News - March 2025
NEWS - MARCH 2025
Tuesday 18 March - 7:30 pm General Meeting
VENUE: Old Sunday School, St Johns Park Precinct
GUEST SPEAKER: Ros Escott
TOPIC: WHEN DNA SUGGESTS TASMANIA ABORIGINAL ANCESTRY
Conventional wisdom says that autosomal DNA cannot be used to trace distant Tasmanian Aboriginal Ancestry, but more recent research suggests that sometimes it may persist through the generations. In this presentation, Ros will show us how she traced one woman's family history back to the only possible source of the small amount of Aboriginal DNA showing in her ethnicity percentages. It is a fascinating tale set in early Van Diemen's Land history.
Ros has a long-standing interest in using DNA to support family history research. She has been convenor of the Hobart Branch's DNA Interest Group since its inception in 2015, as well as being the current Branch President. In her spare time, she helps people with their DNA mysteries and this has taken her on some interesting journeys into the past.
More for Your Diary
Thu 20 Mar - 10am Hobart Committee
VENUE: Branch Library, Bellerive
Thu 20 Mar - 1:30pm DNA Interest Group
VENUE: St Marks Church Hall, Scott Street, Bellerive
Thu 27 Mar - 2pm Library Committee
VENUE: Branch Library, Bellerive
***Sat 12 Apr - 2pm Hobart Branch Annual General Meeting
VENUE: St Marks Church Hall, Scott Street, Bellerive
SPEAKER: Richie Woolley
TOPIC: More Recherche Bay Archaeology
Tue 15 Apr - No Meeting
Hobart Branch AGM: Saturday 12 April 2025
- The library will be closed to members and the general public on this afternoon.
- There will be no meeting on the third Tuesday of April.
- A book sale will be held after the meeting.
From Your Branch President
New Office Manager
We are very pleased to welcome Tanya Tisdale to our Branch volunteer team, as our new Office Manager. Tanya brings to the role extensive experience in business management as well as being a friendly, people person. She will be filling the gap that was sadly left by Maurice, although her role will be a bit different. She will be coming in at various times while she familiarises herself with what we do and who we are, so introduce yourself if you are in the library while she is there.
Interesting Fact: Tanya knew Maurice from her business at Eastlands, where he used to order and buy books.
Tasmanian Ancestry needs you!
This is your journal, so please contribute to it. We need more contributions from members - they don't have to be a family saga and can be quite short. Tell us about an interesting Tasmanian event which might be relevant to your or some other member's family. Or a ghost town connected to your family. What's your most treasured heirloom's history? What job that no longer exists did a younger you or an ancestor do? A quirky story from your family's past, or an amazing coincidence that led to a breakthrough in your family history research - we have all had those moments of serendipity. Guidelines are in every copy of the journal, but don't be put off submitting if your story doesn't quite fit the guidelines.
Ros Escott president@hobart.tasfhs.org
Comprehensive Subject Index (CSI) Project
Do you have some spare time and access to a computer with Excel software? The Society is currently looking for volunteers to help with its CSI project, which aims to consolidate the information contained in the books in our library into a single searchable database. This involves transcribing the index in a particular book into an Excel spreadsheet, which is then passed on to the project co-ordinator to add to the database. If you think you can help, or you would like more information about the process, please email secretary@hobart.tasfhs.org .
Celebrate Women's History Month at Cascades Female Factory
Spinning & Weaving Drop-in Session
Sun 16 March, 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Attendance is free with site entry
Try your hand at spinning and weaving with members of the Handweavers, Spinners, and Dyers Guild of Tasmania.
Spinning and preparing wool for weaving were some of the tasks convict women were expected to carry out during their time at the Cascades Female Factory.
Visible Mending with Nat Mendham
Sun 30 March, 2.30 - 4.30 pm
Attendance is free but registration is required. Places strictly limited.
https://femalefactory.org.au/event/visible-mending-with-nat-mendham/
Learn about repairing with Hobart creative Nat Mendham and discover how to add story and meaning to your clothing through the act of mending. Nat will share different techniques and show how to repair clothing using affordable materials and tools.
FCRC Seminar: Sunday 4 May 2025.
Program is now available and registration open - more information here
Maree's Mutterings
'The Former Queenborough Cemetery-Exhumations, Identifications and Re-interments'
Archaeologist Brad Williams is speaking on 'The Former Queenborough Cemetery-Exhumations, Identifications and Re-interments' only to Sandy Bay Historical Society, Inc and Hobart Town (1804) First Settlers Assoc., in the coming month.
Hobart Town (1804) First Settler's Association
Meeting: Tuesday 1 st April 2025 at 10 am.
HTFS meet at the Moonah Community Centre, 7 Gormanston Road, off street parking is available and visitors are welcome. Morning tea is offered after the meeting.
RSVP 12 noon Saturday 30 March to Secretary: secretary@htfs.org.au (preferred) or SMS to 0411 120 011. When replying please add which history group you belong to.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HobartTownFirstSettlersAssociation
Library Accessions 2025
The following items were accessioned during February 2025
Books
D.Coad Pioneers of Petchey's Bay, Wattle Grove
& Lower Wattle Grove
Q 994.62 COA
N.Shakespeare In Tasmania 994.6 SHA
J.Woodberrry Battery Point Tasmania Sketchbook 994.61 WOO
J.Woodberry Historic Hobart Sketchbook 994.61 WOO
E.Bowring Sketches in Early Tasmania and Victoria 919.46 BOW
J.Giles The Compleat Parish officer Q 352.0942 GIL
Sydney Gazette Sydney Gazette and N.S.W. Advertiser Q 072 SYD
H.Styles Olivia Gascoigne and the last Baronet Q 929.2 GAS
Buckinghamshire F.H.S. Buckinghamshire Parish Registers Hoggeston All
Saints
929.3209425 BUC
P.Pontet Ancestral Research in France 929.30944
A.Cirket Index of Bedfordshire Probate Records 1485-1858 929.33 CIR
* Denotes complimentary or donated item