In January 2025, Chermside Library will host the first of a series of free Ancestry Group Discussions hosted by Donna Arnold, a local who wants to bring people together to discover and share their family history and reconnect with their heritage.
A Passion Born from Family Connections
Donna Arnold’s interest in ancestry was sparked during a family reunion, where the fragments of her family’s history began to take shape. As relatives swapped stories, she discovered that her grandfather, born in 1888 at Zillman Waterholes in Kedron, was a first-generation Australian of Prussian descent.
He was the 15th child in a family that overcame significant challenges to establish themselves in Southeast Queensland. Arnold marvelled at his journey, which included farming in the Lockyer Valley and Murgon, serving as a postman during hard times, and raising a family with his wife Elsie before settling into dairy and citrus farming in the Noosa Hinterland.
Her grandfather’s life was deeply intertwined with the land. He was part of a pioneering spirit that defined the region, living through two World Wars and economic hardships while remaining connected to his home state. Arnold finds it remarkable that, by the end of his life, he had made a “circuit of SE Queensland,” starting at Zillman Waterholes and finally resting at Lutwyche Cemetery in Kedron.
This sense of connection deepened for Arnold when she realised that the Taigum property she once owned could overlap with the land her ancestors cultivated over a century ago. The idea of physically standing where her great-grandparents might have worked inspired her to explore further. Over the last nine years, she has meticulously pieced together her family’s history, combining online research with “on-location” investigations across Australia and even overseas. These efforts have revealed details that cannot be found through digital archives alone.
Arnold also reflects on the personal losses her family endured, such as the deaths of several newborns in the 19th century. She recalls visiting the Nundah Historic Cemetery, where a memorial plaque now commemorates those who were not given a grave site. These discoveries bring an emotional weight to her research and reinforce her commitment to preserving her family’s legacy for future generations.
Her personal connection to her ancestors, combined with her growing expertise in genealogy, fuels her desire to bring others on the same journey.
“It’s not just about the names and dates,” Arnold explains in her writings. For her, it’s about understanding the lives behind those details and sharing stories that might otherwise be lost. This passion is the foundation for the Ancestor Group Discussions she is launching, which aim to connect like-minded individuals in the community to celebrate and uncover their heritage.
A Local Initiative with Broader Appeal
Ms Arnold emphasises that her efforts are not limited to expert genealogists. She hopes the discussions will attract a diverse group, including beginners who are curious about their ancestry. Through this initiative, she hopes to create a space where people can gather to explore and share their family stories.
The group discussions, to be held twice monthly, will encourage participants to delve into their roots, exchange insights, and uncover hidden aspects of their personal histories.
The first session of the ancestry group will take place on 9 January 2025 at 6:00 p.m., with plans for future meetings to foster ongoing collaboration and learning among participants.
Chermside Library’s central location makes it an accessible venue for the initiative, which Arnold views as an opportunity to strengthen community ties while preserving history. She stresses the value of in-person discussions for uncovering details that cannot always be found online.
Encouraging Participation and Preserving History
The initiative comes at a time when interest in genealogy is growing, bolstered by accessible DNA testing and historical archives.
Ms Arnold sees this as a chance to enrich people’s understanding of their heritage while creating a supportive community where stories can be preserved for future generations. She encourages anyone with an interest in family history to attend, regardless of how much they know about their own ancestry.
The Ancestor Group Discussions offer a free and welcoming environment for sharing personal histories, asking questions, and discovering the importance of the past. Ms Arnold hopes to see many faces at Chermside Library in January, eager to uncover and celebrate the stories that make up their family histories.
Published 20-Nov-2024
