Orange Family History Group

11/06/2026

FRIDAY - FAMILY HISTORY GROUP RESEARCH DAY:

We just wanted to remind everyone we are at Orange City Library on Fridays to help with your family history research!!

Call in and see us in the Local Studies Room between 10.30am and 3pm with your family history enquiry!!!

We may be able to help with a research breakthrough or point you in the right direction to search further resources.

We also have FREE access to Ancestry, Findmypast and Family Search using computers in the Library (at all Library branches).

You are welcome to call in and see us, or email your enquiry to us:
Email: [email protected]

28/05/2026

Full day family history seminar presented by Royal Australian Historical Society and Cowra Family History Group Inc coming up at Cowra. Details below...

2026 Cowra Regional Seminar: Five Windows into NSW History

The Royal Australian Historical Society, in partnership with the Cowra Family History Group, present a full-day seminar for genealogists, historians, and researchers, covering five types of collections essential to exploring local and family history.

Topics will include:

- The Registers of Assignments and Other Legal Instruments (Old Register)
- Apprenticeship records
- WWI Soldier Settlement records
- Historical land records
- NSW Railways

📅 Saturday, 13 June 2026 @ 10:00 am to 3:40 pm
📍 Club Cowra, 101 Brisbane Street, Cowra NSW 2794
🎫 $25 RAHS and affiliated society members | $30 non-members (includes a morning tea and lunch)
🎟 Bookings MUST close midday 5 June 2026
👉 https://www.rahs.org.au/shop/tickets-cowra-regional-seminar/

📷 Theatre Cowra and Hotel Lachlan (RAHS Postcard Collection)

21/05/2026

SHARE PHOTOS WITH RECOLLECT:

Recollect Central West is the place to share photos, stories, memories, and videos about life in Orange and the Central West online!!!

The community is invited to register, upload material, and help grow our region’s digital history!!!

Every contribution — from family photos to community events, personal stories to local memorabilia — helps preserve the rich heritage of our region for future generations!! And will make a great resource!!

Explore the website and start contributing here:
👉 https://centralwest.recollect.net.au
Be part of the story. Your history belongs here.

13/05/2026

PLEASE NOTE ALL RESEARCHERS - RYERSON INDEX WEBSITE - UPDATE:

The Ryerson Index website updates will be temporarily placed on hold for approximately 4 weeks while essential behind-the-scenes work is undertaken.
During this period:
• Search functions and existing records will remain available
• Lookups will continue as normal
• Volunteers will continue indexing in the background
• New updates and uploads will resume once work is completed.

More details below.

WEBSITE UPDATE NOTICE

The Ryerson Index website updates will be temporarily placed on hold for approximately 4 weeks while essential behind-the-scenes work is undertaken.

During this period:
• Search functions and existing records will remain available
• Lookups will continue as normal
• Volunteers will continue indexing in the background
• New updates and uploads will resume once work is completed

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time as we work to improve our systems and processes behind the scenes.

Expect a VERY large update when we're back up!
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers and supporters for your continued dedication to The Ryerson Index.

12/05/2026

KEEPING HISTORY WORKSHOP: Are you caring for historical documents, or keeping family photographs?

A handy workshop called Looking After History at Home with Orange Regional Museum is coming up soon. Details are below and there is a $35 fee.

09/05/2026

JOSIAH HOLMAN FAMILY HISTORY BOOK LAUNCH:

We enjoyed author Michael Webb's insight into the life of Josiah Holman, highlighting his travels to Canada, North America, Brazil and New Zealand - sacrifice, daring, discovery, and predictions this afternoon at Orange City Library hosted by Local Studies Librarian Ruth.

Michael launched his book From Two Lines: The Life Story of Captain Josiah Holman: A Gentleman of Great Practical Experience which the Library now has copies.

Captain Josiah Holman is best known within the Orange district as the original manager of the Cadia Mine in 1862.

Michael, great-great-grandson of Captain Josiah Holman, spent most of a decade researching the life of Holman, his family, and explorations using journals, diaries, maps, newspaper articles, letters and photos.

17/04/2026

Book Launch at Orange City Library.

Join us as we launch 'From Two Lines: Life Story of Captain Josiah Holman' by Michael P Webb.

Captain Josiah Holman is best known within the Orange District as the original manager of the Cadia mine. Michael Webb, his great-great-grandson has spent almost a decade examining the life of Josiah Holman and his family.

Join us at Orange City Library on Saturday 9 May 2026 at 2.00pm
Bookings are essential - Eventbrite.com.au or 6393 8132.

16/04/2026

Orange Family History Group Newsletter - April 2026

There are plenty of interesting articles to peruse in the latest edition of the Orange Family History Group Newsletter.

• Captain Josiah Holman - upcoming book launch in Orange
• Bletchington Public School – origin of sporting house names
• Dorothy Evans had a long and happy life
• Barbara Toy and her land rover Pollyanna
• Captain Thomas Raine – “a most enterprising colonist”
• Newspaper articles

Do you have a keen interest in research and family history? Why not join our group? We meet each month at the Orange City Library.

Are you looking for information on your ancestors in the local area? Send us an email to see what we can find.

Do you have an interesting story to tell about your local connections? Why not submit an article to be included in our next newsletter?

https://www.orange.nsw.gov.au/central-west-libraries/ofhg/

04/04/2026

Great to see Orange Mayor Tony Mileto at today’s event with Tom and Lister families commemorating the 175th anniversary of the discovery of the first payable gold in Australia. ✨⛏️

24/03/2026

Join in the Duntryleague Orange Family Day to celebrate 150 years!!! on 12 April..