Hidden gems in local records

 

Where do you start when researching a local area?

Our local history expert shares her expertise widely and with more than 30 years of experience in the field she provides guidance for those approaching a local history research question. These aspects are the basis of any genealogical research question.

• Determine and record what is already known
• What surnames are involved in any query?
• What time period is appropriate?
• Where might the ancestor have lived? 
• What may have been his/her occupation?
• Did the person serve in the military?
• Are there any school records for the found area?

These are just starting points that may well lead to a broader focus. Our workshop led by Bev this morning posed several local research puzzles for the participants to solve.

Some examples of the resources we used to find the answers to the questions posed included:

Electoral rolls to determine where the person may have lived and occupation - search via Ancestry

Local resources located through the library catalogue, - books and copies of school records

Local maps housed in the Heritage Centre

Local databases housed on the members' website

• General Local History Index a large collection covering many of the newspaper clippings in folders and some archival material
• Index to Agricultural organisations, includes fruitgrowers and the agricultural and industrial society.
• Index to local sports clubs -  Specific to sports clubs their memberships and activities. Further entries about sport related activities may also be located in the general index.
• Index to early land records and ratepayers
• Index to Sunshine Coast Daily BDM notices : Oct 2004 - Feb 2005
• Noosa Hospital Auxiliary Roll and meeting attendance records 

Newspaper notices available through Trove

Other useful resources for our local area include but are not limited to:

• Heritage Noosa A wonderful collection of local photographs and documents as well as oral history recordings and transcripts
• Noosa Shire Museum - Family histories
• Noosa Libraries - Heritage
• National Archives of Australia for military records
• Queensland State Archives
• State Library of Queensland Family History collection

Need some photos from the past? 

Queensland State Archives on Flickr

State Library of Queensland on Flickr

If you require assistance with an enquiry into local history in and about the Noosa Shire please visit the Heritage Centre in Cooroy or fill in this research request form and our local experts will endeavour to help.

Procession SportsDay - Cooroy

A unique museum

 The Mount Isa Underground Hospital Museum

After the bombing of Darwin in 1942, there was a real fear that Mount Isa with its rich mineral resources would be next. Over a period of 15 weeks, miners drilled, blasted and dug out a series of tunnels into the side of the hill.

Following restoration work by volunteers, the Underground Hospital was opened as a museum in 1999.

On Saturday February 11th at 1pm in the Heritage Centre, guest speaker Margaret Medley will present a detailed background to the restoration of this unique hospital museum which today has become one of Mount Isa’s major tourist attractions.

Laraine Mahoney Memorial Writing Award 2022

Jordan's mother Amor Garvey, Tom Heitman,
Jordan Garvey, father Adam Garvey, and Bevan Mahoney

The Laraine Mahoney Memorial Writing Award for 2022 was given to Jordan Garvey at the Cooroy State School year 6 graduation in December. This annual award honours the memory of Laraine Mahoney, a former teacher and member of Cooroy Noosa Genealogy Group. The award, a gift certificate and trophy, is given to a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding writing skills throughout the year. It is jointly funded by our group and Cooroy book clubs to which Laraine belonged.

 Prize winner yr6 student Jordan Garvey, with (L-R) dad Adam Garvey,
grandparents Ian and Janet Garvey and Bevan Mahoney