| Keeping in Touch - Issue 53 - February 2007 |
February Council Meeting
The major points from that meeting are:
1) Council considered all options available to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Sue Greene. Fiona Brooker has agreed to be co-opted onto Council. Fiona was Treasurer for a number of years and lives in Christchurch. Council welcomes her experience and expertise.
2) Council has accepted the offer from the Tauranga Branch to host the AGM and Research Day in 2009.
The programs is 2007 Wellington
2008 Christchurch
February 2009 AFFHO Congress in Auckland
2009 AGM in Tauranga
Council is interested in any proposal from Branches to host the 2010 AGM and Conference. Remember that Council will consider any proposal for an event that is different from our normal conferences.
3) We have 8324 financial members (an increase of 115 from last council meeting).
The renewal of subscriptions period is upon us. Members who do not pay in time will miss getting their May/June magazine.
4) Some Branches have not sent in their Annual Returns. Others were grossly late. There are only a few obligations placed on Branches and this is not particularly onerous. We need these returns for a number of important reasons.
Some Branches are not sending in their Annual Financial Statements. This could jeopardise our registration of our charitable status.
In future, Branches who fail to send in their Returns may risk being recognised.
5) The following motion was passed:
Motion: That the subscriptions for all classes (except Honorary and Life Members) be increased by $2.00 for the financial year beginning 1 April 2008.
The major rationale for this is that our rent has increased by about 50% on our NZSG Office and FRC, together with the inflation rate considerations this is an appropriate figure.
This motion is to be put at the AGM.
6) A report from the Constitution Subcommittee was tabled. This resulted from consideration of a number of excellent submissions from members.
The proposed Rule Changes and By-Laws will be subject to the approval process by way of a postal ballot.
7) Our Lease has been renegotiated. The good news is that we are here for another 3 years but the bad news is a rent increase of about 50%. Our original rental was low in relation to the space we have and the location. An increase to near market levels is not unexpected.
8) For your information, the library “stock take” has given us the following:
Books 19,722
Audio Tapes 177
Microfiche 71,502
Flat maps 624
Folded Maps 364
Films – 16 mm 193
Films – 35 mm 200
CD Roms 1,087
Total items 93,869
9) With the approval of the Officer and at her suggestion, the GRO index service will be transferred to the FRC very soon.
10) All Appointed Officers who were available for reappointment were reappointed.
We are looking for an Auckland-based Education Officer
Deborah Body has been appointed as the archivist for the Digital Archive for Family History.
Keith Vautier has been appointed as the Projects Register Officer.
Joyce Mattson has replaced Alma Ibbs as First Families Officer
John Berntsen has replaced Lois Coles as First Families Queries Officer.
We have a few vacancies in the Projects Portfolio but the Projects Management Committee is thinking about a rearrangement of the department.
11) The Society has made major moves with respect to GSU Film Hiring.
The FRC has successfully trialed the system of ordering the films.
Canterbury Branch will be opening their GSU Film Hiring Service in the next few weeks.
Later this year, Wellington Branch will be opening a centre in National Library.
12) Family History Week is 21 – 28 September this year. Last year was very successful and resulted in a lot of publicity and new members, both Branch and Society. Let us see if we can build on it.
Education Courses for 2007
Welcome to the 2007 Programme we are offering during the year. We will be adding further topics in the next edition. Please register using the Registration Form at the FRC or on the web page.
Classes will be limited so early registration of your interest is recommended.
GENERAL
711. Getting Started With Your Family History Research
Saturdays 21 and Sunday 29 April, 9am-5pm each day: $35; Lynne Blake.
This course introduces you to research skills to help you with your family history – where to start, what to look for, where you might find it, how to record it. These techniques will assist you to understand what you are looking for, how to and where to access it. These basic skills can be used to research in any country.
712. Using the Burial Locator CD ROM and the NZSG Cemetery Collection
Sunday 15 April, 10am-12noon:$10; Diane Wilson.
This course will cover how to use the new CD and the NZSG Cemetery Collection (microfiche and books) with hands on workshop.
COMPUTING
We have organised a regular class on the fourth Sunday of March, April, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Oct, Nov. Eight classes will be offered, 10-12 and 1-3pm. No class in Sep because it is Family History Month. Cost will be $15 per day and discounted to $100 for the sixteen classes.
Learn to search, source and save.
Each student will have a computer to use during the classes. Ideally, it would be best to attend all classes. Each day’s class will form a complete lesson. The classes will refer to previous and even future classes, because there always will be overlapping of strategies, resources, searches, recording data, preparing reports etc.
Students will need to be familiar with using the Internet and with using their computer. Each student will need to bring Pedigree charts (2-4 families if possible) - which does mean that some basic research will have been done. The October class will be held off site - that is, not at the FRC.
The Tutor for all but one class will be Jan Gow with Barbara Mansell taking the August class, and there is no class in September.
The classes will follow a logical progression. When researching now, you need a genealogy program right from the beginning.
721:Mar 25. We will look at using a program - the data entry; the entering of locations; sourcing; producing reports and charts, compare 3-4 genealogy programs. You will be able to try the programs.
