Australia: The Bombing of Darwin & One Family’s Story by A. A. Gallagher

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Julie Goucher

I came across this via Amazon UK (also available via Amazon US) and downloaded the material as I was interested to read further. In recent weeks, as this is the 70th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin by the Japanese, there has been some increased awareness. I have to say, that whilst I did know some of the details, I knew relatively little about the bombing of what Australian’s call the “Top End”.

I would not go as so far to say this is a book, more like an essay. That though, does not detract from the importance of the historical event or the events which involved the Darwin population at the time or indeed this family. So many of these stories are forgotten as time passes and a whole generation passes away. So this is a reminder of how the events evolved.

Complete with what I would refer to as an appendix there are references to various details on Wikipedia, information from the Australian Navy Archives, books and further notes. My only criticism is that in order to name the author for this review I had to look to Amazon for the answer, although there is the name of the author on the last page, rather than at the beginning.

This has the basis for a more in depth piece of work and I thank the author for sharing.

Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Lilacs (A – E) & (F – L) by Deborah Carney

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Julie Goucher
These are two books from a set of four showing some lovely photographs of Lilacs. 
The collection started as a trip, by the author, down memory lane. Reminders of a Grandmother and her love of Lilacs. The author found herself previously living close to a park that was home to lots of Lilac bushes. The author took opportunity to photograph those Lilac bushes and in doing so has collated a pictorial encyclopaedia of the flowers.
Some really beautiful photographic shots detailing all the different varieties of the flowers. The photographs reveal what you know will be a lovely fragrance, if only we could smell it!
I read successfully using my iPad. 
Tagged , | Leave a comment

100 Word Challenge – Week 32

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Julie Goucher

Joining the weekly 100 words challenge for Grown ups. This week the prompt is to use the following with no more than 100 words.

……..take a leap of faith…..

They had discussed plans for the future, but……
The whole downsize, relocate and travel plans were hanging there, flapping in the breeze, just not quite within reach, but why not?  There was always, the excuses, a room needs to be decorated, or work is getting too busy to think of moving house, or there is too much sorting to be done now and what is the rush?
Then on the other hand, life is for living and you only live once, not to mention, let there be no regrets.
Sometimes, a leap of faith is all that is needed.

Taking part in the 100 word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week #32
Submitted to what is set to be the biggest blogging event of the year – Feb29th.net

Posted in Writing | 3 Comments

100 Word Challenge – Week 31

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Julie Goucher

Joining the weekly 100 words challenge for Grown ups. This week the prompt is to use the following with no more than 100 words.

……..the flip side…..

She wandered into the bookshop and drifted along the bookshelves, occasionally touching the spine of a book or selecting a book to read the back cover. She stopped at a large display in the centre of the store and debated whether or not to purchase the hardback tome in front of her. She thought back to all the books she had already, on bursting shelves and toppling piles at home.
She reached into her bag and extracted a coin. The flip side must land on heads for her to buy the book. A few moments later she headed to the till.

Taking part in the 100 word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week #31

Posted in Writing | Leave a comment

The Reader Geneameme

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Julie Goucher

Geniaus has set us a challenge to honour the National Year of Reading. 
The list should be annotated in the following manner:

  • Things you have already done or found = bold type
  • Things you would like to do or find = italic and colour
  • Things you have not done or care to do = plain type

