Genealogy – the search for our greatest treasures – our ancestors

 

 BRANCH INFORMATION and NEWS

MEMBERSHIP and CONTACTS,

MEETINGS and ACTIVITIES

 

HOME PAGE

ABOUT OUR BRANCH

 (see map below showing our region in the South Island, New Zealand)

 

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Clyde Street, Balclutha looking south

Our History

 

It all began in 1971 as a group of girlfriends with a common interest in family history met casually.  They began transcribing local cemeteries – 7 in five months!  In October 1971 this group became the ‘Balclutha Genealogical Society’ with 11 members.  From those beginnings to the present day as a branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists, we owe much to the efforts of our early members and the projects they undertook.

 

Our Aims (in brief)

 

To bring together and assist all who share an interest in family and local history, and to promote and encourage accurate research of New Zealand families’ history.

         

To encourage preservation of records of genealogical and historical value.                   

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Clyde Street, Balclutha

Crown Hotel and Coffee Palace at right

                                                                                               

 MEMBERSHIP AND CONTACTS

 

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Early Fire Engine, George Street, Balclutha

Why not join us?

 

Full Branch Membership

NZ$20 per annum

Newsletter Only

NZ$10 per annum

   (Posted in New Zealand or emailed)

Our members enjoy meetings, speakers, trips, events and a monthly newsletter, but most of all learning and sharing a common interest in family history in a relaxed and friendly group.

 

Branch Contact:

Secretary

Balclutha@genealogy.org.nz

 

 

OR

 

NZSG Balclutha Branch

C/ R Richardson

Golfers Drive

Balclutha 9230

New Zealand

  

MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES

  

Our meetings are friendly and informal. 

    We warmly welcome visitors and prospective members to all our activities.

 

Meetings:

Where

Public Library, John Street, Balclutha

 

When

1st Thursday of each month except January

at 7.30 pm. (Research from 6.45 pm - 7.30 pm)

Research:

Where

Public Library, John Street, Balclutha

 

When

3rd Thursday of each month except December and January.  

7 – 9 pm

             

MEETING DATES

2010, 2011

Meeting start 7.30pm (see above)

 

·         December 2nd – Christmas supper

·         January 2011 – no meeting

·         February 3rd 2011 – topic to be advised

 

 

RESEARCH NIGHT DATES

2010, 2011

7-9pm (see above) – research help and guidance on hand

Come along and explore our resources

        

·         November 18th – ‘Focus on finding NZ births, deaths and marriages (bdm’s)’  This will look at the NZ bdm registration website and using the bdm registration indexes on microfiche.

·         December – no research night

·         January 2011 – no research night

·         February 17th

 

 

Speakers, trips and activities are organised throughout the year along with a bi-monthly newsletter.

 

Contact:

Balclutha@genealogy.org.nz

OR postal

See above

Branch members are also able to research during public library open hours:

                Monday to Thursday  10am – 5pm

                Tuesday evening 7pm – 8pm

                Friday  10am – 6pm

                Saturday  10am – 12 noon      

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New Years Day Sports Day 1900

at Wilsher Bay near Kaka Point

 

 

 

 

An excellent option for those with research in South Otago and who live beyond our region is to take out a ‘Newsletter Only’ subscription.   See ‘Membership and Contacts’ above.

 

 

NEWS

·        Fundraising – We are currently undertaking a big fundraising effort in order to purchase a new microfilm reader to be housed at the Balclutha Public Library.  This is a big deal for our small group as the amount required is $16,000-$20,000..  We are grateful to the Clutha District Council for agreeing to assist us with up to $8,000.  The existing microfilm reader no longer prints and is unable to be repaired and other parts are badly worn and not working well.

·        Fundraising efforts and events

·         Check out our items on Trade Me that we are offering for sale.  All proceeds from this are going towards the microfilm reader funds.  Our Trade Me name is grr8genies.

·         Saturday 11th December – Balclutha Market Day, Clyde Street.  We will be stallholders at this event.

 

Visiting South Otago?

For research assistance while in our region, you can contact us through:

Public Library, John Street, Balclutha

OR

Information Centre, Clyde Street, Balclutha (near the Bridge)

Or email us at:  Balclutha@genealogy.org.nz 

We are happy to undertake research for you prior to your visit.

 

Where in the world is Balclutha?

       See maps at right.          

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South Otago showing Balclutha

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New Zealand

  

 SALES

 

‘My Grandmother’s Kitchen’

A Collection of Recipes

Seasoned with

Memories and Tales of the Past

 

Not just another recipe book, this is a celebration of our branch which has been in existence for 35 years (2006).  Coil bound for ease of use on the kitchen bench and with a laminated cover, the 120 pages are packed full of good old fashioned recipes, family favourites, interesting and unusual recipes along with memories, anecdotes, old sayings and Grandma's good old fashioned advice, all submitted by past and present members.   Complete with humorous illustrations, a brief history and genealogy tips, we hope it will be enjoyed by many, not only for a good feed but also for a good read.

 

Priced at NZ$10 each plus $5 p&p. (NZ)

 

Click HERE to request your copy

 

‘The Inch’

The Reproduction and Update of the Story of

Stirling and Inch Clutha

By Alma M. Rutherford

 

This is an excellent local history, 224 pgs with photographs and full index

 

Available from us for NZ$25 + $5 p&p (NZ)

Total NZ$30 per copy

 

Click HERE to request your copy

 

‘The Mist of Time – The Story of Romahapa’

by Ethel U McLaren

 

Romahapa, known in the early settlement as East Clutha, South Clutha or Puerua was one of the earliest settlements in South Otago and families spread throughout New Zealand and beyond. It gives a wonderful picture of the early days and families up to the 1980's of this part of South Otago. The book has 65 pages with 28 photos, a map and an index, the index added on the reprint. The book is A4 sized and signed by the author.

 

 Available from us for NZ$15 + $5 p&p (NZ)

Total NZ$20 per copy

 

Click HERE to request your copy

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“Genealogists never lose their jobs, they just go to another branch”

 

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‘Branch Information’ last updated 10 Nov 2010  

© NZSG Balclutha Branch (Balclutha Genealogical Society)