Meryl Naismith

Meryl has made the first post on her new genealogy blog "Ongoing search for lost or missing stories".

It is her response to the GeniMates profile questions.  Please hop on over to the post to meet my Google+ mate Meryl.

Congratulations on your entrance to the world of geneablogging, Meryl.

Sally Shine

I enjoy following Sally Shine on Twitter, @CanIFindThem, as she tweets about her current research projects and shares news of resources for Australian Genealogy. I love Sally's happy name that is matched by the sunny smile in her photo.

Thanks, Sally, for so willingly agreeing to complete a GeniMates profile.

Date  22 June 2011
Name  Sally Shine
Hometown  Trafalgar East, Victoria, Australia

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist?  Hobbyist

What is your day job?  Merchandiser

How long have you been chasing ancestors?  Abt 22 yrs

How did you get hooked on genealogy? 
My sister in law Kate Press was researching her lines and was well into Genealogy. After asking a few questions I was well hooked on my own family lines of research.
I remember in the first few months going to a talk and hearing the words "You need to know where you came from to know where you are going"

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?
I started like most others, in a town library with micro fiche. To save all the travel I purchased my own fiche, then cd versions, then books, maps and then travelled. I volunteered as a Librarian for abt 15 years at the LDS library in a local town. Answering questions makes you learn very quickly. I have done Genealogy talks to local group. An expert - no but the feedback from helping others is amazing and so rewarding. All queries make you look outside the box to find the answers.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
An expert - No. A puppy after a bone - yes. Latter Day Saints library work tought me to prove things more than 1 way and work backwards always.

I love working with Census pages and altering the search criteria.

Newspapers are also an amazing source of data. I set up a new database for each family that I help and need to fill in ALL the places, Bth, Mar, Dth & Burial. Did they travel, what is their occupation etc.
Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups.
My membership with Societies has changed over the years depending on what area I am researching, but the GSV is a long standing favourite. Volunteer work in a local LDS library was the most rewarding but is now closed. My years going to DPS (Dead Person Society) days were full of sharing idea. My volunteer work now is from home.

What are the lands of your ancestors? 
Gosh, before Australia & New Zealand, England, Ireland,Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland & Germany

What Family Names are you Researching?
ALLEN - DUNLOP _ GOULD - ARMSTRONG ... Northen Ireland.
BOASE - MURRAY - PAYNTER ...England
FISHER - New Zealand & Germany .
Mc GACHEN - MERCER - MAITLAND - FERGUSSON ...Scotland.
ROBINSON - BURGES ... England.
AUST / AUSTIN - PARROTT ... England & Wales
Mc CRAE - FRASER - ADAIR ...Scotland.
ROULSTON - OSBORN Ireland.
HOGBEN - KEMBER - BAX - WEEKS ... England.

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? 
I have some scallywags, several convicts. Also William Howard BOASE left a wife and chn in Eng and came to Aus with Elizabeth Mc GACHEN. The Mc GACHEN family has always had a pull on my thinking. I now sit researching with Alexander Mc GACHEN my GGG Grandfather 1791-1850 looking down on me. This picture was bought in a car boot sale then years later offered to me over the net. It took a year to get him here and yes he cost more than the car boot price.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? 
I have been lucky to have been to most already. The cobble stones of Edinburgh to trace the steps of the Mc GACHEN's, Edinburgh Castle to learn more on the Military lines. The Ancestral home of the Mc GACHENS at Dalwhat, Dumfriesshire. After 6 years I found the ALLEN home in Northern Ireland, and my cousin still lives there. In Aus, Blackwood is a favourite. To hear the family home was dragged from one side of the road to the other, as yes it sat lopsided.
Where else is there to go? Hunting Headstones - To photograph for later generations.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? 
All areas but I guess Census pages. They tell a tale of employment, relationships, areas of travel.

Newspapers online fill in amazing tit bits, bth, dth and marriages. Burials and where and by whome. Financial status. Who wore what to a wedding. It is endless.

