Meetings
Lake Macquarie Family History Group Inc.

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Acknowledgement

The Group meets on the land of the Awabakal people and we acknowledge their past occupation of the Country. The Awabakal people are those Aboriginal Australians who identify with or are descended from the Awabakal tribe and its clans and we pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. In their language, awaba was the word for Lake Macquarie.

Welcome

A warm welcome is extended to all those interested in family history and associated research. Casual visitors making use of the Group's resources and facilities are requested to make a donation and returning visitors are encouraged to join the Group.

Location

Monthly meetings are held at the Marmong Point Community Hall. This building is located at 31B George Street, Marmong Point in a park setting opposite the waterfront of Lake Macquarie. The hall has a kitchen, provision for access for disabled people and on site amenities are available. Carparking is on site and in the street.

Date and Time

Meetings of the Lake Macquarie Family History Group are held on the third Saturday of each month except for December meetings which are held on the second Saturday. The venue is open for the use of resources from 10.00 am and meetings commence at 12.30 pm. Resources are available for use until at least 4.00 pm.

The hall is also open for access to resources and research on the first Wednesday of each month from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm or later if arranged beforehand.

How to get there

Marmong Point is located on the western side of Lake Macquarie mid way between Edgeworth and Toronto. If you are travelling south turn left at the Booragul roundabout or turn right at the Fennell Bay traffic lights if you are travelling north.

Guest Speakers & Workshops

People with expertise in a variety of subjects regularly attend meetings as guest speakers. Seminars and workshops are held periodically so as to provide a forum for members and visitors to expand their knowledge and expertise in respect of various resources and their individual research skills.

Mike Scanlon - hidden Lake Macquarie places and characters

Vicki Osborn and female convicts of the Hunter Valley area

Peter Moore - Are birth certificates accurate and how he changed his

Amelia Young outlining the legal and ethical implications in the use of DNA

Andrew Redfern - the smart use of AI in your family history research

Marie Hughes outlining the history of the Hughes pottery in Newcastle

Rosemary Rope addressing convict clothing in early Australian colonial times

Benita Parker and Terri Cameron speaking on West Wallsend and the Museum

Terry Collins speaking on local ship building, ship builders and ship wrecks

Christine Yeats from RAHS - researching crimes & misdemeanours & locals

Allison Trindall, a Gamilaroi woman, with 20 years experience researching families

Julie Keating speaking about women in the 1800's including some notable locals

Anthony Tietze, keeping us alive about first aid and the use of defibrillators

Jane Ison, detailing her research on the Newcastle Industrial School for Girls

Scott Bevan, author of The Lake, his book about our splendid sheet of water

Jan Butcher detailed how she used a scatter gun to research her ancestor

Rick Pointon, a key player in local 'rock and roll' history, tells all

Bob Atkins giving a public and 'behind the scenes' look of the Ryerson Index

Dr Jennifer Debenham : Documenting frontier massacres in Colonial Australia

Gary Smith walking listeners through the history of the 57th Regt. of Foot

Sister Elizabeth Hellwig takling on the Dominican Sisters from Ireland 1867

Maria Northcote outlined conventional and quirky Irish research experiences

Richard O'Brien former Irish ambassador spoke on Irish orphan girls immigration

Daphne Appleby on her experience as a Fairbridge Farm School student

Keith Davey, educator & author on his recent trip to Indian National Parks

Gregory Powell, bushranger and outlaw author, holding everyones attention

Vicki Eldridge, genealogists and researcher helping members with ideas

Prof. John Ramsland, Newcastle Uni on Arthur Wheen - World War 1 Hero

Christine Bramble author of Sisters of the Valley : First World War Nurses

Aubrey Brooks - Newcastle Industrial Heritage Assn - BHP local steel making

John Cann of State Records talks on record gems not available on-line

Australia's Oldest House author Sue Rosen outlining her research

Group member Bill Storer showing us where to aim our military research

Patrick Callaghan - how he is recreating Old Balmain Catholic Cemetery details

Sylvia & Greg Ray - the how & why of their book Newcastle the Missing Years

Return by Paul Parton from FamilySearch discussing what's new since his last visit

2NC ABC radio presenter Carol Duncan discussing her family research

Shirley and John Smith demystifying how to research at the Mitchell Library

Group member Vicki Williamson on the life of local artist Emlyn Britton Dickson

Shane Frost CEO Awabakal Descendants & Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corp.

Convicts of Tocal author Brian Walsh outlining his extensive research

Gionni De Gravio, Newcastle University archivist discussing their holdings

Ian Small author of The Kurrajongs backgrounding their history

Paul Parton from FamilySearch outlining what's new and to come

Terry Eakin - Irish research expert detailing resources and methods

Mari Metzke - the manager of the Royal Australian Historical Society

Sam Dhnaram on Light Horse tour and Charmaine Keegan wearing the uniform

Roy Kable, President of the Fellowship of First Fleeters Central Coast Branch

Pat Edwards talking on her new life work, fossil hunting of a different kind

Pamela Harrison speaking on Newcastle Harbour master Captain Henry Newton

Sue Whyte, President of the Catherine Hill Bay Progress Association

John Lambkin expanding our knowledge of all things numismatical

Norman Bowes speaking on Newcastle shipping and the Dunbar wreck

Helen Dickinson on searching land records and their hidden treasures

Lindsay Allen of State Records NSW on researching this valuable archive

Ed Tonks speaking on the history of coal mining in the Lake Macquarie area

Marie Jones author on convicts who were not from Britain or Ireland

Suzanne Martin sharing her passion of the historical buildings in Newcastle

Lorraine Banks outlining the history of the convict built Great North Road

Terry St George informing listeners on the history of Sandgate Cemetery

Des Murphy explaining the delights of undertaking Irish research in Ireland

Mary Hollis describing how to read & decipher old english handwriting

Group member Robert Eldridge on ways of breaking 'brick walls' in research

Professor Gillian Turner speaking on genetics in family history research

Beryl Mullard describing her Morisset book "Iron Horse and Iron Bark"

Carol Frazer talking about prominent Newcastle persons of the 19th century

Wendy Meredith letting members know the secrets to family history publishing

Gail Orchard outlining the extensive records at Newcastle Council Library

Elizabeth Allum presenting seminar on archives in and around Sydney

Steve Seiver discussing his aboriginal ancestors incl. "Black Ned" of Swansea

Judy Messiter from Lake Macquarie City Library detailing resources

Robyn Gordon speaking about the Lacemakers of Calias

Local author Dulcie Hartley speaking about the Fennell family

Ann speaking about the Maitland Family History Circle Pioneer Register