News from Access Services at Public Record Office Victoria
August 2007– Number 24

rEsearch is a bi-monthly update on public access news at Public Record Office Victoria (PROV). Current and past editions of rEsearch are available online here and are also emailed to subscribers. Email a request to ask.prov@dvc.vic.gov.au if you want to be included on our subscriber list.

1. 1. FREE PROV INFORMATION SESSION IN ECHUCA
2. 2. PRISON REGISTERS ONLINE
3. 3. PUBLIC TRANSPORT CORPORATION (PTC) COLLECTION UPDATE
4. 4. SUMMERS PAST: GOLDEN DAYS IN THE SUN 1950-1970
5. 5. UPCOMING ISSUE OF 'PROVENANCE'
6. 6. PROVCASTS - PODCASTS NOW AVAILABLE ON PROV WEBSITE
7. 7. VOLUNTEERS NEWS
8. 8. NATIONAL FAMILY HISTORY WEEK 4 - 12 AUGUST
9. 9. CHHA EXPO, 6 - 7 OCTOBER 2007
10. 10. VICTORIAN SENIORS FESTIVAL WEEK, 7-14 OCTOBER
11. 11. HISTORY COUNCIL OF VICTORIA (HCV) ANNUAL LECTURE
12. 12 NEW AND UPDATED PROVGUIDES AND FINDING AIDS NOW AVAILABLE
13. 13 PROV SEMINAR SERIES 2007
14. 14 ARCHIVAL SUPPORT PROGRAM 2007
15. 15 NEW SERIES AVAILABLE ON THE PROV ONLINE CATALOGUE
16. 16 STAFF SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
17. 17 FEEDBACK
18. 18 ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

1. FREE PROV INFORMATION SESSION IN ECHUCA
Peter Harmsworth, President of the Public Records Advisory Council (PRAC), invites you to join him, PRAC members and PROV staff for a morning of information, ideas, and social interaction in Echuca. The free half day event includes sessions on the Places of Deposit program; Indigenous resources; how to access PROV records remotely; and services and products available to the public such as seminars, archival advice, publications and exhibitions.

The event will be held on Friday 21 September at the Shire of Campaspe offices. Participants will be treated to morning tea, lunch and ample time to network. So if you are interested in what PROV can offer you, then come along to this free event!

For more information, and bookings, contact Diane Brodie on (03) 9348 5673 or email <diane.brodie@prov.vic.gov.au>. RSVP by 10 September.

2. PRISON REGISTERS ONLINE
Since July, PROV has begun publishing to its website selected volumes from VPRS 515/P0 Central Register of Male Prisoners. Due to their fragile nature, the volumes have been closed to public access. However, as they undergo conservation treatment, PROV is able to make digital copies of the volumes available online.

The units closed for conservation are 6, 31, 47, 48, 51, 55, 61, 62, 65, 67, 68, 78, 82 and 83. The initial units published are 51, 55 and 61. The index to these records is also digitised and available online through the Access the Collection, digitised records and online indexes page available on the PROV website at <http://www.access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/PROVguides/PROVguide023/PROVguide023.jsp>

3. PUBLIC TRANSPORT CORPORATION (PTC) COLLECTION UPDATE
PROV recently published another 7,500 images from the PTC collection to its website, bringing the total PTC images available online to 23,400. Included are copies of glass plate negatives from the 'Advertising', 'Rolling Stock', 'Construction', 'Chief Electrical Engineer' and 'Signals' sequences. The images are currently available through the online image library <http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/online/ptc.asp>.

4. SUMMERS PAST: GOLDEN DAYS IN THE SUN 1950-1970
Now open at the Victorian Archives Centre is a travelling exhibition from the National Archives of Australia which provides an experience of Australian summers of decades past. 'Summers Past: Golden Days in the Sun, 1950-70', comprises 75 photographic images from the National Archives' Australian News and Information Bureau collection. Photographs are themed around fun in the sun, beach culture, summer activities and sports as experienced by many Australians at the time. The exhibition is on show until 11 November 2007.

For more information on the exhibition, visit the NAA website at <http://www.naa.gov.au/exhibitions/summers_past/summers_past.html> The tour of the exhibition is made possible by Visions of Australia.

5. UPCOMING ISSUE OF 'PROVENANCE'
'Provenance' is the free scholarly journal of Public Record Office Victoria (PROV), the Victorian state archives. 'Provenance' features peer-reviewed articles, and other contributions, that present reseach drawing upon records in PROV custody.
Issue no. 7 will be published online in late September 2007, and will be available at:
<http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/provenance/>