Then the official registrations online to confirm data.

The sites I visit ofter are, Find My Past, Ancestry.com, TROVE, Papers past, and more.

Do you keep your genealogy files on paper?  Yes
Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer?  Yes

What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree? 
I have used Generations for years. I should upgrade but I now have this programme jumping hoops, so changing sound really hard.
I have an old versions of Family Tree Maker that I sometimes need to use to view another persons Gedcom.

Do you have your tree posted on the internet?  Yes

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?  Ancestry, Facebook, Genes Reunited, Geni, Twitter

Do you have a blog?  No

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? 

Cooking, Genealogy.
Being a domestic Goddess, Genealogy.
Gardener, Genealogy.
Country Women's Ass., Genealogy.
As you can see I love to seek and find :-)))




What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy?  Cooking

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?  Murder mystery

What is your personal philosophy in a few  words ? 
You need to know where you came from to know where you are going.
When you give it out it always comes back 10 fold.
Treat people that way you would like to be treated.
Good air in Bad air out.

If you have anything else to share please add it below.
Smile, Be happy, Remember those that have past, that is why I am here.

Carmel Reynen

Our newest GeniMate, Carmel has recently joined Twitter, to see what she has to say follow @CarmelReynen . Carmel was one of the first people to join the Australian Genealogists group on Genealogy Wise and has offered some good advice to members there. Since she joined up I have been keeping up with her via GenealogyWise and her blog..

Thanks to this very busy lady for submitting her profile to GeniMates.

Date  21 May 2011
Name  Carmel Reynen
Hometown  Haddon, Victoria, Australia

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What is your day job?  Enquiry officer in a call centre

How long have you been chasing ancestors?  33 years

How did you get hooked on genealogy? I believe it started at primary school when we did some study on the gold rush and I found I had gold mining ancestors. Also my grandmothers told stories.

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? No formal studies.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?  I often think I am not an expert. That is until I help someone with obvious things and they are so happy and cannot believe I was able to find things.
I find Victoria Australia is where most of my experience lies, but cemeteries, and looking at things in an ordered way. I have had people come to me saying so and so was a family member can you help me find out how? Well it is not starting at that person but yourself.

I guess it is all the experience that makes me an "expert" in many areas but definitely not all.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups. I am involved with the Ballarat and District Genealogical Society, in fact was an original member but left for a number of years because of work and family commitments. Now Editor of the quarterly newsletter "Link"
I have also been involved in the digitisation of Smythesdale Cemetery.
Have photographed many cemeteries now on line.
Have done a lot of Data Entry of Records for on line.
Helped many people, and attend Family History Days to assist.
Given talks at family history days.
I am also involved in a number of genealogical lists that are slowing now in popularity

What are the lands of your ancestors? England, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark,
my husband is Dutch

What Family Names are you Researching? Barwise, Woodhead, Walkeden, Nolan, Murphy, Butler, Johnson (Swedish!) Petersen,(Danish) Reynen (Reijnen, Dutch) Strybosch (Strijbosch Dutch) Royle, Fox, Mossop. just to name a few!

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? I have a number of very interesting ancestors, from convicts, councillors, pioneers, bigamists, etc. I could not really name a favourite but love it when I can find things on their lives which will bring them to life.
Newspapers are coming on line and it can be surprising what you can find.
I can say there are a couple I don't really like but think maybe there is something that will redeem their faults.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? All of them. I would like to go to St Bees in Cumbria, there is a house there that is still in the family and has been since at least 1548!

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? Birth Death and marriage indexes, newspapers, census, electoral rolls, wills, inquests.

Do you keep your genealogy files on paper? Yes
Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes

What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree? I use Family tree Maker and have done for years, my husband bought it for me for my birthday one year and I have continued to update it.
I also use Ancestry.com as I can easily share it all with Family and have found a number of others related either directly or with some who married into my family. They often have records I have not got and visa versa

Do you have your tree posted on the internet?  Yes
If Yes What is the URL?  Ancestry.com

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy? Ancestry, Facebook, GenealogyWise

Do you have a blog? Yes
What are your blogs' URLs? http://www.google.com/url?q=http://myfamilyhunt.blogspot.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2_E2qfvFc-Nwk3wVdUuEbxALGjHOw

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? I have 5 children, 6 Grandchildren (so far) and work 2 hrs travelling time from home. I do not really get time for other things, but want to travel at some stage.

