Local History

One of the main objectives of the Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. is to preserve records and our Branch is collecting local history material.
Mersey Branch member Rosie Marshall is co-ordinating an ongoing project collecting information about Latrobe and districts. This information is  then indexed and placed in the library collection for use.
These pages are dedicated to providing information about our local area. This has included articles written by some of our members such as those listed below.

Latrobe Photographic Collection

The Latrobe Branch of the National Trust holds a collection of over 1000 photographs relating to the history of the Latrobe area and covering the period from the first half of the 19th century to the present. Subject matter is immensely varied including street scenes, events and images of notable and ordinary persons and TFHS Inc Mersey Branch have the photographic collection available to search.

Education in the Latrobe District

This section aims to provide historical information about the various schools in the Latrobe district.

Wesley Vale Primary School celebrated its 100th birthday in 1999. A book was produced for the occasion by Portia Andrew, a descendant of one of Wesley Vale's early settlers. "Ponytails & Piglets: A hundred years of life at a Country School" The school at Wesley Vale serves the needs of primary school children of the district. At one time it was an Area and Farm School prior to the opening of Latrobe High School. The school's first Headmaster was Mr W.H. Wheeler who acted under the supervision of the Mersey Board. It opened on 26th June 1899 whilst the school at nearby Northdown was closed on 21st June 1899.

Glimpses into the Past

By H.A. Nichols This article appeared in the Advocate Newspaper, 17th October 1923 and tells about the Victorian fires remembered as "Black Thursday" February 1851.

Researching in the Port Sorell District

By Helen Anderson "Are you mystified by such names as Burgess, Torquay and Formby? Unable to find them on the map? Then you are most probably researching your ancestors in the District of Port Sorell. The records for this Registration District commence in the year 1845"