This year's issue contains the following contributions:
*Lee-Ann Monk presents a case study of Kew Asylum;
*Valerie Lovejoy examines the lives of Chinese miners on the Bendigo goldfield from 1854-1865;
*Benjamin Mountford and Keir Reeves present a case study of Chinese gold seekers in the central Victorian goldfields;
*Sarah Mirams explores the remote community of Mallacoota in the early twentieth century through the prism of education and school records;
*Lyn Payne explores the efforts of the Loch community to secure a school for their town;
*Peter Barrett reminds us about another stockade from Victoria's early history, the Collingwood stockade;
*Cate Elkner reports on the digitisation of a truly unique record from PROV's collection - a 4.5 x 6 metre map of Victoria;
*Jan Croggon explains how Sovereign Hill historians have used public records to re-create the goldfields town;
*Abigail Belfrage takes a figurative stroll along the Merri Creek, exploring and interpreting the landscape through a variety of records held by PROV;
*Sonia Jennings explores the connection between land ownership and the right to vote in nineteenth century Victoria;
*Alain Hosking researches the capital case file of John Hassett, who was wrongfully convicted for the severe bashing of Constable Albert Ernest Vizard in the seedy streets of Carlton in 1889; and
*Noni Dowling researches criminal trial briefs and capital case files relating to Frederick Jordan, a member of Port Melbourne's small African-American community in the late 1800s.

If you are interested in submitting an article for future issues or would like to receive an email reminder when each issue is published online, please contact the Editor, Sebastian Gurciullo by phone on (03) 9348 5600; or email <provenance@prov.vic.gov.au>

6. PROVCASTS - PODCASTS NOW AVAILABLE ON PROV WEBSITE
PROV is now producing selected recordings of seminars and events which will be posted as audio and video podcasts on the PROV website.

Two recent PROV events are now available at <http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/provcasts/>. These are: a presentation on school teacher Grace Neven using a special case file produced by the Education Department in the 1890s; and presentations delivered at the 'Frederick Bailey Deeming: Bigamy, Theft and Murder' seminar held at PROV on 22 May.

Stay tuned for the addition of two presentations on finding records about women in archival collections such as PROV.

7. VOLUNTEERS NEWS
One of the more delightful outward passenger lists PROV volunteers have recently indexed is that of the 'Changchow', which sailed to Auckland on 9 September 1884. On board was an equestrian circus spread over three decks.

In the salon were 2 agents; the Rolland family, all four of whom were gymnasts and the Faust family. Father of the Faust family was an acrobat while children Ted 21, Robert 17, Louise 17, Rose 12, Eugene 7, Victor 5, Fanny 5 and Gertie 4 were all equestrians.

In the second cabin were agents, actors, artists, 6 musicians, a clown and a further 5 single male equestrians. Steerage held 17 single male grooms, while the final recording was simply - eight Chinese men.

PROV volunteers look forward to coming across further unusual entries, such as these, through their indexing work.

8. NATIONAL FAMILY HISTORY WEEK 4 - 12 AUGUST
National Family History Week 2007 runs from 4 to 12 August. To see what is happening in your area, visit <http://www.familyhistoryweek.org.au>. PROV will be involved in two free-of-charge events during the week. See the website or scroll down to item 12, Staff Speaking Engagements for further details.

9. CHHA EXPO, 6 - 7 OCTOBER 2007
The Annual Central Highlands Historical Association (CHHA) Local History Expo in 2007 will be held over the weekend of 6 and 7 October, at the Australian Catholic University Acquinas Campus, Ballarat.

The theme for this year's Expo is to 'Highlight and Celebrate the Role of Volunteers in the Community'. PROV supports the CHHA Expo by providing prizes of archival supplies to the groups whose stalls best reflect the theme of the Expo.

The Expo will showcase stalls staffed by various organisations offering advice, information and research resources much of which is not available on the Internet. There will also be a number of workshops for the public to participate in which cover such themes as 'How to Research your Family Military History', 'Different Ways to Publish your Family History' and 'How to Date Old Photographs'.

For further information, contact CHHA by phone on (03) 5331 2847 or email <centralhighlands@yahoo.com.au>

10. VICTORIAN SENIORS FESTIVAL WEEK, 7-14 OCTOBER
Additional VAC Tours
As part of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Victorian Seniors Festival, PROV is delighted to be presenting additional free volunteer guided tours of the Victorian Archives Centre (VAC). Tours during Seniors Week will be held on Tuesday 9 October commencing at 10.00am, Friday 12 October at 10.00am 12.00pm and 2.00pm and Saturday 12 October at 11.00am. Tours take one hour and include a guided viewing of 'Summers Past: Golden Days in the Sun, 1950-1970' which is the current exhibition on display at the VAC; the shared PROV and National Archives of Australia Reading Room and the PROV repository which holds over 85kms of State government records dating from the early 1800s.

Bookings for the free tours of the VAC are essential and can be made by phoning Reception on (03) 9348 5600. Note that during Victorian Seniors Festival Week, Senior Card holders can travel on public transport free of charge. For further information on Victorian Seniors Festival Week, visit <http://www.seniors.vic.gov.au>. For information on all VAC tour dates and times for 2007 visit the PROV website at <http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/events/vactours.asp>

Introduction to Family History Internet Workshops at the Immigration Museum
Representatives from PROV, along with the Immigration Museum's Immigration Discovery Centre and the National Archives of Australia will be presenting introductory workshops on how to use the internet for family history research. Participants will be shown through the family history research tools and resources on the various organisations' websites.

