Judy Purkiss - Genealogist

13/08/2026

Q - Quiz the Family

❓ Genealogy Tips A to Z: Q is for QUIZ THE FAMILY

Your relatives are living databases! Before you dive into archives, quiz your family members—they might already know what you're searching for. This is different to an Oral Histories where you interview one person about their life and memories. Quizzing the family, maybe to collect documents and photographs, unravel a specific event or find clues to break down a brick wall.

Who to Quiz:
• Elderly relatives (priority!)
• The family "historian" or storyteller
• Distant cousins (they have different pieces of the puzzle)
• In-laws and step-relatives
• Family friends who knew your ancestors

Creative Ways to Quiz Family:
• Family reunions and gatherings
• Video or phone calls
• Email questionnaires
• Social media family groups
• Share documents and photos, asking "Who is this?"
• Cook traditional family recipes together while talking
• Sort through old photo albums together

Document Everything:
• Write down names, dates, and places mentioned
• Record who told you the information and when
• Note their relationship to the people they're discussing
• Ask for sources: "How do you know that?"
• Get spellings confirmed
• Request copies of any family documents or photos they have

Important:
• Be respectful of privacy and sensitive topics
• Don't correct or argue—just gather information
• Thank them and follow up with your findings

Action: Decide who to contact. Your next breakthrough might be a phone call away!

07/08/2026

Before Those Memories Fade: Preserving Family Slides

Many families have boxes of old photographic slides tucked away in cupboards, but these treasured memories won't last forever. Colours can fade, dust and mould can damage the film, and the equipment needed to view slides is becoming increasingly difficult to find. Digitising your slides now ensures they can be enjoyed and shared with future generations.

There are three main options for preserving your slides:
1. Use a professional scanning service. Many photo laboratories and specialist imaging businesses can scan slides at high resolution, producing excellent quality digital images with colour correction and dust removal. This is often the best option for large or valuable collections.
2. Purchase a slide scanner. If you have a substantial collection or enjoy doing the work yourself, a dedicated slide scanner can be a worthwhile investment. It allows you to scan at your own pace and often provides excellent results once you become familiar with the equipment.
3. Use library equipment. Some public libraries and local studies centres offer slide scanners or photo digitisation equipment free or low cost to use at their centre. This is an economical option if you only have a small collection to preserve. I recently did this at a local library and the staff were very helpful in showing how to use the equipment. I found the equipment could also digitise 35mm negatives. Remember to take a USB to save your images on.

Once your slides have been digitised, remember to back up the files as well. Label each image with names, dates, and places while the information is still fresh in your memory.

Preserving your family's slides today means protecting irreplaceable memories for tomorrow. A little time invested now can ensure your family's stories continue to be seen and shared for generations to come.

(Image created with AI)

02/08/2026

Have your West Australian family lines hit a dead end? 🪵⛏️

If your ancestors settled, worked, or vanished anywhere from Albany to the Goldfields, you may find the State Library of WA's, Dead Reckoning Handbook, to be a valuable resource.

First compiled by Steve Howell in 1997, Dead Reckoning acts as your ultimate guide through the West Australian genealogical jungle. It doesn’t just give you a list of names; it shows you exactly the type of records that exist and where to find them.

By using this guide, you can discover incredible, localized archives to aid your search, including:
• The WA Biographical Index (WABI): Excellent for tracking early colonial families across hubs like the Middle Swan, York, and Beverley.
• Goldfields & Timber Town Records: Perfect for locating transient miners or timber workers who didn't show up on standard electoral roles.
• Government Archival Records: Giving you clues on where to find unique local datasets, from early Swan River Colony land grants to regional police logs.

If you are stuck on a WA family line and wish to keep searching yourself, opening up Dead Reckoning via the State Library's website is the absolute best next step for your research. The book is available for online viewing - https://slwa.wa.gov.au/dead_reckoning/

Alternatively, if you don’t have the time and would prefer professional assistance, please send an email. Let's work together to bring your family's stories to light.

If you are a novice family historian just starting out tracing your family tree or an experienced genealogy researcher looking for whatever happened to the elusive great uncle, Dead Reckoning is your handbook to family history research in Western Australia.

01/08/2026

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 FAMILY HISTORY MONTH – AUGUST 2026

I kicked off Family History Month with a fascinating tour of the Midland Town Hall in Western Australia.

Having recently won an award for an article I wrote about a Federation-era cottage, I was interested to see another building from that era that was built for different purposes. Buildings are important as they are a result of people. People who planned them, built them, worked in them, adapted them, and remembered them that truly bring history to life.

