Family history strikes a chord

THE Narre Warren and District Family History Group will present a family history display in the Narre Warren Library at Fountain Gate from 11am to 3pm on Wednesday, 21 August.
The display will be part of National Family History Week, sponsored by the Federal Government and the Church of the Latter Day Saints (LDS).
The church will open its Family History Centre at Fox Road, Narre Warren, on Saturday, 5 August from 10am to 4pm to help people starting research into their families.
The church’s Pakenham region director of public affairs Rod Gourlie said family history was the modern term for genealogical research.
Mr Gourlie said it was the fastestgrowing and most popular pastime in the world.
“People are realising that information about their families is being lost with the passing of grandparents and the older generations,” he said.
He said family history not only traced the socalled family tree but also expanded to incorporate histories of ancestral experiences.
“To be aware that one family member fought in the Crimean War, in the Charge of the Light Brigade, or was descendant from the Magna Carta may be interesting to some people,” Mr Gourlie said.
“For others to know that their family history came from Asia, Europe, North or South America, or Africa might be significant.
“Many people find common relationships back only five or six generations and may be surprised to find a neighbour or a friend who has a common ancestry three or four generations back.”