Newsletter for the Rotary Club of Western Endeavour - Issue No.: 1112 Issue Date: 24 Mar, 2024

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Ray Smith centre with Richard Clarke left and John Boxall right

Ray Smith on "Finding your Smith"

On Tuesday (29th November) Ray Smith, who is a member of the Western Australian Genealogical Society, entertained and educated us regarding genealogical investigating with a presentation entitled “Finding your Smith”.

Ray explained how he started to find his family history given that there are so many Smiths. His first searches were done with microfiche which was laborious and difficult . Doing similar searches today on computer, almost anything can be found in a couple of hours.

There are many ways to commence a family search:

. Using the services of the WA Genealogy Society

. familysearch.com (Mormon Church database)

. WA State Library (where ancestry.com is available for free)

The best thing is to start with yourself. Using your birth certificate get the details of your parents then work backwards. It is essential to sight primary documentation as a lot of information on the internet may be incorrect and can lead you down an incorrect path.

Ray pointed out the difference between a Genealogy Tree and a Family Tree, the first being a tree that only has those who are directly genetically connected to you. ie parents, grandparents etc. A family tree will contain those who are related to you but not necessarily genetically. ie cousins

Ray demonstrated some computer programs that make the searching, recording and displaying of family history an easier task. His preference was for RootsMagic

Author: John Boxall

Published: 30 November, 2016

 


Meeting Rosters
Date
Host
Thanks & Cleanup
3 minute bio
Setup
Writer
26 Mar, 24
Marcus Harris
 
 
Laurie Glossop
Jennifer Lee
02 Apr, 24
Michael Lee
Michael Lee
 
Donna Thornton
Barrie Heald
09 Apr, 24
 
 
Marina Berzins
 
Judy Dinnison
17 Apr, 24
 
 
 
 
 
14 May, 24
Laurie Glossop
 
 
 
Judy Dinnison
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