Bega Valley Genealogy Society Inc
About Us
Photo courtesy Bega Valley Historical Society Inc
The Bald Hills School - John Bailes, teacher
Background of our Society
With 28 in attendance and two guest speakers from the Heraldry and Genealogy Society of Canberra, a meeting was held at the Pambula Public School on 1 August 1987 in the belief that those living in the Bega Valley were ready for a family history research facility. With a committee formed, the Bega Valley Genealogy Society (BVGS) was born.
The first monthly meeting was held on 25 August 1987 reporting 15 financial members.
Owing to the dedicated work of volunteers and an unanticipated growth in collections, the Society quickly outgrew a number of locations all the while looking for a permanent home. After quite a process that home was found - the Old Pambula Courthouse and Police Station (OPCHAPS) - initially leased for two years in March 1992 and later becoming the permanent home of the BVGS.
Whilst the normal activities of the Society continued, a sub-committee was formed to deal with lobbying efforts and complex negotiations for the ongoing use of OPCHAPS by the BVGS and a heritage listing. The activism grew when a “Save Our Courthouse” committee was formed along with community group representation to start lobbying:
the BVSC, State & Federal MP’s and the NSW Police Service. A fighting fund was launched and a petition signed by over 1,000 supporters and with the campaign coverage supported by the local media, it was assured of momentum.
At an Open Day on 22 February 1994, Federal MP, Jim Snow was so inspired that he became a member of the Society. The event gave the community an opportunity to see the resources available for family history research and its collections. It was at this Open Day that the Australian Heritage Commission decided that OPCHAPS was worthy of listing.
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Success could never have been achieved without vision and initiative - there is nothing as inevitable as an idea whose time has arrived! A dedicated team of volunteering men and women – from then to now - has continued the work of the founding group. This is the genesis of the Society’s collections policy. The Society is a custodian of an invaluable local collection – a local asset for the benefit of future generations.
Our Objective
To grow a research and maintain a library facility: collect, preserve and archive; educate – disseminate knowledge through exhibitions, publications and other; maintain collections of local significance to assist people trace their ancestral links to the Bega Valley; also, to include invaluable archival collections and other.
Our Collection
Chiefly, local history books, journals and other; family history books and family papers and other; microfilms and microfiche; old maps, historic local photographs, old newspapers, indexes of local courthouse records;old birth, deaths and marriage records; subscription services; data bases for searching catalogued and indexed archival information. Significant and important collections: Kameruka Estate, Ayrdale, Imlay and Mumbulla Shire Council and Bega Municipal Council rate books; Monumental Inscriptions – books researched and written by our
volunteers; small artefacts and more.
Our People
Bringing together a volunteering group of people from a diverse range of occupations, skills and interests. People who have come to the Society with an interest in their own family history or simply curious
about an ancestor/relative. Some have written accounts about their own family history. Some might have done courses in family history studies. Enduring friendships are formed.
Our Users
People researching their family history; people and/or organisations seeking information or photos on old houses and buildings – who might have lived there and/or its utility - an example: Baddeley Cottage that was the subject of a Restoration Australia program! People make contact from all over Australia and the world - people who mostly have ancestral links to the Bega Valley.
Our Committee
The Society has an active committee. In any twelve months we have: six committee meetings and more if required; five general meetings. Committee meetings cover a broad range of business including reports on our core business – research, library, collections etc.
Other: The Society holds annual exhibitions and publishes a very informative journal each four months.
