I know I’ve been rather quiet on the blogging front for a while now, but for a good reason.

As part of the organising team behind the DNA Down Under roadshow, that has taken up a lot of time (day and evening). But the beginning of the event is almost here, so my organising part is almost done.

Starting next week, Australia is having it’s biggest ever DNA specific genealogy conference. Held over 2 1/2 weeks, this roadshow features the guru of everything genealogy DNA, Blaine Bettinger, also known as “The Genetic Genealogist“. While he is the keynote speaker, he is joined by a whole host of Australia’s top genetic genealogists such as Louise Coakley, Helen Smith, Michelle Patient, Kerry Farmer and a stack more!!

It’s truly the ultimate DNA fest … and it’s for total beginners through to advanced level, so there’s something for everyone.

I saw a comment on Facebook saying “where else can you get 8 hours of DNA learning from the so many of the best in the world at one event!”, and another comment saying this is her “once in a lifetime event”. It’s so exciting to hear that others are just as excited.

The roadshow kicks off in Brisbane on Wednesday 14 August, and heads around the country to Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and finishes in Sydney with 3-day in-depth conference.

To give you an idea of what you’re in for (excluding Sydney), here’s some of talk titles:
– Introduction to DNA
– Using Autosomal DNA for 18th & 19th century mysteries
– Genetic genealogy: standards, ethics, risks, limitations
– Using GEDmatch & DNA Painter to analyse your DNA
– Myth Busting Ancestry
– Finding Australian matches
– Limitations of cousin matching
– Getting the most from your FTDNA results
– Getting the most from your MyHeritage results

In Sydney there’s 10 speakers over 3 days, with over 40 talks, so there’s too many to list, but check the program here. But in general thre’s everything from beginners, to ethics, to adoption, to ethnicity, to GEDmatch, to visual phasing, to DNA research plans, to a project using DNA to identify soldiers, as well as how to get the most out of your results with the different DNA companies, and a whole heap more.

So if you’ve not taken a test yet, but have been considering it come along and see how DNA can help with your research. Find out about the different DNA testing companies, as well as the different types of tests.

If you have taken a test but are at the “What now?” stage, come along and find out just that. What you can do with those results. How you interpret them. How you can find and contact matches. [This is totally where I’m at. I’ve done 3 different tests and just haven’t taken to time to do anything with them, so I’m expecting to be mindblown by what DNA can actually tell me once I understand it.]

And for those who have already done those steps, find out about a number of third party tools that can help you take your results even further.

The DNA Down Under roadshow runs from 14-31 August, so be sure to check the website for details of where and when for each city, along with the speakers and program.

Pre-bookings for tickets at Brisbane and Perth have closed, but tickets are still available at the door. The other states have a few more days to pre-book. And in case the event wasn’t incentive enough, everyone who pre-books automatically goes into the draw for over $17,000 in prizes!! You can see the full listing of prizes here.

So come along and learn a heap about genealogy and DNA, and meet and make new friends who love family history as much as you do. And if you’re heading to DNA Down Under in Brisbane, Adelaide or Sydney, please come up to the Gould Genealogy/Unlock the Past stand and say a big hello to me.

www.dnadownunder.com

By now you’ve probably already heard that the legend of genetic genealogy, Blaine Bettinger (yes THE one and only, the one who is the author of the insanely popular “The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy’), is coming down under to Australia in August 2019, to teach us all about DNA and genealogy, and everything relating to it.

In fact he is one of a team of genetic genealogists that will be touring Australia to give everyone from the “I’ve not even tested yet, why should I?” through to the advanced users who already understand what ‘haplotype’ and ‘phasing’ mean.

The presenters will not only be explaining just how useful DNA is for genealogy, but also how to understand and make the most of the results. There’s also talks on ethics, using DNA to solve 18th/19th Century secrets, and using third party DNA tools, and how to get the most from your results from the various DNA testing companies.

If that sounds like your cup of tea (or coffee), then keep on reading ….

The tour covers day-long seminars in 5 Australian cities (Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra), and ends with a 3-day DNA-fest in Sydney. As the Sydney topics are largely different to the other states, quite a number are doing “DNA to the Max”  which is 1 day in your own state + 3 days in Sydney, which really is the UL-TI-MATE!!! This is actually what I’m doing (Adelaide + Sydney), and while I reckon my head will be swimming after day 2  (let alone day 4), I know I’ll learn a lot.

