Any family history researcher is keen to find a grave, or at least a grave site for their early ancestors. Many of us have spent time wandering around various cemeteries looking for a headstone relevant to us.   We are now excited to share that Dubbo Regional Council has  made records for all cemeteries within its council area available  to the public online.  To access what they call “Councils Memorial Mapper” I have found the following procedure the best way to gain access.  First go to the council website, click on Community and Groups under which  you will find cemeteries.  Then go to Search Cemetery Records where you will find a link to “Councils Memorial Mapper”.  Remember less information is sometimes the best with family research, so maybe start with just a surname. It will take a short time for the map to appear. Good luck.

Do you have any ancestors with the name Butler? This might be a gathering for you. As well as a variety of genealogy subjects there will be talks about Butlers who have contributed to the early development and history of NSW.  Names such as William Butler a convict on the First Fleet, James Butler who was the butler to John and Elizabeth Macarthur, Laurence Butler and Fernando Butler just to name a few.  You will hear about the Butlers from New Zealand and Argentina. As well, trips to the Elizabeth Farm, the Old Government House and Lancer;s Memorial Museum will be conducted. This event will take place from Friday 17th October to Monday 20th October 2025 and will be based at the Holiday Inn Hotel, at Warwick Farm.  Visit the website www.butlersocietysoutherncrossregion.org or email Alan Squires at squiresa@bigpond.net.au

Our Family History Rooms will be closed on Easter Saturday, 19th  April 2025.   

On Friday 6th December, committee members Linda Barnes, Sharon Scherrer and Colleen Braithwaite attended the council presentations of funding under the SPARC program.  It was wonderful to receive $1500 from Dubbo Regional Council under this program towards the publication of our updated, expanded and revised “Early Pioneers of Dubbo – pre 1882”.  The award was presented by mayor Josh Black at the Cultural Centre.  This new publication can be purchased for $55 from the society rooms, or by ordering on line.

This is the front cover of the new revised second edition of the Early Pioneers of Dubbo pre – 1882. .  A well attended book launch took place at the Cultural Centre on Friday 15th November, followed by afternoon tea.  This new publication can be purchased from our library for $55 plus $17.95 postage and handling.  Just download the order form from our publications section.

The hard working team (pictured here) of Linda Barnes, Sandy Logue, Lesley Abrahams, Di Chase and Karlyn Robinson worked tirelessly for 12 months to bring this publication to fruition.

DDFHS is offering a four week course to help people who are beginning their family history search, or who have started and are not sure what to do next.  Following are just some of the points to be covered:
How to organise information you already have.
Where to find new information.
Using birth, death and marriage certificates.
How to use online databases, both free and subscription.
Finding ancestors in immigration records.
The course will be conducted on each
Wednesday in March, that is the   6th, 13th, 20th and 27th of March.
They will run from 10.30am-12.30pm in the Music room at the Community Arts Centre.  Cost will be $7.50 per session for members , $15 per session for non-members.
You must book in for these courses so please contact Linda on 6887 8284 or email martinandlinda@gmail.com to reserve your spot for all or some of the courses.