The Bega Valley Genealogy Society library has a large local section and most books are indexed for surnames. These surnames are then added to our Local Surnames Index, which is now up to volume seven. We have microfiche and microfilm reader printers which are very useful for reading our vast collection of records on microfiche and local newspapers on film. There are four computers holding over 300 CDs, including BDM indexes for all Australian states, ‘Family Search’ and ‘Find My Past’ for international births and marriages; and much, much more!
We are connected to the internet, which allows you to search many free, family history sites. Also, we now offer our members access to ‘Find My Past’ covering USA, Canada, UK, Scottish Census, Ireland & Australasia.
HOLDINGS LISTS:
X LOCAL
The ‘X Local’ is defined as the rest of the Australia and the World. The Library contains so many records, there is over a 100 pages of titles, so we will list just a few, Convict, Exiles & Early Settlers, Family Histories and Biographies, Immigration and Shipping, International.
To search this file: 1. left click on the link below. 2. when it opens up, right-click on the mouse. 3. a box will appear select FIND. 4. another box will appear in the top right hand side of the screen, either enter the name of a country, area, name etc. and search. 5. all results will be highlighted. HAPPY SEARCHING
Library Holdings (x Local) Mar 2015
LOCAL AREA
The ‘Local’ area is defined as the South Coast of New South Wales from Batemans Bay to the Victorian Border and includes the Monaro. The Library contains so much local information WHICH IS NOT ON THE INTERNET such as Family Histories and Collections of Biographies and the Pioneer Register, Local Rates Books for the Shire Councils and Lands Boards to name a few. Have a look at our extensive Holdings List.
To search this file: 1. left click on the link below. 2. when it opens up, right-click on the mouse. 3. a box will appear select FIND. 4. another box will appear in the top right hand side of the screen, either enter the name of an area, name etc. and search. 5. all results will be highlighted. HAPPY SEARCHING
Library Holdings (Local ) Mar 2015
KAMERUKA HOLDINGS:
THE BEGA VALLEY GENEALOGY SOCIETY holds full records covering THE KAMERUKA ESTATE for a period of over 140 years
These records deal with financial matters, employment records, dairy herd, cheese making records and everything to do with a varied and substantial Estate. It was professionally managed where everything was meticulously recorded for the benefit of absentee owners.
The Estate was developed along the lines of an English Village and was largely self-sufficient. It had up to 67 houses as well as public buildings, a Church, School and Sporting facilities. In 1914 the population was about three hundred and fifty, of whom thirty five men went to the Great War.
In the 1850’s, the Walker Brothers brought in a shipload of German workers and many of their dependants are still living in the district.
During its history Kameruka was used for beef and tallow production, later for dairying, sheep and wool and for a while fruit, with an extensive peach orchard. It suffered from all the usual farm problems, many of which sound familiar even today, including drought, flood, poor markets, price squeezing, transport difficulties and even a serious rabbit infestation. It is all in the papers
The Kameruka papers are complete, covering a long period and provide an original source of social and farming history
The Foster Family (former owners of the KAMERUKA ESTATE) have given the Bega Valley Genealogy Society a very large collection of photographs of Kameruka. To view or research this collection is by Appointment ONLY.
Example of the material available : Day Work Sheets for R. Shooks – click on the below photographs for a larger view.
AYRDALE PROPERTY – WOLUMLA
We have just received a wonderful legacy – a collection of documents and photos from the Ayrdale
property in Wolumla, covering the period 1862 – 1920.
Work is in progress sorting through this documentation.
http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2010/08/17/2985014.htm
BEGA VALLEY RATE BOOKS
In 1884 the Municipality of Bega was formed, and together with the Mumbulla and Imlay Shires, both formed in 1907, provided local government of the Bega Valley. All three amalgamated in 1981 to form the Bega Valley Shire Council
These original rate books are held in our Archives. We have created the following indexes, which include property owners and many occupiers
Ratepayers/Occupiers 1885-1939 Municipality of Bega
Ratepayers/Occupiers 1907-1958 Imlay Shire Bega
Ratepayers/Occupiers 1907-1953 Mumbulla Shire Bega
These indexes can show where and when you ancestors lived in the Bega Valley Shire. It can follow their movements as they changed addresses, will show if they lived in their properties or rented them to others
Example of the material available – Subject: David Kiss Year 1885