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy? Family get togethers

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? Mysts of Avalon

What is your personal philosophy in a few  words ? To treat everyone as an individual and as they would treat me. I am not going to like everyone but I will most people I meet.

You never know who you may find you are related to.

If you have anything else to share please add it below.

Cheryl Bailey

Cheryl was one of the enthusiastic Australian genealogists with whom I conected on Google Wave. I was impressed by the amount of energy she put into that doomed project.  It is wonderful to see the Australian genealogy websites that she has produced  for the benefit of others.

Cheryl is one of our quiet achievers.

Date  22/5/2011
Name  Cheryl Bailey
Hometown  Toowoomba now living on the Mornington Peninsula

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist?  Hobbyist

What is your day job?  Retired

How long have you been chasing ancestors?  30 years

How did you get hooked on genealogy?  A cousin showed me a hand drawn family chart with only names on it and there was no father attached to my grandfather. After 30 years we still do not have 100 percent proof of the father.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? Tasmania

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups. Past member and indexer of the Tasmanian Family History Society, Genealogical Society of Queensland and the Queensland Family History Society.

What are the lands of your ancestors?  Orkney Isles, England, Australia

What Family Names are you Researching? Armstrong, Batey, Coombs, Cottenham, Curd, Dalton, Davison, Ellam, Embrey, Gammon, Gent, Heppel, Husthwaite, Irvine, Kaye, Kirsop, Leatheard, Louttit, Mellie, Metcalfe, Morley, Parsons, Pratt, Raspin, Ratcliffe, Raymant, Scarth, Skaife, Spence, Stokan, Varo, Winsby, Wood

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? James MORLEY because he has left a wealth of descendants who take a keen interest in the family history.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?  Withyham, East Sussex because I would like to get that same spiritual feeling as when I visited Buckland Cemetery, Tasmania in the 1970's before I was interested in Genealogy.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?  Family Search
Do you keep your genealogy files on paper?  Yes
Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer?  Yes

What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree?  IFamily for Leopard, PAF

Do you have your tree posted on the internet?  Yes
If Yes What is the URL?  http://aussiemandas.familytreeguide.com/tree_index.php

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?  Ancestry, Facebook, GenealogyWise, Geni, LinkedIn, Twitter, Other

Do you have a blog?  Several
What are your blogs' URLs?  http://sites.google.com/site/aussiemandas/, http://aussiemandasancestry.wordpress.com/

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?  Photography, Reading, Internet Researcher, Scrapbooking

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy?  Facebook

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?  Arthur Mee's Children's Encyclopedia

What is your personal philosophy in a few  words ?  To help and encourage others and to be grateful for all blessings that come my way.

If you have anything else to share please add it below. Also have the following:

a website devoted to the passengers of the "Oriental" which landed at Hobart, Tasmania in 1859. http://sites.google.com/site/oriental1859immigrants

a website "Tasanclin" dealing with resources and help. https://sites.google.com/site/tasanclin/

Andrew Kemp

"Hi there Geniaus,

I see we share a common interest in the Westbrook line. Have we conversed before?" was the first communication I had from Andrew on Genealogywise.  I replied to Andrew and we exchanged some files.

When Google Wave was in beta I was able to get some invitations, one of these I gave to Andrew who was keen on trying out this new product. Sadly Google Wave was'nt a success. I note, however that Andrew continues to be involved with a number of social networking sites.

Thanks, Andrew, for responding to my request for a GeniMates profile. I hope that it may lead to more connections with Kemps for you.

Date 2 March 2011

Name Andrew Kemp

Hometown  Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist?  Avid Hobbyist

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?

