Donald Grant’s commitment to family history was unrivalled.OBITUARY
Donald Grant
Born: 1 May1932
Died: 30 June 2011
TYNONG North’s Donald Grant will be remembered as a tireless crusader in the field of family history and genealogy.
Born in Ormond in 1932 to parents Bill and Mary, he grew up in Caulfield and inner Melbourne before moving to the country later in life.
His love of books and family history started at a young age and at 22 he worked as a librarian in the Technical Library.
It wasn’t until 1966 that he married his wife Lorraine and they moved to Tynong North in 1986.
Mr Grant worked at the Public Record Office for 16 years and it was here that his dedication to family history and research was born.
He was well read, with a particular interest in European nobility and the history of royal families.
He published The House of Bonaparte and The Descendants of Queen Victoria during his working years.
This love of family history was unrivalled and resulted in a life-long volunteering commitment.
In 1962, he was made a fellow at the Genealogical Society Victoria and founded the Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies in 1973.
Four years later, he was helping to set up the first Australian Congress on Genealogy.
His other achievements include co-founding the Australian Association of Genealogists and Record Agents as well as contributing extensively to the Australian Federation of Family History and Organisation.
After retiring from the Public Records Office in 1996, he continued to volunteer for 10 years.
He also volunteered in the library of the Australian Conservation Foundation and at the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Mr Grant was also chairman and president of the State Library User Organisations Council.
This long list of volunteering did not go unnoticed.
In 2002, he was invited to be the first chairman of the Gippsland Historic Cemeteries Advisory Committee by Heritage Victoria.
In all of this, he found time to help out with deliveries at his daughter Alison’s florist shop in Pakenham and more recently minding his precious grandson.
Many hours were spent introducing grandson Mathieson to classical music and especially Andre Rieu.
His selfless contribution to genealogy and his extensive knowledge and dedication to family history have been recognised with an annual lecture and award in his honour.
Mr Grant was laid to rest at a funeral in Bunyip on July 8.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Lorraine and his only daughter Alison.
