This display by Ballarat & District Genealogy in the Ballarat Library ran from November 2015 to February 2016. Start in the main foyer where there is a mobile cabinet with examples from the ALLAN-BINNS photographic collection. This was recently donated to the Society by Leanne Bailey. Does anyone remember these sisters? Miss Alison ALLAN (1906-1986) who taught at Ballarat High School and fellow teacher, Isa ALLAN (1904-1986), daughters of David ALLAN and Isabella (ROBERTSON) of Newlyn. Their son Alexander ALLAN (1910-1992) carried on the family farm. Please tell us about this family and their cousins the BINNS family. We would like to know more about them.
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In the Australiana Research Reference Room a variety of old world treasures are exhibited in the 5.5m long glass cabinet. See the glass slide projector converted from gas to electricity in early 1900s and an early wooden camera dated 1894 on loan from Max Harris.
Patricia Bachelor of Gatt Photography has contributed an 1867 family portrait of John ROBERTS, Elizabeth Jane (MOYLE) and their baby Francis Samuel ROBERTS (with his birth certificate) taken by Henry GLENNY, "Artiste, Dublin and Melbourne Portrait Rooms, 114 Main Road, Ballarat East". This item was rescued from under a house and later an A4 glass plate was found. GLENNY is not listed in the usual directories of photographers but we have found he was a Renaissance man with a most interesting life story.
Other Ballarat professional photographers include Cora Beatrice (WILLETTS) FRASER who continued taking photos after her husband Leonard died in 1914. We show carte de vistes by RICHARDS & Co. who produced many thousands of family photos over several decades. Read his story and see a present day image of his premises at the bottom of Sturt Street. Also note a SOLOMON & BARDWELL advertisement beautifully engraved by F W NIVEN and a superb example by CHUCK Photography of 230 portraits of Ballarat Pioneers. Are your ancestors among them? We have the names.
Can you tell us anything about the large gathering of people for a bicycle race from the Golf House Hotel to the Windermere Hotel in 1899-1900? This photo was donated by Michael Chambers who would like to know the history of the Windermere area for a future refurbishment of this pub.
Finally we suggest where to find help in dating old family photographs.
See also UNIDENTIFIED PHOTOS on the BDGS website at www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/ballarat-history/unidentified
For further information please contact Jennifer Burrell at