The Workshops will be held at the Immigration Discovery Centre, Immigration Museum, Old Customs House, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne on Tuesday 9, Thursday 11 and Saturday 13 October from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. The cost is free but bookings essential as places are limited. For bookings and further information contact the Immigration Discovery Centre on ph. (03) 8341 7111 between 10.00am and 4.30pm.

11. HISTORY COUNCIL OF VICTORIA (HCV) ANNUAL LECTURE
Professor Janet McCalman, award winning author of social histories of Melbourne life and teacher of the history of health and medicine at the University of Melbourne, will present 'Fractional Identities: the Political Arithmetic of Aboriginal Victorians' at this year's HCV Annual Lecture at the Roadshow Theatre, State Library of Victoria on Thursday 29 November, 6.30pm.

Bookings are essential and can be made by phone on (03) 8664 7261. The cost to attend is $10 full price or $5 concession.

12. PROV SEMINAR SERIES 2007
The Seminar Series program includes such topics as; Ancestors in the Archives on Saturday 11 August; Researching at Geelong Heritage Centre on Wednesday 19 September; Crime and Punishment on Thursday 11 October; Australian Lebanese Stories in the Archives on Saturday 20 October; and Records of Work, our Employment and Industrial Heritage on Thursday 29 November. All seminars from July to November 2007 are free to attend, but bookings are essential.

The Seminar Series July - November 2007 brochure with full details on each seminar is available from PROV Reading Rooms or can be viewed and downloaded from the PROV website at <http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/events/seminars.asp>. Bookings are essential.

13. ARCHIVAL SUPPORT PROGRAM 2007
The Archival Support Program (ASP) offers training for small archives and collection holders. It is hosted in conjunction with the Australian Society of Archivists, the National Archives of Australia and PROV at the VAC, metropolitan and regional locations.

The last ASP for 2007 is 'Computers and Small Archives' on Saturday 10 November at the Victorian Archives Centre. The event is ideal for people wanting to find out about the databases and software that can be used to assist in managing and improving access to small archives. Presenters will talk about the practical and technical issues involved in creating access to electronic records including protecting and preserving data. The cost to attend is $25 per person (which includes morning tea, lunch and GST).

To register, pick up an ASP brochure with attached booking form from PROV Reading Rooms or view and download it from the PROV website at <http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/events/asprogram.asp>. Bookings are essential.

14. NEW AND UPDATED PROVGUIDES AND FINDING AIDS NOW AVAILABLE
Newly created PROVguides include:
*PROVguide 6 'Property Research at PROV' which will assist with researching properties using a wide range of records held by PROV; and
*PROVguide 10 'Ballarat Archives Centre Records' which provides information about records available through the BAC with a focus on records relating to local government, courts, mining and land.

Recently updated PROVguides include:
*PROVguide 9 'Ballarat Archives Centre Reading Room'. This PROVguide has been updated to provide more detailed information about the services available to researchers and government agencies through the BAC. It features a downloadable map showing the location of the Ballarat Archives Centre including transport and parking options.
*PROVguide 1 'PROV's Reading Room and Reference Services';
*PROVguide 4 'Ordering and Collecting Public Records - Government Access';
*PROVguide 22 'PROV Records Access Service Charter';
*PROVguide 65 'Koorie Family History Research at PROV'.

Other new Finding Aids researches may be interested in are:
*'Guide to Microfilm and Microfiche at the Victorian Archives Centre'; and
*'Guide to Microfilm and Microfiche at the Ballarat Archives Centre.
These guides list the research resources and public records available in PROV Reading Rooms on microfilm and microfiche and the online resources that are available on PROV's Reading Room computers. The guides can be found in hard copy in PROV Reading Rooms and online at: <http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/publications/PROVMicroformGuideVAC.pdf> and <http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/publications/PROVMicroformGuideBAC.pdf>.

15. NEW SERIES AVAILABLE ON THE PROV ONLINE CATALOGUE
We have created a new page at <http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/main/newrecords.asp> which lists new series that have been made available online. It is updated every two months as rEsearchis published.

16. STAFF SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Visit our Events Calendar at <http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/events/calendar/default.asp> for a list of upcoming PROV speaking engagements.

17. FEEDBACK
If you would like to send feedback and suggestions on the content of this newsletter or if you know someone who would be interested in receiving rEsearch, please email <ask.prov@prov.vic.gov.au> *Please note the new address*.

18. ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION
We have included you on our mailing list because you have indicated interest in receiving PROV information. However, if you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please email <ask.prov@prov.vic.gov.au> or phone PROV Reception (03) 9348 5600 and we will remove you from our list.

You can access the web page version of this newsletter at <http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/publications>. Back issues are also available on the website.

ISSN 1449-0323
Copyright © 2007 Public Record Office Victoria

Back to top