1915 – The landing at Gallipoli. 1916 – The Battle of the Somme. 1940 – The Battle of Britain. 1942 – The Battle of Malta. 1945 – Burma’s liberation from Japan. If ever there was one story of an Anzac who encapsulates both World War I and World War II – whose report card reads Read More
There are lots of family history societies around Australia and New Zealand and they play a key role in genealogy research. Membership fees are typically very reasonable, so here are some great reasons why it’s worth joining up. 1. They can help you get started. If you’re new to family history, joining a family history Read More
Anzac Day goes beyond the anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli in 1915. It’s the day on which we remember all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in war and on operational service past and present. To commemorate Anzac Day on April 25th, we wanted to acknowledge the brave men and women in Read More
Why is August to important in family history circles? It’s National Family History Month (NFHM) – an initiative by the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations (AFFHO)! AFFHO is organising and facilitating the initiative via the NFHM website. It is hoped that 2018 is the biggest year yet in terms of interest and number of Read More
Sharing your family’s legacy is so important for strengthening family bonds and reliving traditions that will make memories for every generation. It can be particularly valuable if you’re just starting out on your family history journey, or are trying to break through a brick wall. Take the time to sit down with your relatives to Read More
By Cassie Mercer and Mark Webster Gallipoli was a marker in the growth of Antipodean national identity for New Zealand as well as Australia. In New Zealand, it’s said that everyone with Kiwi connections for three generations has a line to a soldier at Gallipoli. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark had relatives there. Actor Russell Read More
Fancy a kangaroo steamer? How about a schnitzel with a side of sauerkraut? Or maybe you’re a fan of couscous and dal? Whatever your food passions, imagine connecting to your family history through knowing what your ancestors ate. Some popular contemporary diets are loosely based on how our forebears fuelled themselves – for example the Read More
Military records can be valuable sources of information for genealogists, helping you to find enlistment dates, learn about famous battles and discover the unique stories of the heroes in your family tree. We’ve put together some tips to help you get the most out of Ancestry’s extensive collection of military records: The best way to Read More
Has Ancestry helped you learn something interesting about your family? Or did you receive surprising AncestryDNA results? Perhaps you’ve connected with long lost relatives? Or been inspired to travel somewhere new? Nothing speaks to the power of Ancestry better than our very own members and we’re currently in search of the most compelling and unique Read More
For family historian Geoff Oliver, the centenary of World War One prompted him to start discovering more about a military ancestor. What he uncovered led him to remember the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele with special significance. From France to Cootamundra, NSW, 30 October 1917: I regret very much to inform you of the Read More