722:April 22. Using e-mail and the principles of Internet searching, keeping track of Internet searches, housekeeping and using TreePad.
723:May 27. Using the Big 5 - setting up a search strategy, using the sites we have looked at and will look at, keeping track of where you need to search, what you need to look for, and what you have found. Looking at Civil Registration.
724:June 24. Looking at the Invisible Web, pay-to-view sites - Scotland’s People, Network Origins, FindMyPast, FamilyHistoryonline etc. Civil Registration and Census, still working with the Big 5.
725:July 22. Using Family Search, searching for individuals and couples, parent searches, Locality Catalogue and working with the Big 5.
726:Aug 26. Using Ancestry, looking at census and then other records, Word Family Trees, Migration etc.
727:Oct 28. Finding others researching your family. And working with the Big 5.
728:Nov 25. In depth discussion on using Search Engines - how and why they do what they do, how we can make best use of what they do etc. Still working with the Big 5.
ENGLISH
711. Internet for English Research
Sunday 5 August, 10.00am-12Noon: Vivienne Parker;
Using the Internet for English Research - a hands on workshop
712. Deciphering old handwriting
Sunday 2 September, 10.00am-1.00pm (3hours): Vivienne Parker;
A practical workshop to assist with learning how to read old handwriting such as you find in parish registers, wills and probates, indentures and other documents.
Post Conference Tour by Else Churchill
Arrangements for Else Churchill’s speaking tour have now been finalised and the itinerary is as follows:
Alexandra: Tuesday 5 June, 1.00pm. Baptist Church Complex, Gregg St.
Subject: I’m Stuck! Techniques for localizing that elusive English ancestor.
Gore: Tuesday 5 June, 8.00pm, Anglican Church Hall, Trafford Street, Gore.
Subject: I’m Stuck! Techniques for localizing that elusive English ancestor.
Balclutha: Wednesday 6 June, 11.30, Venue to be advised, Phone (03) 418 0653 Evenings.
Subject: Our Women Ancestors.
Dunedin: Wednesday 6 June, 7.30pm, The Otago Early Settlers Museum, 31 Queens Gardens.
Subject: I’m Stuck! Techniques for localizing that elusive English ancestor.
Timaru: Thursday 7 June, 7.30pm, St Thomas Church Lounge, cnr Mountainview & Wai-iti Roads.
Subject: Our Women Ancestors.
Christchurch: Friday 8 June, 7.30pm, Shirley Community Centre.
Subject: Georgian Ancestry.
Nelson: Saturday 9 June, 10.30am, Nick Smith Hall.
Subject: Our Women Ancestors.
New Plymouth: Sunday 10 June, 2.00pm, Branch Rooms, Moturoa Shopping Centre
Subject: I’m Stuck! Techniques for localizing that elusive English ancestor.
Wanganui: Monday 11 June, 7.30pm, Heritage Room, Alexander Library.
Subject: Georgian Ancestry.
Palmerston North: Tuesday 12 June, 7.30pm, Kilwinning Lodge Hall, Church St.
Subject: I’m Stuck! Techniques for localizing that elusive English ancestor.
Levin: Wednesday 13 June, 7.30pm, St John’s Methodist Hall, Kent St., Levin.
Subject: Our Women Ancestors.
Taupo: Thursday 14 June, 7.00pm, Masonic Hall.
Subject: I’m Stuck! Techniques for localizing that elusive English ancestor.
Hamilton: Friday 15 June, 7.30pm, St Alban’s Church Hall.
Subject: Georgian Ancestry.
Thames: Saturday 16 June, 10.00am, Apostolic Church.
Subject: I’m Stuck! Techniques for localizing that elusive English ancestor.
Tauranga: Saturday 16 June, 1.30pm, Wesley Methodist Church Hall.
Subject: Georgian Ancestry.
Hawke’s Bay: Monday 18 June, 7.30pm, Brittany House, Wolesley St., Hastings.
Subject: Our Women Ancestors.
Hibiscus Coast: Tuesday 19 June, 1.00pm, Catholic Church Hall, 180 Centreway Rd., Orewa. Subject: I’m Stuck! Techniques for localizing that elusive English ancestor.
Auckland: Friday 22 June, 7.30pm, St Thomas Church Hall, Cnr. St Heliers Bay & Kohimarama Roads.
Subject: Our Women Ancestors.
BDM and Relationships Registration Amendment Bill
This is a first quick look at the Bill and its consequences. I am hoping that some suggestions will be made so that we arrive at a full submission to Parliament.
Background:
In my humble opinion, there were two events that led to this Bill particularly with respect to the parts that affect genealogists:
- The pressure by the Privacy Commissioner
- The Israeli Passport incident.
It is a fact that the present access that genealogists have to certificates and printouts is contrary to the Privacy Act. It was a matter of time until restrictions were imposed.
The Israeli Passport Incident is a red herring as far as we are concerned.
The Bill:
You can get a copy from this website
http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/83CFDB38-05C5-4B40-8000-990DE3A9D1DD/51463/DBHOH_BILL_7775_4699.pdf
or by going to the Registrars website: www.bdm.govt.nz and follow the links.
