By Esther Lauaki
Wyndham families are using local libraries to unlock their histories.
Council’s arts and heritage portfolio holder Tony Hooper said more than 500 people had discovered more about their heritage through Wyndham libraries in the past five years.
“Family history is a popular topic in Wyndham’s community,” Cr Hooper said.
“People are often surprised to learn where their relatives lived and travelled to, what their occupations were.
“Family history research is a bit like detective work – sometimes a mystery in the family tree pops up that people need to solve.”
He said a team of dedicated volunteers helped people research their family histories in the family and local history room at the Plaza Library six mornings a week.
“We also have a dedicated family and local history librarian at the Plaza Library four days a week who provides genealogy tours on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings to help people get started,” Cr Hooper said.
Wyndham library members have access to three free databases – Ancestry Library Edition, Find My Past and The British Newspaper Archives.
“After a genealogy tour and some time spent with our very experienced volunteers, people find their feet and are amazed by what they can discover,”
Cr Hooper said.
“In addition to our databases, we have a great genealogy library, so members can borrow some of the books to learn more at home.”
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