Orange Family History Group

09/10/2026

FRIDAY - ORANGE FAMILY HISTORY GROUP RESEARCH DAY:

We just wanted to remind everyone our volunteers are in the house!! at Orange City Library on Fridays to help with your family history research!!

Call in and see our experienced researchers 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.

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

You are welcome to call in or email your enquiry:
Email: [email protected]

See you soon!!!

07/10/2026

TIME FOR SOME REFLECTION: Well... this is unusual and different! It's an advertisement from The Mirror: The Magazine of Orange High School dated November 1930!!!!

It says:
"Don't Divorce Your Wife.
If she can't cook
Dine at Merrin's I.X.L. Cafe
Where Hot Dinners are a speciality
Cool drinks, fruit and confectionary always in stock."

Does anyone know about Merrin's Cafe?

?

29/09/2026

FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH MILESTONE: Today the Births, Deaths and Marriages index in the Central West Libraries catalogue reached a new milestone - 170,000 entries!!!! That's 170,000 lives, stories and connections saved!!! for future researchers!!!!

The newspaper indexing project began in 2010 with a team of 12 volunteers from the Orange Family History Group poring through the Central Western Daily recording births, marriages, deaths, funeral notices, probate notices, naturalisation and other commemorative notices. Today long-serving volunteer Julie (pictured) entered the 170,076th record!!!

We extend our congratulations and thanks to Julie and all the other volunteers who have helped to create this invaluable resource for family history researchers!!! It is an outstanding achievement!!!

By archiving these moments, we are bridging generations and ensuring these individuals are never forgotten.

Visit the Central West Libraries Catalogue to search for a listing.

19/09/2026

Can you help Orange Regional Museum with local stories and objects relating to World War ll? Details below....

26/08/2026

Have you used Trove to research your family’s story this Family History Month? Share your story with the National Library of Australia (Details below).

And just a reminder during Family History Month about this amazing resource for family history research - Trove!!!

Trove is an incredible resource for uncovering information about your ancestors. Explore a wealth of knowledge through digitised newspapers, photographs, letters, diaries and more!

But be warned - once you start searching - it is hard to stop!

Have you used Trove to research your family’s story this Family History Month?

Trove is an incredible resource for uncovering information about your ancestors. Explore a wealth of knowledge through digitised newspapers, photographs, letters, diaries and more!

Start exploring Trove: https://brnw.ch/21x5bem

If you have used Trove to explore your family's story, we’d love to hear about it. Share your findings by submitting a Trove Story: https://brnw.ch/21x5bel

[Image description: Newspaper article titled ‘Wedding’ with a picture of a smiling bride in a white lace gown, holding a bouquet of carnations and frangipanis.]

13/08/2026

August is Family History Month!!!

August is National Family History Month and there’s no better time to delve into researching your family history.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced researcher, Central West Libraries has a range of resources to help you on your research journey.

Our volunteers are here to assist with your research questions each Friday from 10am to 3pm. Come in and visit,or send an email to:

[email protected]

While in the Library you can access records including Births, Deaths and Marriages, Passenger Lists and Military Records via free access to Find My Past or Ancestry.com.

There is no time like the present to begin your family history research!

See you soon!

04/08/2026

Meet the team leader behind Orange Cemetery for Local Government Week!

01/08/2026

Happy Family History Month!! Here are some oral history resources from the National Library of Australia!

Happy Family History Month!

When it comes to family history research, there are all kinds of resources available to learn more about your ancestors and the time they lived. But have you ever considered oral history recordings?

Our Special Collections Research and Support team has created a list of our oral history collections that can enrich your family history research.

Read the blog: https://brnw.ch/21x4B4a

[Image description: Four members of the Special Collections Research and Support team sitting at computers in the Main Reading Room smiling at the camera.]

11/07/2026

Celebrating 50 years of Orange Civic Theatre!! Get in touch if you have photos, stories or memorabilia!!

🌟 Were You at Opening Night? 🌟

On Saturday 9 October 1976, the Orange Civic Theatre officially opened with a spectacular CBN Night of Stars Gala Concert.

The evening featured Jimmy Hannan, Lorrae Desmond, Isador Goodman, Bobby Clayton, Ricky and Tammy, Chris Kirby, Norman and Nancye Berg and the Rowland Gregory Singers.

After the performance, guests attended a Ch*****ne and Chicken Supper on the stage itself.

Were you in the audience?

Do you still have your ticket, programme or photographs?

Were you involved behind the scenes?

We'd love to hear your memories as part of the Orange Civic Theatre 50th Anniversary Oral History Project.

Please comment below or get in touch.

50 Years. Thousands of Stories

19/06/2026

Celebrating our gold history at Lucknow in July!!!

✨ 175 years of Lucknow gold! ✨

The Orange region will celebrate a glittering milestone next month - 175 years since gold was discovered at Lucknow.

The discovery changed the course of our local history, transforming our region almost overnight and drawing prospectors from across Australia and overseas.

Everyone is invited to step back in time on July 4–5 and explore Lucknow and the iconic Wentworth Mine, where it all began.

⛏️ Wentworth Mine open 10am–2.30pm both days
🧺 Picnic area, parking and amenities available
👟 Closed-in shoes recommended

Bring the family and discover the stories behind one of Australia’s earliest goldfields. 💛

Find out more ⤵️
https://www.orange.nsw.gov.au/news/lucknow-celebrates-175-years-since-gold-discovery-at-wentworth-mine/