Jan Gow (QSM)

 

Jan smlI have been ‘Hooked on Genealogy' since 1981 when I won an airfare to the States. On a friend's suggestion, I spent my first 5 days in Salt Lake City!! Still a ‘crawling' genealogist, I certainly graduated to a ‘walking' genealogist at a fast trot!!  All these years later, I am still a walking, running, galloping, marathoning, travelling, surfing, gliding, cruising, eat'n ‘n sleep'n, genealogist! 
So, I really started my family history research in Salt Lake City. Completely unprepared. I even mixed names on one of the few couples I knew - researched Catherine Peterson and James Henry, instead of Catherine Henry and James Peterson. Didn't matter! I was HOOKED!!

Straight home, looked up the phone book, found the Auckland Group meeting and was asked to go on the committee at my first meeting. Of course, going to Salt Lake City was just a day dream for those at the meeting and so I had a captive audience as I talked about researching there.
After just a few months, I was asked if I would like to be NZSG (New Zealand Soc. of Genealogists) Treasurer and then - three years later - President.  I was Treasurer and then President for three years each.
I have held various appointed positions and on different committees - the Rules Committee, the Privacy, the Legal Affairs, the Web Site, the Digital Archive, the Maritime Museum Liaison Officer, even counted votes a few times. FRC (Family Research Centre) tutor for many years. Interesting to realise that, apart from the Maritime Museum when I went overseas for 9 months, I have not resigned from any of these!  Convenor and committee member for the GCG (Genealogy Computer Group) we held Auckland meetings whilst I was President. Some involvement with Irish, Scottish and London Special Interest Groups. Started the Panmure and St Heliers branches of the NZSG, Presently the Liaison Officer for FamilySearch/NZSG, NZSG Life Member.   
Past Board Member Association of Professional Genealogists, Past Vice President and Council member of ARANZ (Archives and Records Association of NZ), Past Council member of AFFHO (Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations) - on the committee that ‘rescued' AFFHO when it was ready to fold in 1990.

 

Owner of Beehive Books (since 1987), the one-stop-shop for genealogists and Hooked on Genealogy Tours (since 1992) – each year preparing and escorting genealogists to Salt Lake City for three weeks and on to the UK for a further three weeks. Awarded the AFFHO Award for Meritorious Service to Family History in 2006. On the organising committee for the AFFHO Congress in Auckland in 2009, and the NZ Family History Fair in 2010. In fact, can claim to be the one who made the first phone call that resulted in the FHF committee being formed.                

Ten years writing a monthly genealogy column for NZ's NetGuide magazine, with a feature article most years.

Really enjoying being one of the presenters on FamilySearch's Research Classes Online.  I have said there that I need another category on my passport - that of Auskiwi - born in Australia, but living in NZ. With husband, in Auckland, but our three children live overseas - so we really appreciate Skype.        
 Also, starting in 1985, a local, national and international (land and waters) tutor, author and lecturer.

Looking back at my time as President, I remember the battle to bring the NZSG into the computer age. A computer for our magazine - well - what would now be called our desktop publisher! - but wasn't then of course - typesetter. A computer for the office (yes, we had a room in St Luke's Church Hall in Remuera) for the members' database (we used it to create the first booklet for the Cemetery fiche also). We also purchased, I think it was 2, laptop computers which were loaned to branches to use to create indexes etc. I remember talking to accountants about applying for Charitable status.

Then there was the School Admission Registers. Private records and we were refused permission to copy and index. Eventually, mainly because I was an elected Education Board member and had some ‘clout' we were given permission to photocopy the rolls and prepare an index to only be consulted on a one-to-one basis. The fact that there were lots of school fires around this time made it imperative the Admission Rolls were photocopied and originals lodged with Archives NZ.

I prepared the submission to gain permission to Index our Probate Records. We had groups working up and down the country in the local Offices.  Oh, that we had thought to do the same with the Birth, Death and Marriage registration books!! To have an Index to the local copies, rather than the RG copy - that would be something!! Could still be done. I wonder about the disaster copies, in safe keeping somewhere in Christchurch??  Away from Wellington you see.  But, great news that FamilySearch is digitizing the Probate Records and using our index! I believe that is a first. They usually have to index again from scratch even when an index exists - as happened with our Passenger Shipping.

Then - the FRD. NZ Families Research Directory. Modelled on the GRD (Genealogical Research Directory) but with our own NZ flavour. Published in 1990. Co-edited with Garth Houltham. Three hundred and sixty eight pages of blood, sweat and tears! I remember fighting the council just about every step!! And being in tears after an altercation with Colleen Main!! Garth and I wanted to set up MIDBA - Members' Interest DataBase. We designed the forms so that submitters could give, if they wished, permission for their research interests to be retained and form the basis of MIDBA. We asked that the Member's Interests in the magazine form also contain this clause, so that those entries could be part of MIDBA. Just imagine what this database would be like now - twenty years later. But no, council said no. Might detract from Member's Interests in the magazine was the reason given.

Other dreams not realised?  I would love to see Hatches and Matches and Despatches databases. Where genealogists could add their data and sources. From anything and everything (with copyright approval of course) - family bibles, baptism certificates, letters, newspapers etc. Images could be added and early settlers could be in family groups. Which could be added to. Oohh - just realised this sounds like FamNet!! Are you there Robert????      

And, I dreamt of regional CDs - but now would dream of regional websites I guess. Having seen the early correspondence when residents asked for a school to be established, I would expect that these letters would be there, following through until the school is built. Then Admission Rolls, Reunions, etc etc people adding to family groups with updated information and photos etc etc. The same could happened with local council archives and other appropriate groups - Plunkett Mothers, Dental Nurses etc etc. Robert??   

I realise how ‘lucky' I am to be taking the HOG Tours to SLC and onto the UK. To have that close involvement with Salt Lake City and FamilySearch is very special. To be six weeks with fellow genealogists is also very special. Some have come 10 and more times. How wonderful to have the chance to have friends like this.    
I love looking for new ideas for lectures, especially for organising your research - both before you start and once you are underway. I am keen on using FamNet for working together with family members and collecting data and memories. With a view to organising a family reunion in 2013. I need family members working with me now, to organise this. Robert???

And now, the QSM. This is really special, but could not have happened without all the wonderful genealogists I have touched shoulders with over the years. And lots, up and down the country, I have never met, but they are there enthusing, educating, encouraging and enjoying themselves too.
I have something new and special in mind for later this year - watch this space! Hear about it first on FamNet!!