The tour covered more than a century of history. The building was correctly described as being like the "Tardis". We learned about the original first stage of the building in the early 1900s, the addition of the Soldiers Memorial Clock in 1923, and then the later additions. Various architecture from the stained glass windows to crafted staircases were preserved. There were stories of old councillors, local servicemen, a near-demolition, and even a murder on the stairs! An interesting fact shared during the tour was that "the four-sided clock mounted on top of a dome" is believed to be unique in Western Australia.

If local history interests you, the Midland Town Hall tour runs once a month, is hosted by the wonderful volunteers at Midland and Districts Historical Society Inc. It’s free, you can book through https://events.humanitix.com/midland-town-hall-tours-2026-r82zn9ch .

As genealogists, we often research people through records, but walking through the places where history happened adds another dimension to the stories we uncover.

This was my first event for the month, are you attending any interesting events, tours, webinars etc for Family History Month?

30/07/2026

A genealogists dream... everyone will say "Yes"!

Question 65 on the Census is important to future family historians.
Answer YES to preserve this information for the future.

30/07/2026

P - Probates, Wills & Letters of Administration

📜 Genealogy Tips A to Z: P is for PROBATES, WILLS & LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION

Estate records are relationship goldmines! They often name every family member, reveal family dynamics, and provide details found nowhere else.

Types of Estate Records:
• Wills (testate—person left instructions)
• Letters of Administration (intestate—no will)
• Probate packets and case files
• Estate inventories (listing all possessions!)
• Estate sales and distributions
• Guardian appointments for minor children

What They Reveal:
• Names of spouses, children, grandchildren
• Names of married daughters (often with their married surnames!)
• Relationships explained ("my son-in-law John...")
• Clues about economic status through possessions
• Guardians for minor children (often revealing relatives)
• Witnesses (frequently family members)

Where to Find Them:
• State archives or record offices
• FamilySearch probate collections
• Ancestry and MyHeritage databases
• Newspapers (notices asking for creditors and/or notices stating the executor when probate approved)
• Note: If you wish to view newer probate documents you will need to contact the relevant probate office and determine if the laws will allow you to do so.

Pro Tips:
• Always get the complete probate packet, not just the will
• Check for contested estates—disputes create detailed records
• Look for estates of siblings too

These records can name three generations in a single document!

Action: Search for probate records for a couple of your ancestors this week

22/07/2026

🕵️‍♂️ Discover Your Story This August! 📜

Did you know that August is National Family History Month across Australia and New Zealand? Coordinated by the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations (AFFHO), this month is all about helping you trace your roots—whether you are a total beginner or a seasoned researcher.

This year's theme is "Ancestors: Mundane to Magnificent." It reminds us that every single story in our family tree—ordinary or extraordinary—is worth discovering. [1]
If you are based here in Western Australia, there are some incredible events happening to help you break down your research "brick walls":

• Grow Your Family Tree Days | 12 & 13 August at the State Library of WA 🌳
• Introduction to DNA & Family History | 14 August at Ruth Faulkner Library 🧬
• Family History Open Day | 30 August at Family History WA, Bayswater 📂
• Writing and Publishing your Family History | 11 August at Family History WA 🖋️

👇 Want the full list of local WA events, times, and booking links?
Check out our latest blog post or view the comprehensive list which includes online events via AFFHO - https://www.affho.org/whats-on/ ! Also check out your local library or council, many run events or help sessions, often free.

What is the most surprising thing you have uncovered about your ancestors so far? Let us know in the comments! 👇

16/07/2026

O - Oral Histories

🎤 Genealogy Tips A to Z: O is for ORAL HISTORIES

The clock is ticking! Recording your family's stories, memories, and voices is one of the most valuable gifts you can give future generations.

How to Conduct Oral Histories:
• Schedule dedicated time—don't rush these conversations
• Use audio or video recording (get permission first!)
• Start with open-ended questions: "Tell me about your childhood home..."
• Bring photos, documents, or objects to prompt memories
• Let silence happen—sometimes people need time to remember
• Follow tangents—the unexpected stories are often the best
• Record multiple sessions—memories surface over time
• Document the date, location, and participants

Great Questions to Ask:
• What do you remember about your grandparents?
• What was a typical day like when you were young?
• What foods did your family make?
• What language did your grandparents speak?
• What songs or sayings do you remember?
• What was your first job?
• How did you meet your spouse?

Preserve It:
• Create transcripts
• Make backup copies
• Share with family members
• Deposit with local historical societies or archives

Pro tip: Also search these repositories for oral histories that your ancestors may have provide.

Action: Do this NOW—tomorrow is not guaranteed!