Preserving our past for the future

• Author: Brenda Vowden brenda.vowden@nzme.co.nz
• Published date: 15 December 2021
• Publication title: Hastings Leader, The

“My grandfather and mother used to often talk about the old days, the funny and sad stories and tales, our English and German ancestors and relatives. My mother could rattle off the names of all 12 children in her mother’s family in the form of a rhyme and I was fascinated by it so I was determined to learn it. This led me to wanting to know more about these people.”

Margaret joined the NZ Society of Genealogists Inc. in 1978 and then the Hawke’s Bay branch around 1991, which she is currently the secretary/editor of. The branch will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year.

She says the society attracts a wide range of people from all walks of life and professions – age is no barrier.

“I guess it’s for anyone who is curious and wants to know more about their background, where they come from and what makes them like they are – and perhaps who they take after.”

The Hawke’s Bay branch has around 80 members, with attendance fluctuating from one meeting to the next depending on the time of day and the meeting topic.

“We could have 20 at one meeting and 40 at the next. Some members live too far away but like to stay connected with people of like mind and keep up to date with genealogical happenings through the branch newsletters.”

Margaret says membership has declined in the past 10 years, which is mainly due to age and a surge in material now available online.

“We now have Ancestry, FindMyPast and LDS FamilySearch websites which means younger people do not see the need to belong to a group. But most genealogy branches have material that can’t be found on the internet.”

Margaret believes anything can trigger an interest in a person’s genealogy.

“It might be for health reasons to see if there is an hereditary illness, some might have an...