We started 2020 with no idea that COVID-19 was going to change the way we did family history.
The General Meeting in March 2020 was cancelled. Incidentally, this talk was to be on the Spanish Fly. The committee recommended that, as the Speaker had an elderly parent, an in-person meeting was not recommended. It was not until 9 April that the Queensland government designated that “Non-essential” business, activity or undertaking must not be operated
On 21 March 2020, we officially closed our doors for research. The committee knew that this would be a source of great disappointment for many; however, staying healthy and safe is far more important. Our activities were non-essential while our members’ health was a priority. We committed to reviewing this in mid-June 2020.
In late June, we reintroduced research in the rooms. This was under strict COVID-19 protocols.
In March, to ensure we could continue the Monthly General Meetings and Interest Group Meetings were introduced on Zoom. Personal Zoom lessons were offered over the phone.
To keep in contact with members, Valerie Thornton issued a weekly newsletter so that they would not feel alone while being isolated from their usual social contacts.
Soon, the two weekly Share, Show, Tell, and Chat sessions were introduced to keep members in contact. This was hosted on Zoom by Ralph Gray. All members were welcome to join in and share stories about their ancestors, interesting finds, brick walls, great websites they had discovered, or to listen to what other people have been doing.
2020 Key Events
2020 Interest Groups
Germany, Scotland, Ireland, DNA, Tech Help, Family Tree Maker, and England & Wales.
