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Local Studies Meeting State Library of New South Wales 20 October 2009

Present: Geoff Potter (Gosford), Donna Braye, Mary Lou Byrne (Mosman), Clinton Johnston (Kogarah), Neil Chippendale (Hornsby), Michelle Maunder (Mudgee), Kimberly O'Sullivan Steward (Waverley), Tina Graham (Warringah), Sarah Thompson (Mona Vale), Stephen Coppins (Holroyd), Kirsten Broderick (Rockdale), Mandy Keevil (Ashfield), Lynn Bonomini (Southern Tablelands), Rose Collins, Ken Klippel (Marrickville), Michelle Goldsmith (Wyong), Andrea Seifert (Canada Bay), Leanne Webster (Kiama), Joan Rowland (Ku-ring-gai), John Johnson (Willoughby), Jane Britten (Woollahra), Mala Scorse, Georgina Keep (Randwick), Chris King, Catherine (Canterbury), Jennifer Madden (Bankstown), Kay (Lithgow), Julie (Hurstville), Amie Zar, Alison, Bruce Carter (Leichhardt), Ellen Forsyth (State Library). Apologies: David Sansome (Canada Bay), Kerry Counsell, (Willoughby), Angela Phippen (Ryde), Noelene Pullen (Hills Shire), Marilyn Gallo (Fairfield), Derri Marshall (Shoalhaven)

Presentation on Sources of NSW Land Information for Historians and Genealogists. Helen provided a good overview of the historical background to land records and an introduction to the type of records encountered in land research. Her use of the appropriate terminology enabled those attending to familiarise themselves with the jargon and her hand out will no doubt be of great use.

Heather presented an overview of the primary records held at the SAG including personal collections, research files, family tree charts, photographs, newspaper clippings, parish registers etc. Resources such as the St Joseph’s Building Society Papers are valuable as they contain materials relating to many Sydney suburbs and relevant family history information. For example a rare log book maintained by an Eastern Suburbs medical practitioner, at the turn of the century, included interesting information on patient visits and treatments.

a rundown on the current status of the subdivision maps and plans held by the SLNSW and outlined plans to make copies available for purchase in the near future.

spoke of his job exchange at Surrey Public Libraries, British Columbia. He worked at the branch which specialised in family history and gave an idea of the range of resources and programs. He also had the opportunity to act as branch manager gaining a valuable insight into other aspects of public library work.

Geoff Potter has written the Local Studies module which is now ready to be placed on ref-ex. The aim is to offer a guide for those who have just commenced working as Local Studies Librarians or those librarians required to handle local studies enquires. The web address is http://referenceandinformationservices.wikifoundry.com/page/Local+Studies?mail=1000

held on 16 June 2009 was an excellent and informative outing.

Those attending reported that the theme of this year’s History Week was very popular with the public. They were reminded that History Week and Heritage Festival events are a great opportunity to ‘show and tell” and now the ideal place for such sharing is the Local Studies wiki.

www2.sl.nsw.gov.au/local history/dirctory.cfm. compiled over five years ago is due for a reassessment. The relevance of this document was discussed and it was decided the most suitable way to keep it up-to-date was to place it on the Local Studies wiki. This would require those responsible for each Local Studies service to maintain current listings of their collection. Ellen will look at ways of tagging the site.

Prior to this meeting a request for nominations to join the organising committee in 2010 was placed on the ALIA e-list and LS wiki. As there had been no response nominations were sought from those present. It was suggested and agreed that Geoff Potter and Donna Braye remain on the committee. John Johnson currently at Willoughby volunteered to join the committee.

These will continue as one day events with speakers in the morning and a general meeting in the afternoon. The first meeting is proposed to be held on the Central Coast on A Tuesday in March – the date will be announced early 2010. The topics will focus on disasters and disaster planning and include those who have been involved in flood and fire salvage of materials in Victoria and NSW.

A reminder

It’s worth remembering that this is your group and please feel free to make suggestions as to topics/events/tours you would like during 2010.