The whole tour goes for 2 1/2 weeks, starting in Brisbane on 14th August 2019, and ends in Sydney, so here’s the dates of what’s on when:

Brisbane – Wed 14 Aug
Perth – Sat 17 Aug
Adelaide – Tue 20 Aug
Melbourne – Fri 23 Aug
Canberra – Mon 26 Aug
Sydney – Thu-Sat 29-31 Aug

THE GIVEAWAY
If you haven’t yet booked, but are super keen to go – you’re in luck because as a DNA Down Under Ambassador I’ve been given a 1-day pass to giveaway (value $155). This can be used at any of the states, including Sydney (but just for a single day). The value is $155, and you’re getting to hear not only Blaine who is known as one to the best genetic genealogy speakers in the world, you’re going to hear the best from Australia and New Zealand as well. The speakers do vary from state to state, but Louise Coakley, Kerry Farmer. Mike Murray, Michelle Patient, Helen Smith, Mike Murray, Claire Forster, Shelley Crawford, Fiona Brooker, Gail Edwards, Brad Argent and Jason Reeve who along with Blaine, are going to teach you SO MUCH about DNA, you’ll be a pro by the end of the day!

HOW TO ENTER
To enter you need to answer 4 questions, and email me your answers.
1. If you’ve already tested, have you had any surprises with DNA? If you haven’t tested, do you think you’ll find any?
2. What do you hope that DNA will help you discover?
3. Have you made new family connections through DNA? If so, tell me a little about it.
4. If you win, which city do you intend to go to?

Send your responses to me at: alona@lonetester.com, and be sure to get your entry in by Friday 12th July. The winner will be announced on social media that weekend (and emailed with details on how to get your free ticket).

THE Ts&Cs:
Sorry guys, but there does have to be a just few Ts&Cs.
1. You can only enter if you haven’t already booked
2. The winning ticket is not transferable
3. The ticket covers your entry to a day-long event at the the city of your choice, and includes lunch as well. But sorry, but airfares and accommodation are not covered.

MORE INFO
More information on the event can be found at www.dnadownunder.com

 

UPDATE: Entries have closed. And the winner has been drawn, and CONGRATULATIONS goes to Helen Dell.

May came, and what a insane, crazy month it was. But it’s over, and while we’re disappointed that the South Australian History Festival is over for another year, we can all now take a little rest.

Admittedly I didn’t get to as many as I had hoped, but with birthdays, work, interstate visitors and hospital visits added into May as well … I didn’t do to bad, as I managed to get to 10 events.

Anyway I promised you a mini-review of the activities I got up to during history month, so here goes …

 

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BOOK LAUNCH
The Secret Art of Poisoning: The True Crimes of Martha Needle the Richmond Poisoner (by Samantha Battams)
My history month began with book launch. Held at the spectacular Carclew House in North Adelaide, Author, Samantha Battams gave the very packed room a great introduction on “The Secret Art of Poisoning” with some background on how this book evolved, and why this story needed to be told.

One woman, four murders (plus another attempted one), and rat poison. It’s a fascinating (and sad) but true story that happened in the late 1890s Australia. And one that I’m looking forward to reading soon. “How did a serial killer from the 19th century almost get away with murder? And what were the circumstances that led to two infamous poisoners in one family?”

For more on this book, check your local bookstore, or visit Samantha’s own website.

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TOUR
SANFL History Centre Tour (by the SANFL History Centre)
Did you know that the SANFL (South Australian National Football League,) had a history centre? No, nor did I until I saw it in the history month event program. Anyway, I saw they were having a tour of the centre, so I booked, and what an eye-opener it was.

SOOOOO much South Australian football history is being preserved by them, which is a good thing for social historians, sporting historians, and family historians. While the centre isn’t open for everyone to come and do their own research onsite, they can accept queries to check and see what records and/or artifacts they may have already indexed that relate to an individual. Their ultimate goal is to put details of their holdings online, so people anywhere can access it. But that takes time and money, but it’s a great goal, and I certainly hope it happens. In the meantime if you know of anyone who has South Australian football memorabilia, and isn’t sure what to do with it – send it to them as they will certainly give it a good home, and make sure it’s preserved.

You  can get in touch with the SANFL History Centre through the SANFL website.

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DISPLAY/TALK
State Library’s White Gloves Tour (by the State Library of South Australia)
I’ll admit this dispaly/talk wasn’t quite what I expected, but Anthony and Mark, archivists from the State Library of South Australia did a great job of delving into the library’s collection and essentially gave the audience a show and tell of a few of their treasures. Some items thousands of years old, others hundreds, others only a few decades. From old books, to letters, to periodicals, to a clay tablet from the Middle East, even a corset and a Blinky Bill tambourine – each has a story as why and how the State Library ended up with them.  It was a great talk, and certainly a eye-opener .

