Issued 1st March 2010
We have printed out 16 family trees each with an Index listing all people mentioned in the tree. These will be laid out on tables for you to stroll around and look for that missing ancestor.
We have a 27 foot long family tree scroll which will be displayed along a wall.
Plus another scroll dating from the early 1600's, the chart lays out the extended family of William John Wills.
There is a family tree of Thomas Wentworth Wills (Tom) the cricketer and AFL footballer.
We also have a contact phone number for you to obtain immediate help with your tree. Bring your mobile phone. They will receive calls re your family research. You can call them on the day or later. See notices on the tables.
We are hoping that descendants of other members of the Burke and Wills Expedition will attend and make themselves known.
There will be information on how to get your DNA tested. More and more people are using this testing to establish their ancestry. We have results from Mike Wills in England and Bill Wills in Canada, both relatives of William John, the explorer, and these can be used to try matching others. The test is very simple, but works best from the male line down.
The book "Willsway" by Russell Stephens which is about three generations of the family of Tom Wills the sportsman will be available.
David Dodd of the Royal Society of Victoria. Subject Burke & Wills.
Daniel Wilksch of the Public Record Office of Victoria. Subject Burke & Wills plus other Records available for Genealogists.
Frank Leahy of the Burke and Wills Historical Society
Australia All Over (Macca on ABC Sunday mornings). I spoke on this program a couple of weeks ago. Did you hear this segment?
Local Newspapers. A number of these were contacted.... did you see the event in your local paper?
Local Radio. We would appreciate your feedback if you heard any discussion on radio.
Family History Groups. Over 100 of these have been contacted twice. Did you see posters displayed in your family history rooms, or in their newsletters?
Posters have been displayed in places such as libraries, club rooms, schools. Perhaps you saw one of these?
Our Newsletters. We contacted everyone that we could find from our Visitors Book from the 2003 Get-together, asking them to contact family and friends as well. I do know that a number of you who were there in 2003 are coming back for the convention on Sunday.
An Index of Australian Wills Families Website. Tom has been very proactive in keeping this updated with developments in the planning of the event. Perhaps you found out about the convention whilst researching your family?
URGENT: This week we are having a working bee to prepare the Family Name tags so you can identify others who are researching your particular family. There will be a colour code tag for those who don't know who their first arrival was. Please send me your registration forms ( See the bottom of this email ) in advance....even if you are paying your $10 per head entry fee on the day, or if you have already paid.
Email if at all possible as time is fast running out, or post or phone to:
Pam Sullivan, 3 Strickland Court, Pakenham Vic 3810
Phone: 03 5941 5249 or mobile 0437 447 366
Email: jlpco5@bigpond.net.au
I am so looking forward to meeting you on Sunday.
Please come and make yourself known. You will find me easily..... I will be the one busyly trying to make sure things are running smoothly and to the plan!!! Please also let me know if anything can be done to make your day more enjoyable.
Pam