Some here maybe following my blogs and noticed there is
always slow times when nothing is posted and then randomly something gets
posted and I will explain why in a sec. Since around 2012, I have been studying
for my bachelor’s degree part time while working part time as well in the
Northern Rivers of NSW. In the last few weeks I have finished by bachelor’s
degree and hope that I will graduate in mid December in Armidale. I was
studying Bachelor of Historical Inquiry and Practice, which has taken up most
of my time and included a research project of my choosing at the beginning of
the year. I did the whole course online with a few visits to the university
that were not compulsory. The main aim behind my degree wasn’t about finding
employment in the history area as I wanted to learn more about family history.
The degree has opened up a whole world that puts meat on the bones to family
history research. My interest is more modern history from around the early 19th
century onwards mainly as its my family tree research. I know there are gaps in
my knowledge. I haven’t done the degree for employment opportunities even
though I have worked in retail for over 12 years. At least I can look upon the
degree and challenged myself to see if I could complete it.
Throughout the degree I had wanted to do subjects on New
Zealand even though I was studying in an Australian university. I did get my
wish several times over as I chose some topics like cemeteries and even tracing
probate records, but I had a research project I completed earlier this year
that meant I had to visit New Zealand Archives and I chose the subject of
Militia and Volunteers during the New Zealand Wars mainly. I was going to write
a 5,000 word essay, but that turned into a literature review and that was just
as interesting. I had originally wanted to write something on Kauri Gum Digging
as I was from the Whangarei region originally, but the NZ Wars was of more
interest to lecturers and that was where I was steered to. Another topic I
thought I could have written about were the Objectors in New Zealand once
conscription became part of the war. I had found several family members that
were Objectors, Service people and even a German Alien interned in Wellington.
The research assignment took a while as I had primary sources that I had
collected from the National Archives that I needed to read through. That took a
while as I made copies when I was in New Zealand and read them once I came
home.
Since I have hopefully fully finished my degree, I have been
able to research some family members, which is why there are some service
records I have trolled through and posted mainly for my grandfather who is
interested. People have asked what is next since I have finished. Next year I
have planned a trip through Europe and England, which includes parts of the
Western Front like Amiens and Ypres. I do plan on some family tree research. Now
I can relax a but even though I will continue with personal research. I now don’t
need to take breaks between trimesters if I want to go somewhere on holiday. I
do have my own Youtube page that I have used for historical wanderings through
cemeteries and other locations. The next year should be an interesting time
especially when I do have plenty to see on my time away.