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NON-HISTORY MONTH EVENT
Visit the Mortlock Library
How anyone can go to the State Library of South Australia, and not pop next door to the Mortlock Library beats me. I always pay this beautiful building a visit when I’m nearby, and it still blows me away by it’s awesomeness, and it’s history. It’s so easy to see why the Mortlock library is on numerous Top Libraries of the World to Visit lists.

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TOUR
City of Adelaide Clipper Ship (by the Clipper Ship “City of Adelaide”)
This was actually an unplanned bonus event as I’d headed to Port Adelaide for another event, but was early, so killed some time by checking out the City of Adelaide Clipper Ship nearby. What I also didn’t know until then, was that you can actually go in it, and tour around. So that’s exactly what I did.

The ‘City of Adelaide’ is the world’s oldest surviving clipper ship, it is also the only surviving passenger sailing ship. From 1864-1887 it was been used to take emigrants from London to Adelaide. As a result, as many as 500,000 South Australia’s can trace their roots to immigrants having arrived on this ship.

Later the City of Adelaide was used to transport coal and timber, and as a hospital ship. In 1922 it was used by the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and they renamed it to HMS Carrick. That lasted until 1948 when it was decommissioned. Once the war was finished the ship was scheduled for breaking up, but fortuntately that didn’t happen but was sent to Scotland. From there, talks with parties in both Australia and Scotland somehow managed to the the old girl home to Adelaide. And thanks to the incredible efforts of volunteers, as well as all who give them donations – they are dedicated to restoring and preserving this historic vessel.

If you’re ever at Port Adelaide and get a chance to visit this ship, do it, it’s incredible, and my pics simply don’t do it justice.

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DISPLAY
Visionaries and Achievers of Port Adelaide Connected to Woodville Since 1836 (by the Historical Society of Woodville)
One of the ‘achievers’ that the Society was highlighting was Richard Holland, and as he’s a brother-in-law to my great great grandma, I thought it would be worth checking out. However I didn’t really get to see the exhibition as I spent the time there actually chatting to one of the committee members about Richard Holland, and as she’s related to him too she brought photos to show me and the Holland family history book as well. So there went a few hours of chatting, and learning about their life.

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TALK
AdeLOL: A live Comedy Podcast (by AdeLOL)
This was one of two events that the guys (Dan and Tom) from AdeLOL who are the creators of the Heaps Good History Podcast were involved in for History Month. Held at the Little Bang Brewing Company in Stepney, I went along to hear what their “live podcast” was like. With their casual nature mixed in with banter and tidbits of history, it was such an interesting was to learn about history.

The topic for this session focussed on the suburb of Stepney in Adelaide, since that’s where the Brewing Company was. So the boys did their homework by reading up looked up the history, found some very cool stories about characters in the area and told it in their own unique way.

One thing they mentioned which sticks with me was that while Stepney now is known as a inner suburb of Adelaide, and is an upper class area, it wasn’t always that way. In fact it was modelled on Stepney in the London – which was basically a slum area. And supposedly that’s why the suburb has narrow streets and bad drainage.

The AdeLOL guys do regular podcasts on all sorts of South Australian history related topics. So just head on over to their website to check them all out, and have fun learning about South Australia’s history: https://adelol.podbean.com/

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TALK
Alive in the Archives: Kittens, Camels and Decoy Sheep (by the National Archives of Australia & State Records of South Australia)
The title of this one hooked me in, and it was as interesting as it sounds. Archivists from both the National Archives of Australia (SA) and State Records of South Australia went through their collections, and highlighted some of the images and records relating to animals.

From South Australia’s emblem,the piping shrike magpie, to war dogs, to police horses and camels. I found out that the South Australia Railways Dept used horses as well as “decoy sheep”, and that there is such a thing a “horse cards”, so you can see a horses’ history. Pidgeons were used as a means of communication with remote lighthouse keepers, and while the practice didn’t last, it did save at least one lighthouse keeper’s life, by getting word to the mainland to get a doctor to come and help.

It was yet another great and enlightening talk, and the big crowd learnt a lot.

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TALK
Kingston’s 1842 Monument to Colonel Light (by Artlab)
I’ll admit that I knew nothing about Kingston’s Monument prior to this talk (see the lerning never ends). But Justin from Artlab Australia gave a great talk on the part that both Colonel William Light and Sir George Strickland Kingston played in founding Adelaide. Light died in 1839, just 2 years after South Australia began colonisation. And as a tribute the public decided there should be a memorial made to him. Strickland volunteered his services and in 1842 the 45 foot (13.7m) high gothic monument towered over Adelaide. However due to poor quality stone, it crumbled and was eventually demolished some 60 years later.

