9 January 2024

Ten years of stories

Image generated by AI in Canva by providing the title text


Little did I know when I first started this Family History and Clippings blog ten years ago, that I would still have more to add ten years later. I set out to research and record family stories for myself and my siblings and their descendants. I hope that future generations will be interested in preserving our family stories.

Along the way I have learnt so much about my family's and my husband's ancestors.  I've had a lot of help from family, cousins and unrelated genealogy researchers sharing their expertise and knowledge.

The wonderful resource that is Trove, provided by the National Library of Australia has provided me with a wide range of stories. Some stories contained conflicting information sending me elsewhere to verify details. Some papers of the past were just as interested in salacious details as some of the present media outlets. Obituaries have helped me piece together many family relationships. They have been particularly useful for determining the married name of females. 
 
The research I have recorded on the blog has provided background material for my O'Dea stories booklet recently shared with close relatives. By recording one story at a time, the task of compiling a family history booklet and adding relevant photos was simplified.
During the coming year I will revisit the paternal Horgan stories contained within and publish a similar booklet to share with close families.

The advent of DNA testing has advanced my research and keeps me willing to write about and pursue further research. The ongoing digitisation of records has provided a boon for me with wills I would not otherwise be able to access, providing details about land holdings and executors of those estates. 

The increasing use of AI on so many platforms can both help and hinder accurate research but I look forward to seeing where it will take genealogy researchers. Trove has announced success with its Handwritten Text Recognition software. Other platforms have photo dating prediction software, AI tools for writing biographies and more.

While I have written very little in the past year, my research continues.
Thanks to all who have continued to read my blog and to all those who have shared their knowledge and expertise.


This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

19 December 2023

Accentuate the Positive 2023

Geneameme 2023 - front image on book generated using Microsoft co-pilot,
book image and text added in Photofunia

Each year Jill, GeniAus puts out an invitation to bloggers to Accentuate the Positive in the form of a geneameme that provides a range of prompts to reflect on our year in genealogy, and celebrate our successes. 
Below is my response to some of the prompts followed by ChatGPTs modification of my words.

1. On re-reading my mother's memoir I discovered some forgotten details.

2. In 2023 I reconnected with a living cousin when he emailed me to thank me for the research done on my mother's paternal line.

3. I'm pleased I replaced Twitter for genealogical discussion with Mastodon the social tool that is open source, has no advertising and a growing body of family history and genealogy users.

4. I was pleased that I finally purchased and read Your DNA guide by Diahan Southard

5. I enjoyed my journey to South Australia to visit five of my siblings in March 2023 not only for the opportunity to catch up with them but also to record some of the events in their lives for future generations.

6. I am pleased that I have been a member of Queensland Family History Society, receiving their newsletters and updates as well as having access to their online programs and data. This has helped me get an overview of ideas for our local group.

7. I made several DNA discoveries thanks to two siblings who tested and gave me control of their test results. These tests revealed connections with higher matches than showed in my matches list and thus enabled me to determine the correct lineages from sets of 2x gt-grandparents solving a couple of longstanding genealogical mysteries.

8. An informative Facebook group I have joined is We Are [enjoying our family histories] and while I have not yet committed to spending more on genealogy it is very interesting to see the development of this software with the ability to integrate blog posts with dynamic family trees, media and much more.

9.. Trove has helped me follow many marriages and deaths of descendants of my 2x gt-grandparents overcoming challenges such as missing records and gaps in historical data.

10. AI was new to me but I learnt so much from reading, experimenting and from presentations given by Andrew Redfern and Carole McCulloch.

11. The best value I got for my genealogy dollars was my membership of Genealogy South Australia.

12. It felt good to contribute to our local group by providing some classes and some technical expertise. I was pleased to be recognised outside the group by being asked to present sessions on a couple of topics for three different genealogical societies this year.

13. It was wonderful to catch up with genimates Pauleen and Fran for a recent lunch.

14. I wouldn't be without my Canon flatbed scanner as I continue to digitise documents and photos relevant to our lives and those of our ancestors.

15. I rewrote and updated some stories about our O'Dea ancestors who arrived in South Australia in 1854. This was distributed via email as a pdf attachment for close relatives.

16. I got a thrill from opening someone's eyes to the potential of using a variety of technology tools for genealogical purposes.

17. Another positive I would like to share is the continuing satisfaction I get from pursuing our families shared histories.



