Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

History and genealogy reflect local character

With a growing number of people expressing an interest in finding out about their family and local history, South Australia's City of Playford is providing amateur historians and genealogists with a host of resources to assist their endeavours. This reinforces the City's strategic planning objective 'to recognise culture as an integral part of the City's character'.

Work on gathering and cataloguing available information commenced four years ago. Members of the local community have been encouraged to assist Local History Officer, Linda Allery, with historical material that has been left unsorted for many years in the local libraries.

Currently, 22 volunteers assisting with the work enable local history enquiries to be made through an Online Public Access Catalogue. Two oral history projects have contributed to the collection, one recording the memories of 10 people involved in the Second World War and another recording 22 oral histories of early residents.

Interest in these projects prompted Linda Allery to compile two books, Elizabeth; From Dusty Plain to Royal Names and Migrant Heritage Places in Australia, both providing easily accessible local history. In addition, with the help of local sponsors of new technology, the library service assists people to conduct their own genealogical research.

The purchase of the IGI (International Genealogical Index) on CD ROM enables local residents to gain access to 290 million names within seconds. Prior to the introduction of these services, the study of genealogy could be costly and time consuming. Council's input means many more people can research their background, and has prompted the formation of the Playford Family History Society which meets twice per month.

The club provides an advice and referral service for interested newcomers. Interest in the service has grown to the extent that three full time volunteers now assist with the 100 enquiries received every week, providing a significant interactive community based activity. Due to growing demand, a user pays service now operates giving residents Internet access for $2 per hour.

Documents can be scanned for a small fee. The Family History Centre won a commendation in the recent National Awards for Innovation in Local Government for Use of Information Technology in Local Government.

The judges commented that this project gives an innovative example of how Local Government can identify and respond to Information Technology issues originating from within the community.

For further information contact Linda Allery, telephone (08) 8254 0343.

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