No formal studies - self trained in all areas

How did you get hooked on genealogy?

As a child I asked questions about my family and my grandparents were always elusive. Family rumor was of royalty in the past, so the spark was lit.

Began dabbling in family history amongst the family in early 90's, but when the internet started in Australia I decided to commence chasing ancestor's in earnest.

What is your day job?
IT Manager

How long have you been chasing ancestors?

18+ years
 

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?

No formal expertise, however have learned a number of tricks along the way which I use both myself and try to assist others.
 

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups

Member of the Genealogical Society of Victoria (GSV)
Previously member of Australian Institute of Genealogists (AIGS) and Victorian Genealogists Using MicroComputers (VicGUM)

What are the lands of your ancestors?

Scotland
Ireland
England
 

What Family Names are you Researching?

Conducting a one-name study of KEMP and related families
Also researching Westbrook, McErvale, Welsh, Dethridge, Ransom, Morey and Murphy
 

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?

All of them - they all have a story to be told.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?

Scotland - feel it in my bones every time I hear the bagpipes or accent
Ireland - beautiful and there is a link there somewhere.
 

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?

The Internet - so much out there now and so many other genealogists
 

Do you keep your genealogy files on paper? No

Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes

What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree?

I use and thoroughly recommend RootsMagic (www.rootsmagic.com)

Trial version available free on www.rootsmagic.com

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes

If Yes What is the URL?

http://www.kempfamilyhistory.com

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?

Ancestry, Facebook, GenealogyWise, Genes Reunited, Geni, MyHeritage , Twitter, WeRelate

Do you have a blog ? No

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?

Reading, Movies, Family
 

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy?

Family
 

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?

Lord of the Rings
 

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?

Help others as you would like them to help you

Liz Pidgeon

Australian librarian, Liz Pidgeon, is involved in family and local history in both her personal and working life. I have been following Liz's tweets and blogs for a couple of years and also know her through her membership of GenealogyWise.

 

From reading her posts and contributions I surmise that Liz is a very modest lady who has a breadth of experience in her fields of expertise.

 

I am so pleased that she was able to take time out of her busy schedule to submit a profile to Genimates. I hope that, one day soon I might meet her in the flesh.

 

Thanks, Liz.

Date  March 1, 2011

Name  Liz Pidgeon

Hometown Melbourne, Australia

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?

Bachelor of Arts (Major Studies in Librarianship)
Introduction to Archives
Answering Family History Enquiries in Libraries and Information Centres (online course)
Learning 2.0 AKA 23 things (online course relating to Web 2.0) and part 2 of same course
Attended various speakers and conferences

How did you get hooked on genealogy?

I was always interested when I was younger and enjoyed talking to my maternal Grandmother about her life. It was not until I was on maternity leave with my third child and I got the internet at home and my husband also became interested in his family history that I then got hooked.

What is your day job?

Local and Family History Librarian

How long have you been chasing ancestors?

13 years officially

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?

I do not claim to have any expertise, but if pressed I would say the state of Victoria.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups

I am a member of the Genealogical Society of Victoria, the Royal Historical Society of Victoria and other local history groups, of which one I maintain the website : www.kilmorehistory.info

What are the lands of your ancestors?

My pioneer ancestors hail from England, Scotland and Ireland. I also have relatives in New Zealand.

What Family Names are you Researching?

