ALTHOUGH membership of the Swan Hill Genealogical and Historical Society has declined in recent years, the current members are just as passionate as ever about ensuring the region’s history and records are preserved for future generations.
The group works out of the Swan Hill Library each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, diligently preserving today’s news for future generations while safekeeping the existing archives.
The group started 40 years ago and some of those members remain as current members today, with several into their 90s.
Margaret Scala has been with the group for 40 years and was instrumental in ensuring the cemetery’s records were collated and kept up to date.
Mrs Scala joined the group to pursue an interest in tracing and recording her family tree.
Through her journey she wrote a book, The Trewhella Brothers from Cornall to Victoria.
It is the story of her own family’s journey to the area and the pioneering path they took in settling here.
She continues to keep the cemetery’s records to this day and volunteers for the group regularly.
Barbara Patterson has been with the group for 20 years and said she joined the group after discovering her own interest in ancestry and helping others to trace their family tree.
Dot Harvey is another 40-year club member who first joined in 1984.
“I love being part of the group,” Ms Harvey said.
“I enjoy helping people link back to their original families.
“My dad was born here in 1902 and our family settled around the Swan Hill and Nyah areas.”
Norma Rutherford said she enjoyed the friendships she had made over her 40 years with the group.
The Swan Hill Genealogical and Historical Society welcomes guests along to trace their own family history and is happy to help people get started.
“No booking is required – just pop in,” Mrs Patterson said.
