Databases and Indexes

Further details of many of these database indexes may be available through the Geelong Family History Group.

Make sure you look at the two Research Options on their website and most importantly follow the link to the GFHG Research Files Catalogue List to check for these or many more indexes and documents.

• Geelong Advertiser 21 July 1928 - 24 October 1931
• Geelong Family History Group document [B/NEW/67] - full transcript of the series of articles.  The details are available from the Geelong Family History Group or can be viewed in person in the GFHG library at the Bellarine Historical Society.

OR

• Geelong Advertiser available at Geelong Heritage Centre, Geelong
  Deakin University, Alfred Deakin Prime Ministerial Library, Waterfront Campus, Geelong
  State Library of Victoria, Melbourne
  and various other locations on microfilm

NOTE: The entries reference a page number in the GFHG document, and NOT the date or page in the Geelong Advertiser.  If you use the microfilms of the Geelong Advertiser, you will need to search three years of issues for the articles in this series, and then the individual entry in the article(s).

• NAME: Name of person, place or subject
• DATE: Date range of publication
• OTHER NAMES: Alternative names
• PLACE: Location / address
• COMMENT: Occupation or comment
• REFERENCE: Page number in the Geelong Family History Group transcription document [46 pages]

• 1,052 entries

• Geelong Advertiser commenced 21 November 1840
• The series "Geelong Reminiscences - Newtown" was a regular feature from July 1928 to October 1931
• This series focussed on the early homes of Newtown, their occupants and all things relating to the early history of Newtown & Chilwell.

John Henry BOTTRELL wrote many articles which were published in the Geelong Advertiser - his reminiscences together with information from residents at the time - covering different locations and aspects of history in Geelong.

John Henry was born in Irish Town, Chilwell in 1855, the son of Welsh parents William BOTTRELL and Nancy CHAPPELL.  William BOTTRELL was a quarryman.  In 1878 John Henry BOTTRELL married Isabel WALLACE (born Fifeshire).  Their first child was born in Geelong in 1879 however by 1881 the couple had moved to Daylesford where their next two children were born.

In 1921 BOTTRELL was referred to as a retired Headmaster when he held Study Circle Meetings for the Geelong Women's Christian Temperance Union.  John Henry and his spinster sister, Elizabeth Ann, were both active in the Geelong branch of the WCTU.  Elizabeth Ann was Press Correspondent from 1923 until her death in 1933 and John Henry was Auditor.  He took over as Press Correspondent until his death in 1935.  It was during the 1920s and 30s that many of his history articles appeared in the Geelong Advertiser.