I asked ChatGPT to use the above text with the prompt acting as a professional genealogy blogger summarise my year
Here's the response: 

Genealogy Blogger Year in Review: A Journey of Rediscovery and Connection

As the year draws to a close, reflecting upon my genealogical journey in 2023 brings a wave of satisfaction and meaningful connections. Here's a summary of the highlights and discoveries that defined my year:

1. Rediscovering Family Narratives:
Revisiting my mother's memoir proved to be a treasure trove, unearthing forgotten details and enriching my understanding of our family history.

2. Reconnection through Research:
An unexpected email from a living cousin expressing gratitude for my research on my mother's paternal line led to a heartwarming reconnection, highlighting the power of shared family narratives.

3. Embracing Mastodon for Genealogical Discourse:
Replacing Twitter with Mastodon for genealogical discussions brought a sense of community. The open-source platform, free of advertisements, facilitated engaging conversations with a growing community of family history enthusiasts.

4. Empowering DNA Research:
Reading "Your DNA Guide" by Diahan Southard proved to be a pivotal moment, empowering me with insights that enhanced my DNA research capabilities.

5. Journey to South Australia:

March 2023 marked a memorable journey to South Australia, not only for the joy of reuniting with five siblings but also for recording significant events in their lives for future generations.

6. Queensland Family History Society Membership:
Being a member of the Queensland Family History Society provided valuable insights, newsletters, and access to online programs, shaping ideas for our local genealogical group.

7. DNA Discoveries:
Taking control of my siblings' DNA test results led to several breakthroughs, unravelling mysteries and connecting with distant relatives, enriching our family tree.

8. Exploring Innovative Genealogy Software:
Participation in the Facebook group "We Are [enjoying our family histories]" introduced me to innovative genealogy software, sparking interest in the evolving landscape of tools that integrate blog posts, dynamic family trees, and media.

9. Trove Triumphs:
Trove played a crucial role in overcoming challenges, helping trace marriages and deaths of descendants by bridging gaps in historical data.

10. AI Exploration:
Venturing into the realm of AI for genealogical purposes, learning from experts like Andrew Redfern and Carole McCulloch, opened new dimensions of understanding and application.

11. Value in Genealogical Memberships:
The most rewarding investment proved to be my membership with Genealogy South Australia, offering unparalleled value for my genealogy endeavours.

12. Contributing to the Local Genealogical Community:
Sharing expertise through classes and technical contributions to the local group not only felt fulfilling but also led to invitations to present sessions for three different genealogical societies.

13. Memorable Gatherings:

Lunch meetings with genimates Pauleen and Fran added a personal touch to the genealogical journey, creating lasting memories.

14. Essential Tools:
The Canon flatbed scanner remained an indispensable tool, facilitating the digitization of documents and photos vital to preserving our family's history.

15. Sharing Ancestral Stories:
Rewriting and updating stories about our O'Dea ancestors, distributed via email with PDF attachments for close relatives, ensured the preservation and dissemination of our shared history.

16. Inspiring Others:
The joy of opening someone's eyes to the potential of technology tools for genealogical purposes was a gratifying experience, fostering a sense of community and shared exploration.

17. Continuing Satisfaction:
Above all, the continuing satisfaction derived from delving into our family's shared histories remains the driving force, reaffirming the profound importance of preserving and celebrating our roots.


Back to my own words: ChatGPT is quite wordy and suggests more than one lunch with genimates, but can be used to improve some of my blog posts, or make suggestions for individual sentences. I would definitely take out some of its excessive use of adjectives. The headings certainly make for easier reading. 

How have your experiences been with ChatGPT or other AI tools?

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

20 August 2023

From Castlepollard to Adelaide

John Smyth : A great-grand uncle

A renowned speaker and gifted administrator who died young - John Smyth.

Early years
In December of 1824 near Castlepollard in County Westmeath, Ireland, John was born to the Catholic couple Francis Smyth and Mary McCormick. His birth marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that would touch the lives of many.

He attended Mr. Brady's Classical School in Cavan during his early years.(1) By the time he was 17,  eight younger siblings had been born; Anne, Thomas, Mary, James, Michael, Biddy, Francis, and Margaret. Edward, his older brother, had been born in 1823, a year before John.

Education for the priesthood
In 1846 at age 22, John entered the Diocesan Seminary of Navan in Meath. After a year’s study he went to the College of the Propaganda in Rome and was ordained as a priest on June 10, 1852.(2)
His ordination marked a pivotal moment in his life and that of his brothers, Edward, Thomas and James. 

