Interest Groups

Interest groups can be formed around any subject that members are interested in. At present there are three interest groups - The Digital Photography Interest Group (DIG), The Genealogy Interest Group (GIG) and the newly established Mac Owners Interest Group (MIG). Meetings are held once a month on Friday afternoons on topics decided by the members.

Mac Owners Interest Group

This group is for members who use an Apple Mac computer. 

We meet on the last Friday of each month at 2.30pm in the clubrooms. 

Each month a different topic is explored with demonstrations and questions. All Mac owners and those interested in Apple Macs welcome. $1 accepted for cup of tea.

The Digital Camera Interest Group 

We meet on the 1^st Friday of each month at the SeniorNet rooms from 2.30-4.30pm. The club accepts $1 from each member to cover a welcome cup of tea/coffee and biscuits.

Activities enjoyed are photographic safaris, where members are taught the different aspects of their camera, whilst being out and about the town.

You will also be shown how to create a Photo Story, using the computer’s photographic programme, together with demonstrations and “hands on” experience in naming and sorting photographs, setting up the printer and the benefits of using different quality photo paper. 
It is useful for members to have Word skills but it is not a necessary requirement. 

A programme of topics is prepared at the beginning of the year from suggestions by members. Click here to see current programme.

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The Genealogy Interest Group 

We meet on the 2^nd Friday of each month at the SeniorNet rooms from 2.30 - 4.30pm. The club accepts $1 from each member to cover a cup of tea/coffee and biscuits. 

GIG member names go on a mailing list so that you can be kept in touch with the activities such as researching your ancestry using the Internet and genealogy software.  SeniorNet provides CD’s and books to help you.

The computers, at the clubrooms, have a Genealogy programme entitled “Brother’s Keeper” installed. We spend time learning how to use this, and a Genealogy Course is offered for those interested to take their research further.

Other activities are creating “Time Lines”, “Photo Story”, demonstrations on different websites, with a chance for a “hands on” experience.

Writing a chapter or two about one’s life or memories and sharing it with the group is always entertaining and enjoyable.

It is useful for members to have Word skills but it is not a necessary requirement.

• Introduction to basic and free Internet search sites – Familysearch, FreeBMD, GENUKI, OPC sites etc – done 

• Search techniques, cross matching references to build the picture and confirm data. Done 

• Using pay and subscription sites – Ancestry.com, Origins, Findmypast, Scotland’s People etc. Done 

• More on pay sites and using Mailing Lists - Done 

• Hands on session using pay and free sites – June and July 

• Exploring online sources for New Zealand, Australia, Ireland. South Africa etc - August 

• Looking at and comparing several Family Tree database programs – September and possibly October 

• Writing family history/stories – options and examples - November 

Some of these areas/topics will take more than one session and members may have ideas for other types of research.

 Email Patsy O'Shea for more information