Reference genealogy is a collection of reference works that cover local, national and international records. While both local studies and reference genealogy are "not for loan" collections, to be read within the library only, reference genealogy is is an open collection you can browse within the library.
One of the most popular (if not THE most popular) sections of reference genealogy is the local area burial records.
Here is a selection of books from Reference Genealogy to get you started:
The Wagga Wagga City Library has 3 volumes of Dr Kok Hu Jin's works about Chinese Cemeteries in Australia. Volume 4 covers local area cemeteries including the Wagga Wagga Monumental Cemetery. There is an extensive glossary of names, a bibliography and a list of publications you might want to use in your research.
Detail : The grave of the Late Honourable Ling Mu Xian of Shen Keng. From Volume 4, Chinese Cemeteries in Australia p. 38
The Old Melbourne Cemetery 1837 - 1922 by Marjorie Morgan was printed in 1982 and the presentation quality may not be as polished as some would prefer but this volume contains valuable information. It includes a short history of the cemetery, maps, black and white photographs, and a collection of inscriptions from the tombstones in the different denominational sections.
Above : detail, tombstone transcription from the Wesleyan section of the Old Melbourne Cemetery
The last word: two centuries of Australian epitaphs by Lionel Gilbert has saved for posterity these epitaphs on Australian gravestones. It's a massive work full of humorous, poignant, sparse writings - from the famous to the not so famous, family written epitaphs alongside quotes from Shakespeare.
Chapter nine, Poets to the rescue, is entirely devoted to the literary resources used in composing epitaphs, and other poetic sources such as hymn books, biblical verses, or even a poet's own writings. Politicians also liked using lines from their speeches.
Detail : epitaph from Bee Miles headstone, in Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney NSW
The Wagga Wagga City Council also has an online searchable map of the Wagga Wagga Cemetery. If you are unsure of how to use this great resource, come into the library and we can show you how it works. While you're here you can check the cemetery records or maybe use the microfilm reader to check death notices you can't find online.