  1. Have you written any books? Yes and another in the early stages
  2. Have you published any books? Yes, a digital reprint on CD of a book written by someone else. My own will be self published and is currently being proof read.
  3. Can you recommend an inspiring biography? Billy by Pamela Stephenson
  4. Do you keep a reading log? If yes, in what format? Yes, in book form and have done so since 1982
  5. Are you a buyer or borrower of books? Both, but I buy more than I borrow!
  6. Where do you get your reading recommendations? Articles in the paper, or via blogs or Goodreads or LibraryThing
  7. What is the ONE genealogical reference book you can not do without? The Genealogist’s Guide to the Internet by Peter Christian
  8. Do you hoard books or do you discard them when you have finished? I am a dreadful book hoarder. In 2005 I had a major cull, the first since my childhood. I keep some books and discard others.
  9. How many books are in your genealogical library? LOTS and LOTS
  10. What is your favourite genealogy magazine or journal? Historically Family Tree Magazine (UK) but over time I have read all the published ones. I tend to now read many on line, but always buy a genealogy magazine when I am going off on a trip or if there is a special article I want to read. I actually have every genealogy magazine I have ever bought in the loft and am contemplating whether to keep them or not. Comments welcome! Family History Society journals are the same, I still have every copy. My favourite is the one published by the Guild of One Name Studies and the journals of the West Surrey FHS.
  11. Where are the bookshelves in your house? Everywhere, but mainly in my study on the 3rd floor of the house. (the poor removal men when they had to carry all the books and bookcases up all the stairs)
  12. Do you have an e-reader? Yes, A Kindle
  13. How many library cards do you have? Quite a few. Some might be dormant, but libraries usually unfreeze them with ID!
  14. What was the last genealogy title you read? Tracing your Channel Island Ancestors by Marie Louise Backhurst and Fragments of a Dream by Leopolda Dobrzensky.
  15. What is your favourite bookshop? My very favourite was a shop in Guildford called Thorps, it closed a few years ago. It was a real treasure trove. Otherwise I like Waterstones, but find they are not like they used to be and now prefer Amazon.
  16. Do you have a traditional printed encyclopedia in your house? – Not in the traditional sense, but I do own a copy of Who Do you Think You Are Encyclopaedia of Genealogy
  17. Who are the authors in your family tree and what have they written? Historically we have a few distant connections to authors – mainly on the BOWRING & BELLASIS line. Where the cost has not been too expensive I have purchased this books!
  18. Who is your favourite author? – I have a few – Bill Bryson is one of them, especially his book called “At Home”, another similar book is by Julie Myerson and is called “Home”. I also love the Elm Creek series of books by Jennifer Chiaverini. Another favourite is Helene Hanff, I love all her books. For some extra escapism I love the various cozy mysteries available via Amazon and the Alphabet series by Sue Grafton. 
  19. Where do you buy books? – Mainly on line at Amazon
  20. Can you nominate a must read fiction title? There are so many, a favourite is Floating Brothel by Sian Rees & Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes both books read more than once
  21. How many books are in your personal library? – I am too scared to count! there are LOTS and LOTS. Seriously, I really should catalogue my entire book collection including e-books. 
  22. What is your dictionary of choice? Oxford my Christmas present in 1986 was a leather bound edition with my initials on it which I still use.
  23. Where do you read? – Anywhere & everywhere. I hesitate in the bath it depends on how attached I am to the book. I once dropped a FHS journal in the bath and it never really recovered!
  24. What was your favourite childhood book? Various Enid Blyton books, some of which I still have.
  25. Do you have anything else to say about books and reading?  As a child I was allowed to purchase a book a week from Woolworths or Smiths.  I have comforting memories of being a little girl and sitting on my Grandmothers knee while she read to me. Some of those books I still have. I have because of this always loved books and being able to browse a table of books at a fete, shelves in a charity shop or in a booksellers. I love all things bookish!
Tagged | 3 Comments

Sunday Stamps – Burchell’s Zebra

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Julie Goucher
Welcome, to the latest Sunday Stamps posting, and what I think is my first for 2012. I can not believe where the time disappears too.

Over the last couple of months I have been focusing a bit more on my genealogical research and it was through this that I established a link, albeit, a distant once to the well know Botanist, William John Burchell. Burchell spent a lot of time overseas, firstly to St Helena, then onto South Africa and South America. As he travelled he wrote a journal and collected specimens.  It was through the course of this research that I established that Burchell had, had a Zebra named after him. I had no idea that there were different types of Zebra.

Issued 2007
dated circa 1950

So far, I just have these two items in my Burchell Zebra collection, but I suspect that I might acquire a few more!

Submitted as Sunday Stamps hosted by Viridian’s Postcard Blog

Posted in Ephemera, Postcards & Stamps | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Sunday Salon – February Round up!

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Julie Goucher

It is a glorious sunny Sunday here in the south west of England. There is a real feel of spring is in the air! The last few weeks I have been busy contemplating, reading, writing and reviewing.

I received a Kindle from my husband for Christmas who I think was under the impression that it would reduce the amount of books I have. I have not had the heart to tell him, that it has not worked! I still have piles of real books and a rather hefty amount on my Kindle. My contemplation is how to catalogue them? Any thoughts and comments gratefully received.

I took part in the TLC book tour this week by reviewing the latest in the Elm Creek series by Jennifer Chiaverini. You can read that review HERE. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next in the series. I read somewhere, that Jennifer has signed a new 3 book deal with her publisher which is excellent news!

I have also reviewed one of the books that I received for Christmas. Forgotten Bookmarks by Michael Popek. There was something about this book, from the minute I saw the cover I knew I wanted to read it. Well, I have spent the last couple of months reading cover to cover and then dipping in and enjoying some of the details again. That review is HERE.

For this week’s Weekend Cooking post I read and shared from this delightful little book. I purchased this last October whilst on our second visit to Jersey. A beautiful Island, with an amazing history and the closest the German Army got to British shores. The experiences of the German Occupation is widely recorded across the island. You can read about my trip HERE and read about this book HERE.

I have also read and looked at a few e-books recently and these will be reviewed over the coming week.

Apart from that I have had a few Guest posts published, all genealogical. Firstly on Catholic Gene, about my Catholic ancestors and then as an International post to the Graveyard Rabbit’s site.

I am almost at the end of two month long writing events  – Family History Writing Challenge and the NaBloPoMo Challenge. The word for February was Relative. I have written both every day, but they all need proof reading before posting to my blog, so there will be an influx this week.

