 30 April (8.00pm - 9.00pm AEST) - Webinar - Sydney's Cemeteries
  Join Martyn Killion as he looks at Sydney’s major cemeteries and their records, with particular emphasis on what you can find from home. Bookings essential and limited to SAG members only. Price $10.00.

End for Kurri’s historic hall

From the Maitland Mercury report:

The 100-year-old Kurri Kurri Drill Hall was demolished during the latter part of 2013 to make way for a proposed medical centre. 

It was during the demolition that the old building saw its centennial anniversary, but no one seemed to notice. 

Once it was gone, questions were asked. How old was the building? And when and why was it built?

 

Full report available at Maitland Mercury, March 29, 2014. 

Hunter Councils has been going for nearly 60 years

From the Maitland Mercury report:

Hunter Councils has achieved many things for the region since it was formed 59 years ago, according to Maitland mayor Peter Blackmore.

The organisation, which formed in response to disastrous floods in the region in 1955, marked the beginning of its 60th year on Thursday with a board meeting at Thornton.

 

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, March 28, 2014.

Les Darcy fan lands US soap acting role

From the Maitland Mercury report:

The man who is determined to bring the story of Maitland boxing legend Les Darcy to the masses has scored a ­recurring role on one of America’s longest running medical dramas.

Zac Garred has been cast as new age hippy Levi in the daytime soap General Hospital with his first episode to air on April 3.

 

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, March 26, 2014.

East Maitland CWA celebrates 64 years

From the Maitland Mercury report:

There was a good roll up for the East Maitland CWA 64th anniversary celebrations on Saturday.

A bush bash, barbecue lunch, bush poetry and Aussie songs were some of the entertainment on the day.

 

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, March 25, 2014.

Historic trail just the ticket for bike track to link Maitland, Cessnock and Newcastle

From the Maitland Mercury report:

Lush bushland paints a spectacular backdrop to a planned off-road cycle path that would link Maitland, Cessnock and Newcastle.

The Richmond Vale Rail line would form a large part of the path, complete with 100-year-old trestle bridges and tunnels once used to haul coal.

“This will be seen as an international tourist attraction one day,” Aberglasslyn man and proponent David Atkinson said.

 

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, March 13, 2014.

Two-storey office block approved for former inn site at Morpeth

From the Maitland Mercury report:

Original property deeds prove there are archeological relics at the former Anlaby’s Inn site in Morpeth, according to heritage ­stonemason Darryl Lobsey.

Mr Lobsey said deeds for the Swan Street site showed a sandstone retaining wall and railway platform had existed on the land as early as the 1830s.

Councillors approved plans for a 

two-storey office block at the site last night despite Mr Lobsey’s plea for them to consider the new evidence.

He obtained the deeds from NSW Land and Property Information yesterday, hours before councillors voted on the development ­application.

“The deeds go back to the original sale in 1831,” he said.

“On the deeds there is a site plan that shows the hotel and the retaining wall, which were also identified on the 1862 railway plan.”

 

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, March 12, 2014.

Indigenous artefacts linked to historic Glebe Paddock

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Maitland's Citizen of the Year urges caution over the proposed rezoning of Glebe Paddock in East Maitland.

Local Aboriginal man Lance Murray said he believed the site and surrounding area was sacred to thousands of indigenous Australians before European settlement in the Hunter.

Mr Murray, a collector of Aboriginal artefacts, said one of his friends found 20 ancient grooving stones at Glebe Paddock recently. 

 

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, March 11, 2014.

Heritage protection for city’s Jewish cemetery

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Maitland Jewish Cemetery has been named on the State Heritage Register

The Louth Park Road site is one of three Jewish cemeteries in NSW.

Along with a burial ground in Goulburn it is one of only two Jewish cemeteries operating in the state.

The heritage register legally protects historically significant sites from threats such as development.

It means the Heritage Council of NSW will have a say on any major works ­proposed for the site in the future.

Environment and Heritage Minister, and Maitland MP, Robyn Parker announced the site’s heritage listing at a community open day yesterday.

 

Full article available at: Maitland Mercury, March 10, 2014.

Local Treasures : Newcastle’s Public Infrastructure in 1829

Gionni Di Gravio, Archivist of the University of Newcastle and Dr Ann Hardy discuss their recent trip to NSW State Records to photograph three bundles of hitherto lost documents of Newcastle in the late 1820s and early 1830s.

The documents relate to an inventory of public buildings in the township that were being readied for what appears to have been the first privatisation prior to the Australian Agricultural Company take over of the Government Mines.
They provide a digitised copy and transcription of one of these documents, and the importance of this information to the creation of the 3D early Newcastle model currently being constructed by artist Charles Martin for the University’s Coal River Working Party.”

Grossmann House activities and events

The Friends of Grossmann House welcome their valued friends to the first part of a new year of exciting events. All of our fundraising events go towards the ongoing upkeep of the National Trust’s Maitland properties.

 You can support the National Trust in its endeavours to preserve our heritage for future generations, by becoming a National Trust member;  becoming a very welcome volunteer with the Friends of Grossmann House; and by participating in our fundraising events.

