In this edition contributors share some very engaging family stories. Clare Claydon writes about her grandfather’s service in northern Greece during World War 1. Notably, he said ‘it was like going camping!’. Lesley Clementson tells of goldfields warden and magistrate Walter Butler and a mysterious family treasure – a simple wooden box containing a beautiful silver tea and coffee service. And was John Francis Murphy a ‘Wretched bigamist or a betrayed spouse?’ Author Jennifer Adams tells his story and allows the reader to decide.

To conclude our ‘Trades of the past’ series Margaret Vines takes us through the daily routine of her forebear Timothy Shannassy in ‘Driving a hansom cab’; Claire Dunlop delves into an enigmatic world in ‘Asylum attendant – a job for life’; and in ‘For want of a nail…’ Clare Claydon outlines the vital role her great grandfather, a farrier in the British Army, played in the health and well-being of the horses.
In this issue the GSV’s two Vice Presidents, Gary Buck and Peter Johnston, tell us about themselves and their research finds. We also report from the Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry, which was held in Brisbane in March. Our own David Down received the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations’ Meritorious Service to Family History Award. His significant contribution to family history over many years make him a most deserving winner. Not only did the GSV contingent at 2025 Congress find the content of the conference fascinating and valuable for their ongoing research, they were also thrilled to be in the room when David’s award was announced.

Our regular features explore a wealth of family history resources. Do you have ancestors who came to Australia from somewhere other than the British Isles? Research Corner outlines resources for researching naturalisation records in Australia. The ‘How to’ article explores the value of historical newspapers for your research, offering practical guidance on where to find them, how to search effectively, and tips to incorporate findings into family histories. Maps are also very useful tools for genealogists. ‘Getting it Write’ explores how they can both inform your family history writing and make your stories visually engaging.

Emma Hegarty
Editorial team