This long-forgotten monument has now been resurrected digitally from photographs, and recreated in wood at a 1/10 scale model.

It is proposed “that the monument be re-built for the 2036 South Australia Bicentennary, and that it should be rededicated to the traditional custodians of the land, the Kaurna people, and the vision of the Old Colonists of the South Australian Association and the early pioneering settlers”. Personally I think this is a fabulous idea, and I hope it happens. It is a spectacular monument, and the original owners, and early settlers should be remembered.

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TOUR
Preserving Our Story: Lutheran Archives Behind the Scenes Tour (by the Lutheran Archives)
This was another tour I was eager to do. Having some German heritage in Australia, I know that this place that some records relating to my reli’s, but I haven’t had (or sadly made) the time to go visit them to do the research yet. So instead I did the tour to get an idea of what they hold.

Anyone who is a researcher would love seeing rooms full of compactus’ filled with records, books and artifacts, and that’s what the Lutheran Archives is like. They are the national archive for all things Lutheran related, and hold I don’t know how many metres of records, but it is significant, as the building is two storey.

From original church record books, to old German family bibles, to furniture that has significance to a German person or family, to shelves full of German related family histories, and tens of thousands of photographs … they have it all.

For more on the Lutheran Archives, or if you have a query for them, please visit their website.

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So that was my South Australian History Festival month. And fitting it in with life and everything else going on, it really was busy, busy for me!!

Anyway a huge thankyou to the History Trust of SA team who are behind South Australia’s History Festival, and of course the organisations who put the events on. It’s been an awesome month, and I have learnt a lot. And look forward to more …

But now we wait until August for National Family History Month, and we get to take part in events that are on then. I’m actually hoping some events that were on in May are going to be repeated, because with over 700 events on, and limited time, you simply can’t get to everything you’d like to. Anyway after August, the countdown will then be on for South Australia’s History Festival 2020!

 

May is the month that all South Australian history-lovers and genealogists look forward to, as it is South Australia’s History Festival, which really is just a month-long history-fest!

And this year we get a whole month PLUS a few days, as the History Festival kicks off this coming weekend, (Saturday 27 April) with the Open Doors weekend which gives you a choice of 50 places to check out.

This is then followed by over 700 events from 400 organisers held all over the State throughout May.

Every year is BIG, but even before this one has begun, the organisers have announced that this year’s history month is offically the BIGGEST EVER.

South Australia’s History Festival is presented by the History Trust of South Australia, and began its life as South Australia’s History Week back in 2004, and changed to a month-long event in 2011, and what a great move that’s been. Though seriously a month STILL isn’t long enough to cram in all the events I want to get to, but I won’t complain, as I know we’re very lucky.

Anyway the program that is jam-packed with events, covering all corners of the State, and there’s oodles for the genealogy and history buff to enjoy, and even those not so much into history as well.

There are tours galore (bus tours, guided walking tours, self-guided tours, even ghost tours), open days, seminars, displays, workshops, exhibitions, book launches, workshops, treasure hunts and so much more … even an escape room!

This year I’ve booked in for 10 events, and am looking forward to those. I have some archive tours, a few talks, a day seminar, a book launch, an escape room, and a treasure hunt too. As I’ll be cramming these around my day job, I have had to stop looking at the program, as there is just too much I want to go to. But 10 events isn’t too bad an effort, and I’ll write about all in due course.

One great thing about the South Australian History Festival, is that it really is State-wide and not just Adelaide. You’ll find oodles of events on in the Adelaide Hills, the Barossa, the Peninsula’s, and even on Kangaroo Island, all of which all so many more people to learn about the history of this beautiful state of ours.

My advice to you if you’re in South Australia, do yourself a favour, check out the South Australian History Festival website, and I bet you’ll find something you’d love to go to. Browse by date, or type of event, or simply search and see what you come up with.  You’ll find something, I guarantee it.

All 700+ events are listed there, and they have a planner so you can keep track of what you’re wanting to attend. I find that very handy indeed!!

Anyway, for more on South Australia’s History Festival, check out their website, and elsewhere on social media!

Web: www.historyfestival.sa.gov.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HistoryFestival
Twitter: @historyfestival
Instagram: instagram.com/historyfestival
Hashtag: #SAHistoryFest