Books and book launches
Ever since I was a young child, I have enjoyed reading and even wanted to be a librarian until I found out I would have to dissect books to look for themes and nuances etc. Well that was not for me! Instead I began buying books related to the teaching profession and the Tasmanian Curriculum as it was then. I always preferred to have my own copy of the book rather than a photocopy – must have known about copyright early in my teaching days.
But I was also interested in history, particularly Australian and Tasmanian history. I inherited this from my father who was and still is, a collector of Tasmaniana. But now he is getting older, he is starting to sort out his office shelves so I am getting many of his books about Tasmanian people and places.
He is a member of the Bellerive Historical Society and we both attended a book launch last week in the Rosny Barn. This book about the City of Clarence and its history was written by John Sargeant, the president of the society. I am a member of the Sorell Historical Society and received an invite to a book launch today at Orford. It was held at Malunnah, a beautiful cottage owned by descendants of the Meredith family, and it was the launch of Louisa Anne Meredith’s books My Bush Friends in Tasmania which she first published in 1860. The event was hosted by the Glamorgan/ Spring Bay Historical Society.
I rarely buy books now as I already have so many, but what do I look for in a history book?
- an index giving names and places
- appendix or bibliography of other books used
- sources or references I can check if I find something relating to my family history
Ways to find books that might relate to your family history is to join historical societies for towns or counties where your relatives lived. Look for books that might mention the social scene of the time your relatives were living there; this might give you clues for more research through newspapers where your relatives might be mentioned by name.
Readers: Please leave a comment about something beginning with B that relates to your family history or your research.