The Bill can be divided into two parts:
- the role of the Registrar in managing life event information
- access to that information
I do not think that we need to bother too much about the first part.
General Comments:
There appears to be no restriction on the circulation of certificates once they have been acquired. This means that our Certificates Collection is safe.
Because it does not have the exact date and place, our Marriages CD Rom is also safe.
The Bill does not ban the use of the present system of microfiche indices.
The Bill has good points and bad points. It could have been much worse.
There will be an internet-based index that has more details available on a pay-per-view basis. For example, births will have full name, place, date, parents’ name. For a lot of us this is more useful than the certificates. Of course, the price is not mentioned.
Problem Areas:
1) Access to certificates:
This is probably the most important problem.
The Bill has the following restrictions:
Births 100 years or more
Stillbirths, 50 years or more
Deaths 50 years or more
or born 80 years ago or more
Marriages 80 years or more
There is a very fundamental problem here. Personally, I’m in favour of restrictions on who gets my details BUT, as a genealogist, I am against my being restricted from getting those details I want of other people.
There is no political party that is going to remove the Privacy Act. It is here to stay. Therefore if we argue that we should have unlimited access we are on a loser. Maybe we should look at trying to modify these restrictions eg deaths back to 25 years or even less and the others made available as soon as the person or persons die.
Only certain people may obtain details, in the form of a certificate or printout for years less than above:
- The subject of the details
- a guardian or immediate family member
- any person who has written authority from the subject of the details
Immediate family member is defined as:
mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother, grandchild, spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner.
Now let me give you an example:
A woman aged 15, who was born to a woman aged 15, who was born to a woman aged 15.
This covers a period of 45 years. That 15 year old woman can only get her grandmothers certificate. She cannot get back the next 55 years until the certificates are unrestricted. I suggest that we get great grandchild and great great grandchild included.
Similarly, we are all aware that sometimes we need the details of our parents siblings, grandparents siblings etc. I would like to include access to them.
2) Publication of Index Information on the Internet:
The Registrar is going to make some historical information (ie from unrestricted certificates etc) available for search at an internet website for a fee. Basically this index will have full names of the people, place, full date and the registration number.
Index Information is defined as information obtained under section 74(2) before the commencement of the Act.
This Bill makes it illegal to make Index Information made available on an Internet website. Any information already up there must come down within 14 days of the Act coming into force.
Now we all know that we can find out the details that are going to be on the index from other sources eg newspapers etc.
This is a wonderful piece of confusion. How are we going to prove that we obtained the data from alternative sources?
We have to get this sorted out.
3) Cost of Certificates and Printouts:
If you read page 16 of the clause by clause analysis you come to those wonderful words “potentially increased fees”.
Reading on you come to “In addition, the cost of certificates and printouts may need to be increased to offset the reduction in volumes of certificates and print-outs ordered”.
Have the warning bells gone off?
What do we do now?
Well the first thing is to comment on this. I think I have picked up the major points or the points we can change or should change.
Council will be developing a submission to the subcommittee and, obviously will be appearing in person.
We need to start a two pronged campaign.
Firstly get everybody to harass and harangue their MP about getting rid of the bits we don’t like eg restriction of access. The reality is that it won’t achieve this but it may help the second part of the campaign.
The second part is the Society coming with a reasoned and logical submission giving alternatives or adjustments that the politicians can grab hold of and implement. Then they can placate all the harassers and haranguers.
Hamilton Research Day
NZSG Hamilton Branch are holding a Research Day 5th May 2007 at St. Alban's Church Hall, Comries Rd. Chartwell. (Close to Mall.)
Time: 10am-3.30pm Theme - CELTS & COLONIALS.
Invited Interest Groups:
Australia, Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, North-America, Nova Scotia
Speaker: David Hastings - author of "Over the Mountains of the Sea"
Bring your Lunch, morning & afternoon tea available. Door fee $10.00.
All welcome. Contact Jeni Palmer Hamilton@genealogy.org.nz or
Geraldene O'Reilly irish.genealogy@xtra.co.nz
Research Centre
Late Late Research Night - Friday, 30 March from 4pm to 12 midnight: Evening includes a dinner, lots of help from experienced genealogists and all the research facilities at the FRC available. The cost is $30 per member - download the registration form from www.genealogy.org.nz.
Using the Burial Locator and the NZSG Cemetery Collection and other records. This is a hands on experience with lots of tips for finding where your family is buried. Sunday 15 April from 10am to 12 noon at the FRC, cost $10. Download the Education registration form from www.genealogy.org.nz and specify course 712.
Microfiche Reader/Printer, Minolta RP 607Z, needs work done on it, available to a Branch free, as is, where is. Must be collected from the FRC, 1st Floor, 179 Queens Rd, Panmure, Auckland
New Publications
Otago Regional Repositories has been updated. The price is still the same at $7.50
2006 Cemetery Update now available. 122 fiche in total. Price $120
Cemetery Handbook (updated) $25.00
Regards
Peter Nash
Executive Officer
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