History accounted for

HELPING OUT: Dawn and Brian Atkinson and Kelvin Edlington were among the 15 members of the Millicent-based South East Family History Group who completed the annual stocktake of the research centre on Saturday.
HELPING OUT: Dawn and Brian Atkinson and Kelvin Edlington were among the 15 members of the Millicent-based South East Family History Group who completed the annual stocktake of the research centre on Saturday.

JUST like shopkeepers, members of the Millicent-based South East Family History Group (SEFHG) take stock of their holdings on an annual basis.

With SEFHG president Noel Boyle the stocktake took place over a four hour period on Saturday.

Dozens of hours were devoted to checking the group’s large collection of books, CDs, microfiche, microfilm, newspapers, maps, photographs and indexes.

Mr Boyle is grateful to his 15 members who devoted themselves to dusting the shelves and checking the contents of the collection.

According to Mr Boyle, all collection items could be accounted for.

He said one SEFHG member could not be present at the stocktake, but came into the research centre earlier in the week to mop floors and undertake other cleaning tasks.

“The computers have been upgraded, we are now connected to high-speed internet via the NBN and it is functioning as it should,” Mr Boyle said.

“There are so many books in our collection and our members really like going through them.

“Another interest for the SEFHG since 2016 has been working bees at 9am on the first Sunday of each month in the old section of the Millicent Cemetery.

“The SEFHG will be meeting soon to discuss our program of speakers for the coming year.”

The research centre collection has been steadily building since the SEFHG was founded in 1980.

The SEFHG goes into recess for much of the summer holidays season but some informal research sessions have been held.