Halfway House history explored

By Frank Neill

The fascinating history of Glenside’s Halfway House will be presented at the next meeting of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists Wellington branch at the Johnsonville Community Hub at 7pm on 17 May.

Well known Glenside resident Claire Bibby, who is President of the Glenside Progressive Association, will present the story of Halfway House.

One of the stories she will tell is how nine-year-old Thomas Bevan walked from Wellington to Waikawa in 1845.

The genealogists society’s Wellington branch recently moved its monthly speakers’ meetings to Johnsonville from the city.

The branch organises a wide variety of speakers to share their family or community stories or learn about the many resources available.

Visitors and new members are welcome at 7 for 7:30 pm on the third Wednesday of every month at the Johnsonville Collective Community Hub.

The visitors’ fee of $3 includes tea and biscuits. For more information contact wgtnbranch@gmail.com.

Many people enjoy finding out about their family history and the club provides a chance to meet others with the same interest.

The wide variety of speakers have covered stories about family histories, and related topics such as adoption, DNA, dating old photos and resources available to people who are researching their family history.