Family History Month

August has been very busy throughout the Region as Family History researchers both young and old have come together to learn more about discovering and preserving their family history, as part of events for National Family History Week and Family History month at YPRL.

Three more events remain:

Thursday 23 August
Living in Lalor reminiscences
Lalor Library
7.00 pm - 8.00 pm
Wether you hail from Lalor, Epping, Thomastown, Epping or Mernda - please come along with your photos and memorabilia and reflect on the old days of the area.

Wednesday 29 August
Breaking the brick wall: assistance for Family history researchers
Lalor Library
This session is booked out. Please place your name on our waiting list for a future session.

Thursday 13 September
Watsonia Library
6.30 pm - 8.30 pm
Become a living ancestor: leave your memories behind
Easy steps for recording those little anecdotes and memories that make up your life. Leave a record so that your descendants will know you as a real person. Please bring along a copy of a meaningful photograph and writing matrials.
This session is filling up. Please book via Watsonia library

Thursday 13 September

Times Digital Archive 1785-1985

The Times Digital Archive, 1785-1985 delivers every page as published from 200 years of The Times (London). The Times is the "world's newspaper of record" and covers all major international historical events from the French Revolution to the Falkland War. For the first time users are able to search the full-text of the entire newspaper, including articles, editorials and advertising.
Until 17 August 2007 this is available free for National Family History Week.
http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/anz_gene?db=TTDA
The password required is: magnetic

Otherwise, the Archive is available on the State Library of Victoria website. Register as a remote user and use your number to access the Archive

Restriction of Victorian BDM Records

The Victorian Registry of BDMs has increased the embargo period for unrestricted access to indexes and certificates of birth records from 75 to 100 years. That change was implemented on 1 August.
For details see www.bdm.vic.gov.au/accesspolicy for all details.
That page also contains links to some useful details about access to BDM records.

Victorian historical indexes on CD-Rom are accessible at all branch libraries and individiaul CD-roms are available for loan.