08 November 2018

Researching, one Bachelor degree and the future




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.

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