No doubt this question has been asked by many researchers when trying to trace an elusive ancestor.

Speaking for myself, I have been trying to find how and when my great grandfather, Thomas Joseph Parker, arrived in Australia. Records reveal that Thomas was born 28 May 1840 in Limerick, Ireland; he was appointed as a Constable in the Royal Irish Constabulary 15 June 1858; that he was married on 25 August, 1862 and six months later joined the NSW Police Force. There is no record in Ireland of his birth, nor is there a record in Australia of his entry.

Obviously, the problem is the lack of records. It is a problem that started when the world began, but as far as we are concerned, it began with our ancestors, which we in turn have carried on. My mother had a photograph which her mother had received from an English relative about eighty years ago. There is a notation on the back which says "Our Harry". The question is WHO IS "OUR HARRY"?

I said that we in turn carry on the problem. How many photographs of our parents, ourselves, our children and other close relatives or friends do we have which fail to show the subjects name, age or date of when the photograph was taken. Will anyone know who they are in fifty years time? Probably not: I certainly won't be around to tell anyone.

Now having said all of that, let's look at the good side of my research. Since becoming a member of The Holroyd Family History Group, I have had the opportunity to be part of some of the research groups led by our co-ordinator, Noela.

Although the results are variable, ie. sometimes good, sometimes not so good, the assistance received and also being shown the facilities available at libraries and archives was most beneficial.

One of the good results I had was to examine the Charge Book of Collector NSW Police Station. An entry in this book written by my great grandfather said "Constable Parker took charge of Collector Lockup on 2 July 1865" He then signed as Watch Keeper for each arrest, however, there are numerous occasions when he also signed as the Apprehending Constable and also as the Prosecutor.

I don't have to tell you what a great feeling it was to find those entries one hundred and thirty three years after they were written. When I think back on the hours spent with or without a result, I am reminded of one pertinent fact.:

"Research Was Not Meant to be Easy"