Immigration
John was recruited by Bishop Murphy to serve in the diocese of Adelaide many thousands of miles from his home and family. John arrived in Melbourne in April 1853 (3)with another young priest Peter Hughes and then took the ship “Chilian” to Adelaide which berthed in May just a few weeks later. (4) Just 2 weeks after arriving in Adelaide, both John and Peter are listed as attending a levee held by the Lieutenant Governor to celebrate Her Majesty's birthday.(5)

A working life
Evidence of early effective speech making is afforded in this report of a fund raising function for St Francis Xavier's Cathedral. (6) John spent most of his career in Adelaide as he was appointed Administrator for the diocese. In his subsequent role as Vicar General, he managed the clergy and the business affairs of the church. He often travelled to the country areas, laying foundation stones for new churches, or preaching at the opening of these new churches. 

 Very Rev. John Smyth (Vicar General); seated on the left in the front row next to the
Rt. Rev. Bishop Laurence Bonaventure Sheil. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+11338


John's elder brother Edward arrived in the colony in 1859 followed by younger brother Thomas and then James in 1864.  In 1865 John laid the foundation stone for St Benedict's Church at Pinkerton's Plains within the neighbourhood where his brothers farmed. (7)

In 1869 the priests of the diocese expressed their thanks to John for his thoughtful and effective administration of the diocese in the two year absence of the Bishop. He was presented with a gold snuff box containing 50 sovereigns along with a written testimonial.  (8)

By 1870 John expressed hope for leave to visit his mother in Ireland after news of his father's death earlier that year. Alas he fell ill, perhaps it was the constant pressure of work. After three months of poor health he died on 30 June 1870.  (9)  

Extensive obituaries appeared in the newspapers of the day extolling his virtues and the sense of loss that the colony had suffered. (10)  A lengthy funeral procession followed.(11) (12)

Tributes
"His people, who mourned him so, built in his memory the mortuary chapel in the cemetery, in the vault of which his remains rest." (13)
Smyth Memorial Chapel, West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide
https://www.experienceadelaide.com.au/heritage-places/west-terrace-cemetery-john-smyth-memorial-chapel-west-terrace-adelaide/

 In 1885 George Loyau wrote of John Smyth that "as a preacher and platform orator he possessed an amount of eloquence and earnestness that were always effective."(14)

John Smyth's story summarised briefly here, was one of devotion, a life dedicated to serving God and his fellow human beings.


REFERENCE LIST

Early years and from Navan to Rome
(1) 1870 'DEATH OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC VICAR-GENERAL.', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), 30 June, p. 2 Edition: LATE EDITION,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196732180 

(2)  1906 Byrne, Monsignor F., History of the Catholic Church in South Australia, Archive CD Books p.83

Arrival in Melbourne
(3) 1853 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 18 April, p. 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4791740 

Arrival SA
(4)  1853 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 7 May, p. 2.  , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38463395 

Attendance at Levee
(5)  1853 'HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 25 May, p. 2., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38463456 

Fundraising for building of cathedral
(6) 1854 'PORT ELLIOT AND WELLINGTON.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 31 January, p. 3.   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48550830 

Laying foundation stone at St Benedict’s, Pinkerton Plains
 (7) 1865 'PORT ADELAIDE: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27.', Adelaide Observer (SA: 1843 - 1904), 30 September, p. 5.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159498126 

Presentation recognising service as Administrator and Vicar General
 (8) 1869 'PRESENTATION TO THE VERY REV. JOHN SMYTH.', The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889), 12 January, p. 3.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31985687

Death
 (9) 1870 'DEATH OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC VICAR-GENERAL.', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), 30 June, p. 2. (LATE EDITION), https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196732180/22384727  
 
 (10) 1870 'Family Notices', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), 30 June, p. 2. (LATE EDITION), viewed 19 Aug 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196732172 

Funeral
(11) 1870 'Advertising', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), 30 June, p. 2. (LATE EDITION), viewed 19 Aug 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196732182 

(12) 1870 'FUNERAL OF THE LATE R.C. VICAR GENERAL.', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), 4 July, p. 2. (LATE EDITION), http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196732288 

Recollections
 (13)  1923 'Very Rev. John Smyth, D.D., V.G.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 26 October, p. 4. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167743817

(14)  Loyau, George E.. Notable South Australians; Or, Colonists, Past and Present. Australia: Carey, Page & Company, Printers, 1885. P 234-235  Available Google books

Genealogy Snapshot

Name: John Smyth
Parents: Francis Smyth and Mary McCormick

Relationship to Carmel: Great-grand uncle, brother to Gt Grandfather Edward Smyth
  1. Gt. Grandfather: Edward Smyth
  2. Paternal Grandmother: Elizabeth Smyth
  3. Father: Edward Horgan
  4. Carmel
This post first appeared on https://earlieryears.blogspot.com/

Ten years of stories

Image generated by AI in Canva by providing the title text Little did I know when I first started this Family History and Clippings blog te...