History unlocked at expo
UNLOCK the Past Expo, which is on all day today at C.ex Coffs Harbour, is designed to attract history, genealogy and heritage enthusiasts.
The Unlock the Past New South Wales Expo 2011 is a mixture of exhibits and displays by commercial suppliers, societies, libraries and museums, combined with presentations by experts and researchers.
Books, software and data CDs are available for sale.
Coffs Harbour Regional Museum, Coffs Harbour Library and its Picture Coffs Harbour online collection of photographs and the Coffs Harbour and District Family History Society are among the organisations with displays at the expo, which opened yesterday.
The expo has been organised in conjunction with these groups as well as the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery and Coffs Coast Marketing.
There are 29 presentations by 18 different presenters, which are being held in two rooms at the club close to the main auditorium.
They include:
- Soldier settlement in New South Wales, 1916-1939 – Dr Melanie Oppenheimer;
- Social media for family and local history – Carole Riley;
- The Society of Australian Genealogists – how its treasures will help your family history – Heather Garnsey;
- When widows and brides wore black – Dr Leigh Summers;
- Google your family tree: tips and tricks – Shauna Hicks;
- How to write and publish your family story in easy steps – Dr Noeline Kyle;
- Back alleys and research byways: tips and tactics for chasing elusive ancestors in the NSW State archives – Christine Yeats;
- DNA for genealogists – Kerry Farmer;
- Connecting with family lines online – R. Kopittke;
- The National Library: family historians’ treasure trove – Jenny Higgins National Library of Australia;
- Regional newspapers: their value for local and family history – Nola Mackey;
- Caring for your family history archives – Shauna Hicks; and
- Breaking down genealogy brick walls – Helen Smith;
Unlock the Past runs history and genealogy expos, seminars and cruise conferences and it publishes material on history and genealogy. “We are delighted that Unlock the Past has chosen Coffs Harbour to hold the NSW Expo 2011,” Coffs Harbour District Family History Society president Marlene Gordon said.
“It brings such a range of history, genealogy and heritage related exhibits as well as so many expert speakers to people in the region from the NSW Central Coast through to southern Queensland as well as areas inland from Coffs Harbour.
“It gives them the opportunity to attend and reap the benefit of an event they would normally only experience by travelling to a major city.”
Entrance to the exhibition, which runs from 9am to 5.30pm is $10 a person. Some talks are free and others are $5 a person.
People can learn more at www.unlockthepast.com.au/events/nsw-expo-coffs-harbour
