During the week prior to my travels, I had been in contact with TransLink as trackwork was planned over the day I was traveling! A slight change to the schedule, car journey to the station, train ride # 1, bus, train ride # 2, flight, and then a taxi. (What a story – it’s not worth a comment!). I finally checked into my accommodation around 10:15 p.m., then it was sleeping time. It had been a very long day.
The Library.
My schedule for the first day was longer than the other days as I needed to get into the flow of using the microfilm reader again.
What I was not aware of was the two-hour time limit when using my library card to access the computer. I did find out that extensions were available. You needed to be logged into the computer to use the readers. You were able to save images to a USB drive. My first morning wasn’t very productive. I only scrolled through two roles and didn’t find much at all.
But here’s a note:
I asked myself what year am I looking at? It’s 2025, but the news is nearly the same. The world hasn’t moved on.
It was Russia, China, Israel, and, of course, the US president. It’s news from the late 1950s.
I asked myself what is going on? Are we stuck in some time loop?
Library Staff.
I would like to mention that the staff at the Dudley Denny City Library were exceptional. All those I had dealings with greeted me with a smile. No matter how many times they had to give me access to the Heritage Collection Room. Even the security guard was helpful.
Lara, the person in charge of this room, had a wealth of knowledge and pointed me to different books and useful websites. One thing we did discuss was the issue with the school.
She went online to the Queensland State Archives, where she located school admissions. There is a 70-year protection period on these records. It would have been useful if the school had advised me of this. However, going back to the 150th School anniversary, how was I able to view my 1962 admissions record?
I met many people in the Heritage Collection Room. It was a very pleasant experience. Anyone who reads this will know who they are. Thank you all for putting up with me for the week.
Process Change.
I changed my process on the first afternoon. I got faster as the days progressed into the week and had better results. From the birth, marriage, and death lists, I was able to locate family notices quicker.
I used the dates as a guide. Viewing the microfilm records for up to about a week after the event. If I found nothing, I checked a week prior.
Sadness.
Like any research no matter what it is, sadness will happen. I won’t go into the full details but I’m sure you’d get the idea. Reading death notices of those you once knew, brings up memories. Deaths so close together and as I was not living in this country at the time made it harder to deal with. Memories. I knew it would happen!
Surprises.
When you think you know your stuff, you find a family notice that provides a lot more information than you thought you’d find. It takes a while to digest the information but it sure is a surprise.
On the downside, you get the notices that have no name at all, just a death date, and the words loving husband or wife and ends with from the family!
Another surprise or not?
Breaks.
During my short breaks, I would get up from the reader and wander around the room. I looked through some of the regional historical books. These ranged from places and events like floods and basketball – an interest of mine way back in the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s. The breaks also allowed me to collect my thoughts and move on.
City Heart.
My lunch breaks took me out into the City Heart. The heart of the city was once a vibrant and busy place. Now, mostly office workers frequented the area to get lunch. I did find one shop I use to go to way back then – a local business – “Jeremiah Bullfrogs”. Many of the places I once knew are now but shells – closed down, boarded-up and not much life. The City Heart now has a very, very slow beat.
This ends, Helpers & Hearts.
See you in two weeks Tales & Tallies.
Acknowledgements:
Dudley Denny City Library: https://www.mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries/collections_and_online_library/heritage_resources
Three photos were taken by me: 1. Microfilm reader, 2. Readers & books on table & 3. Jeremiah Bullfrogs at 31a Wood Street, Mackay and you can find them on Facebook.
All other pics are from WordPress via Pexel.
Ancestor Family 