Judy Purkiss - Genealogist

15/10/2025

Visited the National Archives of Australia Perth office today and saw this event coming up.

Anyone scared of what spooky things could be in those archive boxes?

28/09/2025

Did you know that we release over 100,000 records to the public every year? 🔍🌐

On this International Day for Universal Access to Information, we celebrate the importance of accessible and transparent archives.

Under the ‘Archives Act 1983’, most Australian Government records become publicly available 20 years after their creation, following a thorough examination process that balances accessibility with the protection of sensitive information.

When communities engage with their stories in the national record, it enhances our shared understanding of history.

➡️ Learn more about how to access records and the 20-year open access period: https://bit.ly/3UK1WP2

17/09/2025

“They Came By Ship”, an family history month event by Familyhistory WA - FHWA

As rain set in on the day of the event, I wondered if I was going to need a ship to get there!

However, I, like many others, braved the weather and with numbers more than expected, an extra row of seating was laid out before the presentations began.

Family History WA put on a wonderful day event, there were four presentations relating to the Enrolled Pensioners Guards and the Scindian Convicts, the speakers knew their topics well and shared their knowledge with enthusiasm. Further, there were many displays around the walls relating to the Group Settlement Scheme /inter-war Migrants, Convicts, Enrolled Pensioner Forces, free immigrants and much more. You could tell a lot of time had been spent researching and writing up histories of various people and significant times in history. They provided an interesting read.

For those that wished, there was time to explore the library as well as enjoy a cuppa & cake.

Family History WA put on a very informative and enjoyable event. The weather was still a bit wily by the time I left. As I got into my nice warm car, I could only contemplate some of the weather conditions our forebears would have experienced on the ships during their journey by sea to Australia.

06/09/2025

Behind the scenes tour: Belmont Repository.

Thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the National Archives of Australia Belmont Repository. Kellie gave a fabulous talk and patiently answered everyone's questions from acid free boxes to types of records preserved and hints and tips for searching for records that may assist your research.

Photo's could not be taken inside which is fully understandable given the various records stored, privacy restrictions and the effect that flash photography can have. So you'll just have to believe me that this is a modern facility designed to store and protect records so they are available for current and future generations.

Thanks NAA Perth, great tour!

29/07/2025

Many of us would remember Mr Squiggle!

Celebrate the remarkable legacy of Norman Hetherington with our upcoming Spotlight Conversation!

Join Norman’s daughter, Rebecca, and grandson Tom as they share stories of growing up in Norman's creative orbit, followed by a special audience Q+A and an exclusive viewing of the 'Mr Squiggle and Friends' exhibition.

📅: Thursday 7 August, 6-7:30pm
📍: Gandel Atrium, National Museum of Australia

🎫 Hurry Up! Book your tickets: https://www.nma.gov.au/whats-on/spotlight-conversations

04/05/2025

2025 International Firefighters Day Memorial Service.

I attended the service today to remember the 100 firefighters in Western Australia who have lost their lives protecting our communities. Six of these were added to the memorial this year, five of whom have more than 30 years of service each, plus a young 20 year volunteer who lost his life protecting his community during a bushfire.

I have been involved with research of some of the historical fallen firefighters, including finding their living relatives, over the last few years. It is a privilege to now see families of these firefighters regularly attending a service that has become so important to them.

Their sacrifices are not forgotten

25/04/2025

At dawn on Anzac Day the rays of the rising sun shine directly through the arch at Onslow. A tribute to our service men and women who are proudly remembered for their service and sacrifices, so that we may live the life we do today.

Thank you.

Lest we forget.

09/04/2025

FULL TEXT SEARCH – Familysearch.org

Familysearch.org are currently experimenting with AI for translations, or what they call a “Full Text Search” where AI searches through all the translations it has completed and not just through the words that are in the indexes for the document. Besides doing your normal index searches on familysearch.org you may wish to also go the “experimental” webpage and try searching there as well, just in case AI finds something in it’s translations that wasn’t located during an index search. The link to the experimental page is https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/full-text

06/04/2025

TESTIMONIAL (from Peter Hood)

The information you have found is mindblowing......

- Peter Hood, Vic, Aust.
3 April 2025

03/04/2025

New series in Australia........

Host Marc Fennell, along with Journalist, Rae Johnston and an ancestry expert, Brad Argent,bring mass DNA testing to four Australian towns/neighbourhoods.The...

25/03/2025

A very easy interesting read.

By member Judy Purkiss   The book '1788, The Brutal Truth of the First Fleet', by David Hill was an easy interesting read about the 'biggest single overseas migration the world had ever seen'. The author had combined the story with quotes from many different sources to show various viewpoints relat...