UK genealogist and author, Michael Gandy, to present talks at the State Library

Well-known UK genealogist , professional researcher and author, Michael Gandy, will be presenting a series of talks in the Library theatre on Saturday 29 August. Anyone who has heard Michael speak will tell you that he is an extremely entertaining and knowledgeable speaker. Topics include the Irish poor in England, the British in India and tracing middle class ancestors. With additional sessions on hidden family history treasures from the Library stacks by Leonie Hayes; and getting the most out of the FamilySearch website by Mike Murray; this promises to be a wonderful day for all who attend.

The seminar has been arranged by the Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc. (WAGS) as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations and is sponsored by the State Library. Tickets to this special event can be purchased from the Society. For more information please phone Margaret Hickey on 9450 4006 or email genealogy@wags.org.au

 

State Library & WAAPA Free Lunchtime Concerts

State Library & WAAPA Free Lunchtime Concerts

Fridays @ 12.30pm
31 July- 4 September 2009
State Library Theatre

Be entertained on Friday lunchtimes during the City of Perth Winter Arts Season as WAAPA’s talented staff and students perform a series of free concerts and performances. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear Perth’s upcoming stars of the music world.
Bookings not required.

Program:
31 July
Piano Pieces: exquisite piano music from across the ages.
Directed by David Wickham
7 August
Vocal Showcase: classical vocal students sing Lieder to Broadway.
Directed by Patricia Price
14 August
Chamber strings: intimate classical music for chamber strings.
Directed by Peter Tanfield.
21 August
WAAPA Big Band: an electrifying explosion of sound.
Directed by Adrian Kelly
28 August
Big Funk Band: classic 60’s through to cutting edge funk.
Directed by Ric Eastman
4 September
Latin Ensemble: the hot sounds of samba, rumba and bossa nova.
Directed by Chris Tarr

See What’s On at the State Library

 

Moon landing July 1969

In July the world remembers the 40th anniversary of the landing of astronauts on the moon.

In 1969 crowds gathered in Perth, Western Australia to watch the epic event on portable televisions in the foyer of the R & I Bank.

The State Library of W.A. online catalogue, image 346415PD

 

Thinking of starting your family history?

If you have been considering making a start on your family history, why not come along to some of the presentations on offer during Family History Week?

Discovering Family History is particularly suited to beginners, as are the talks on choosing genealogy software and fantastic websites. We will be showcasing some of our treasures from the stacks in Sharing Our Secrets and giving tours of the Genealogy Centre and the Battye Library.

For a full program go to National Family History Week  2009.

 

Original Western Australian Acts of Parliament now online

We’ve all been able to access current Western Australian legislation online for some time now at the State Law Publisher’s website – however this already valuable source now has added depth with the addition of a listing of Original Acts As Passed.  These acts are optically scanned and searchable and available as printable PDFs.  Of course you can still access the print copies here at the State Library.

 

‘Historical Encyclopedia of Western Australia’ on sale at SLWA Shop.

SLWA Shop is proud to be one of the very few vendors to sell ‘The Historical Encyclopedia of Western Australia’.   UWA Press says this book “…will become the outstanding reference for researchers, teachers, students and the general public throughout Australia enabling them to locate information about significant events, institutions, people and places,
themes and topics in the history of Western Australia.

The editors are well known historians, each entry is written by an acknowledged expert in the field, and each entry is refereed. Many of the writers are members of local historical associations and other organisations.

The Historical Encyclopedia of Western Australia has more than 300 contributors and through this collaboration has become the “People’s Encyclopedia” – a gift to the people of Western Australia from the historians of Western Australia.”

It retails for $89.95.

 

NAIDOC Week, 5-12th July 2009

Every year, NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia to commemorate the history and celebrate the culture and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Australians from all works of life are invited to celebrate and continue to take steps towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

What does NAIDOC mean?
NAIDOC originally stood for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. This acronym has gone on to become the name of the week itself. To learn more about the history of NAIDOC Week visit www.naidoc.org.au

The theme for 2009 is Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth. The theme encourages communities to acknowledge the status of our Elders as leaders and role models for our youth.

Wherever you live, you can take part in NAIDOC celebrations
There will be an official opening ceremony on Sunday 5th July in Wellington Square in East Perth from 12pm to 4pm. To find out what else is happening in your area and how to get involved, visit http://naidocperth.org/

The State Library of Western Australia will also be running free tours of the Western Australian Indigenous collections in the Battye Library throughout NAIDOC week from Monday 6th July to Friday 10th July 2009. Bookings are essential – to reserve your place contact us on 9427 3111.

If you can’t make it into the library, why not take a virtual tour of our digitised photographs through the State Library’s catalogue or at Picture Australia.

The State Library of Western Australia also offers specialised guided tours, educational programs and events to support our Indigenous information resources and we welcome your feedback and advice in regards to our Indigenous collections, services and programs. Contact indigenous.spec@slwa.wa.gov.au for more information.

 

The Place is here – come and visit!

The new area for children and families at the State Library, The Place, was launched on Sunday 24 May with a Kids Day Out.

Hundreds of families came along to enjoy the storytimes, art work and music sessions, and we have had very positive comments about this great place celebrating stories in the middle of the city.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit yet with your family, come along and check it out - The Place is open when the library is open.

 

Who are these men?

Corporals O'Neil & Burton

This photograph shows Corporal O’Neil and Corporal Burton, wearing the insignia of 11th Battalion AIF. As there were many servicemen with the surnames O’Neil and Burton, we are having trouble identifying them. Do you know the full names of either of these soldiers?

 

Can you identify this object?

The Archive team have another photograph we’d like your help to identify.   It was taken by  commercial photographic company Illustrations Limited in 1932 and simply has “R.E. Arnold” written on it. 

A check of the 1932 Post Office directory for Western Australia shows that R.E. Arnold was a plumber, but what was this used for? It looks like a wooden barrel or tank with metal coils and a plug or small handle at the end.

The photograph is available for viewing on our online catalogue using call no.  101836PD.