Tagged | 12 Comments

Forgotten Bookmarks by Michael Popek

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Julie Goucher
I first became aware of this book by reading a blog written by someone. I then followed a load of links and eventually was introduced to the book, the website, Facebook page and the twitter feed. I added the book to my Amazon list and my intended next order. The book arrived under the Christmas tree, courtesy of my Mum and I have spent the last couple of months reading the book cover to cover and then delving back into random pages. 

In short I loved this book! The cover has a “read me” feel to it and once inside, the pages have an old feel to them. This is truly a collection of bits that have been found in random books by the author. Each page is filled with a photograph of the forgotten bookmark, a transcript of it along with a photograph and details of the book it was found in. There is no rhyme or reasoning behind the bookmarks used. Some are photographs, others are recipes and receipts, letters, postcards, beer mats and even a couple of actual bookmarks. The books they were left in are a mix of older books from the late 19th Century up until 2001. 

These bookmarks are so much more than that. They are snapshots of someone’s life, a glimpse into their world, even if for a short time. We have all done it, simply grabbed the nearest thing we could use as a bookmark, rummaged in a handbag,purse or wallet, or perhaps a notebook, even perhaps the corner from a magazine, book, newspaper. I have even been known to use an unused tissue or a square of toilet paper! It isn’t just the book these marks were left in, or the mark itself, perhaps it is also where the former reader left the book mark. What was it on that particular page that they found interesting? Or did someone else stumble across the book with the page marked and move the book mark. Whatever the reason or cause this is a great book to disappear into, with pondering and speculation of a previous owner or world we, as readers can never discover.
Tagged | 4 Comments

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy – Week 8 – Genealogy Libraries

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Julie Goucher
Week 8 – Genealogy Libraries – Genealogy libraries (and dedicated departments in regular libraries) are true treasures in the family history community. Tell us about your favourite genealogy library. What makes it special?
Challenge open from Sunday February 19th  – Saturday 25th February 2012

Over the years I have encountered several genealogical library treasures. The first was based at Guildford Surrey. My home town. When I started researching Surrey Archives were split between three venues
  • Surrey Records Office based at Kingston Upon Thames
  • Local Studies Library at Guildford Library. 
  • Guildford Muniments Room attached to the Library
The Local Studies library held a huge archive. Situated on the top floor of the main library next to the huge reference library with lots of study desks. The archives were held in a smaller room and the walls lined with book cabinets with glass fronts above a central dado rail and below there were a series of locked cupboards holding a real set of treasures. Isn’t it strange that a locked cupboard has an appeal to it? The library held newspapers on microfilm, Surrey Census Records, Parish Records and Tithe Maps. There was also a huge supply of photographs, books and drawings. 
The Muniments Room, attached to the Museum held the majority of archives for West Surrey, that didn’t fit at Kingston. I am not sure what the division of the records was, as records such as Tithe Maps for one parish were at the Library yet another at Kingston – it was a mystery really! 
Also within the confines of the Museum was the library for Surrey Archaeological Society, which was open only to members. All three libraries had a wonderful set of oak cabinets holding index cards with a central metal rod holding all the cards in place. These cards had everything indexed – places, people, villages, businesses – you name they appeared on a card. These were fabulous and I had more than one eureka moment!
Surrey Archives now has a modern super duper Records Centre based at Woking. Now all three collections come together under one roof which is fabulous for researchers, but I still think back to those days in the mid 1980s when I could simply look through the index cards on the back of a hunch. The Archaeological Society is still based at the Museum and still has their indexes. 
The library at Farnham was not a regular haunt for me, but one day whilst in Farnham  I nipped into the library and asked a local questions. I can’t even recall what the question was, but I was directed to the local studies room. The moment I heard that sentence I knew that I was in for a treat!  I headed off to the local studies room and the librarian directed me to a filing cabinet. I recall looking for whatever it was that I had asked for then when I had finished I looked in the rest of the cabinet. Well, it was open and how could I resist? 
Inside was a huge set of Poor Law Records, including Bastardy Bonds. Much of my ancestry lies in the confines of the Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire borders, so it is not too unusual to find references for Hampshire parishes – Liphook and Bramshott at archives in Surrey. I was delighted to see that I had stumbled across the Bastardy Bond for a Samuel Harris/Holt and not just any Samuel, but MY Samuel. I was delighted!
There have been other libraries too, one in particular that I recall in Yarram Victoria Australia and The Society of Genealogist Library (SOG) in London. Perhaps another post about these sometime.
Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sepia Saturday 114 – Shoes

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Julie Goucher
I wasn’t really sure what to post this weekend, then I searched for photograph to accompany a blog post I had written and I remembered these taken in July 2011 whilst on our trip to Jersey. 
I moment I saw these photos again, I knew they were the ones. Located at the Underground War Tunnels. You can read about our trip to Jersey HERE and I wrote four posts about the War Tunnels – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Taking part in Sepia Saturday
Tagged , | 11 Comments