Joining the Hurstville Family History Society comes with a health warning - you are likely to catch “genie-allergy”.
This is the term used by Hurstville Family History Society president Pamela Samuels for catching the family history research bug.
“Genealogy is very contagious,” Mrs Samuel said. “Once you start studying your family tree you can’t stop. It’s like an allergy you can’t get rid of. That’s why we call it genie-allergy. It’s an allergy from your genes.
“Your research about our family takes you all over the world. You don’t know where you are going to end up.’’
Earlier this month, the society celebrated its 30th anniversary with a luncheon at Hurstville Museum and Gallery.
The society meets regularly at Hurstville Library.
‘’The collaboration between the society and the Hurstville City Council, recently renamed George’s River Council has been mutually beneficial and has provided a great service to many historians in the area,’’ Mrs Samuels said.
‘’Over the past 30 years we have purchased a large collection of books, CDs, DVDs and have a considerable library of our own, which has been of great assistance to our members.
‘’We have published a number of books, namely, Pioneers Down Under which contains the stories of those buried in the graveyard of St George’s Anglican Church, Hurstville.’’
The society has also published Kogarah Pioneers Down under which contains stories of those buried in the graveyard of St Paul’s Anglican Church Kogarah, and The Tumult and the Shouting Dies, accounts of World War 1 ancestors and family members of Hurstville Family History Society Members.
The Society also has a number of CDs including St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, BDM.s 1997-2001 and an index to the St George Advocate, a newspaper published between 1898-1902.
“One of our family history members formed the Hurstville Seniors Computer Club in 1998 and some of our members are still volunteering as tutors at this club.
“With the introduction of computer technology tracing your family history has become a lot easier than spending hours going through microfiche and microfilm on the old readers.
“Now with the press of a button someone’s family tree can pop up on a computer screen right in front of you. Mind you it is not always correct.
“You really have to do your own research.It’s use having a list of names and dates with no track record, you have to put the flesh on the bones.
“Also with the introduction of emails most of the family history societies are now opting to digitise their journals and newsletters and after lots of thought and consideration we also have also recently decided to send our newsletters electronically.
‘’We are a small society compared to others so you will agree it is a great achievement that we have survived 30 years.’’
Hurstville Family History Society meets in the Exhibition Room, Hurstville City Library at 10a.m. on the second Wednesday of the month.
Contact society president Pamela Samuels on 95226956.