ALBINS/ALBANS 1822 + Lincoln, England
ALBINS/ALBANS 1852+ Timor, Vic.
BYRNE 1880 Vic.
CAMM Tas & Vic.
CHARKER/CHALKER 1797+
COMANS, 1850+ Bylands, Vic.
FREEMAN, 1780+ Kent, England
GOOD 1835+ MLN, Scotland
GOOD 1886+ New Zealand
GROSE Pre 1873 Cornwall, England
GROSE 1873+ Qld & Vic.
HOLMES 1903 + Birchip, Casterton, Vic.
HUMPHRIES 1915+ Casterton, Vic.
JAMES 1827+ CON, England
KEANE 1830 + Limerick, Ireland
KENNEDY, 1852+ Bylands, Vic.
KENNEDY 1942 Lockhart, NSW
KOEHLER 1790 + Ireland
LEES, 1787+ Stafford, England
McANDREW 1865+ Tourello, Vic
NEWBORN 1924 Northcote, Vic.
NORRIS 1818+ Kent, England
O'BRIEN 1854+ Kilmore, Shepparton, Vic.
O'GRADY 1793+ Dublin, Ireland
O'MEARA 1860+ Geelong, Vic.
OVER 1906 England and India
PARSONS 1776+ Surrey, England
PIDGEON 1770+ Wicklow, Ireland
PIDGEON, 1841 + Australia
POPE 1820+ Devon, England
PROUD 1850+ NY, USA
ROBERTS, 1788+ YKS, England
ROBERTS 1855 + Castlemaine, Vic.
RYAN 1860+ Geelong & Donald, Vic
RYAN 1862+ Pyalong, Birchip, Mildura, Vic. Some unconnected families
SCOTT 1780+ Hull, Yorkshire, England
SIM 1887+ Corack & Geelong, Vic.
SQUIRES Bef 1809 Surrey, England
SQUIRES, 1830 + Tas & Vic.
STEVENS, 1898+ Dunedin NZ
STEVENS 1857+ Fryerstown, Vic
TURNBALL/TURNBULL 1888+ Tas, Aus & NZ
WEBBER, 1802+ DEV, England
WHITE, 1800-1850, East Looe, Cornwall 1800 - 1850
WHITE, 1852+ Te Aroha & Hawera, NZ

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?

My maternal Grandmother Annie Murray COMANS (nee GOOD). My Nana, she is my favourite because aside from my parents she is one ancestor I knew. Her family have been interesting to research, with origins in Scotland. Annie herself was born on the WA goldfields and her twin siblings were later born in Pretoria South Africa. Before her Dad married he had also spent time in NZ.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?

Edinburgh, Scotland. It looks like a beautiful city. My GOOD and RAE ancestors were from there and there is a still an area (signposted) known as "Good's Corner" which I would love to visit one day.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?

I love the TROVE website the gateway out of the National Library of Australia at http://trove.nla.gov.au/. In particular the "digitised newspapers and more" database. It has more Victorian content in recent weeks and my husband's father illustrated for "The Australian Women's Weekly" which has also been digitised. We are very fortunate in Australia to have so many wonderful resources online to explore.

Do you keep your genealogy files on paper?  Yes

Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes

What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree?

I use and recommend Legacy.

The standard editon is available as a free downnload at http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/
 

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes

If Yes What is the URL?

http://www.wepidgeon.com/home.htm

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?

Ancestry, Facebook, GenealogyWise, LinkedIn, Twitter @infolass, @genelass

Do you have a blog? Several

What are your blogs' URLs?

http://ypgenealogy.blogspot.com/ http://yplocalhistory.blogspot.com


What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?
I am a Creative Memories consultant and facilitate workshops for people to work on their album projects, which I also enjoy doing myself.
I collect postcards (www.postcrossing.com) and enjoy "op shopping"
I enjoy reading and movies.
I am also a Mum to three teenage children.

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy?

Scrapbooking

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?

Too many. I enjoy biographies and autobiographies but I suppose that it related to genealogy! This charnges all the time. I would recommend "Bridie's Fire" by Kirsty Murray although again genealogy related because it is fiction set in historical Melbourne.

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?

Be the best person you can be.

If you have anything else to share please add it below
I am fortunate to get paid for my love of family history research in my role as a family and local history librarian, I enjoy helping new researchers and providing advice when I can.

Talk to all and any elderly relatives today!
Identify - and tell the story behind your photos.
Document your own life story.
Share you research with others - tell the story
Do not presume that your descendants will not eventually be interested in your research - identify a young family member who can eventually be a custodian for your research and document that.

Enjoy the journey and connect with other researchers.