·        Saturday March 29, 2014 ,1.00 – 4.00, doll expert Lin Fitz-Gibbon will be at Brough House. Bring your treasured dolls and teddy bears for the afternoon for advice on repairs and valuation. $20.00/ $15.00 National Trust members, includes afternoon tea. Phone :  Helen  49319046.

Society of Australian Genealogists

CALENDAR - March

A chronological list of all activities is now available for online viewing and bookings here. You can also phone Monday to Saturday during office hours on 9247 3953 or book over the desk during library hours Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday.

All activities are held at Richmond Villa, 120 Kent Street unless otherwise specified.

Saturday 15 March (10.30am - 12.30pm) - 'Elusive Ancestors' - breaking down those brick walls using NSW State Records
Do you have gaps in your knowledge of the lives your ancestors lived or did they just disappear? We will look at sources for `missing persons', children in care, convict & gaol records. Hear tips and tactics for those arrivals or deaths you cannot find. Presenter: Gail Davis, State Records NSW. Bookings essential. $20 ($30 non-members).

Saturday 15 March (1.30pm - 3.30pm) - Archives, Archives, Everywhere
Join us as we look at how to successfully find the NSW State archives material for your research. We will look at using the State Records’ website, catalogues and reading room to make the most of your precious research time! Presenter: Martyn Killion. Bookings essential. $20 ($30 non-members).

Saturday 22 March (10.30am - 12.30pm) - Me...use a map! Why?
Maps record the world in which our forebears lived. Did they live in, near to, or far from a village or town? What facilities did they enjoy, such as water, food and travel possibilities? What was the neighbourhood like - close to seaside, forests, mountains, or even a border with another country? What records are there of land ownership or leasing? The Society has a substantial and varied collection of maps, and the talk will dwell on their usefulness for family history as well as their cultural and artistic qualities.Maps record the world in which our forebears lived. Did they live in, near to, or far from a village or town? What facilities did they enjoy, such as water, food and travel possibilities? What was the neighbourhood like - close to seaside, forests, mountains, or even a border with another country? What records are there of land ownership or leasing? The Society has a substantial and varied collection of maps, and the talk will dwell on their usefulness for family history as well as their cultural and artistic qualities. Presenter - Alan Day. Bookings essential. $20 ($30 non-members).

Thursday 27 March (10.30am - 12.30pm) - Getting Started on Your Family History - Members Only
For new members with no family history research experience. Learn the basics of how to start researching, what to do, and where to find and ask for help. Members Only. Bookings Essential and limited to 10. Cost $10.00.

Thursday 27 March (8.00pm - 9.00pm AEST) - Webinar - NSW Probate Packets & Deceased Estate Files
Presenter: Christine Yeats. Join us for an in-depth look at these records, which can give wonderful insights into your ancestor’s belongings and property. Bookings essential and limited to SAG members only. Price $10.00.

Paterson village history preserved

From the Maitland Mercury report:

In the autumn of 1973 a small group of Paterson folk gathered to form a society in preservation of their village.

This weekend the Paterson Historical Society will pay tribute to the founders of the society – then known as the Paterson Progress Society – and celebrate four decades of hard work, vision and foresight.

“It is only through the generosity of local people who collect artefacts, documents and information that the museum has thrived,” ­society president Dr Cameron Archer said.

 

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, March 7, 2014.

Hush Boutique opens on the old Maitland Mercury corner

From the Maitland Mercury report:

On Thursday the Mercury told the story of two women - Karen Meyn and Mary-Jane Foreman – both mothers of three who have decided to breathe new life into a former butcher’s shop that has stood vacant for eight years.

They have opened Hush Boutique, a women’s clothing store on the old Maitland Mercury corner.
Local historian Peter Bogan takes a look at the colourful history of the shop. 

The butcher shop in Hunter Street, Maitland (corner of Odd Street) dates back to at least early 1868.

 

Full article by Peter Bogan available at Maitland Mercury, March 1, 2014

Residents irate over rezoning of Glebe Paddock

From the Maitland Mercury report:

Residents will rally against the planned rezoning of Glebe Paddock in East Maitland at a public meeting next week.

Developers have lodged a planning proposal with Maitland City Council to put 40 residential lots at the Wallis Street site.

Glebe Heritage Preservation Group has opposed plans to rezone the land from rural to residential to allow the lots to be developed.

In a submission to council, obtained by the Mercury, the group stated rezoning the land would threaten the flora, fauna, culture and heritage of the site.

The submission urged council to preserve Glebe Paddock because it was next to the historic Glebe Burial Ground and provides a visual link from the burial ground and other significant buildings to the East Maitland township.

 

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Feb. 28, 2014.

Royal Australian Histoical Society - Mitchell Library

In our last eNews we mentioned the petition about changes to the Mitchell Library click here. After just over two weeks the petition has gained over 7,000 signatures, including some very well known historians and writers along with concerned citizens. In response the library has now issued a list of questions and answers which has been posted on their website click here.

Last week we added David Scott Mitchell’s will to our Facebook page and within 24 hours over 750 people had looked at it. Some of the provisions of the will include housing the Mitchell Library in ‘a special wing or set of rooms’ and a stipulation that the Library ‘be permanently kept separately from and so as to avoid intermixture at any time with any other books or collection’. The current situation would seem to be at variance with these provisions. To read this important document for yourself click here.