Trove is an online Australian database that enables you to access material from libraries, museums, archives and other research organisations, all from home! It provides a wealth of opportunities, and there are many skills you can develop to help make the most of Trove and find material relevant to your own interests. This workshop will help you to develop those skills and discover resources you didn’t know existed!

Are you interested in researching Australian or local history, the history of a business or of a particular person?

Have you ever used Trove to read old newspaper articles, and wondered what other records are available?

Would you like to improve and refine your searching capabilities?

Are you about to embark on an oral history project and want to do some background research?

If you answered yes to any of these, this workshop is for you.

This hands-on workshop will:

• introduce you to the diverse range of materials that you can search and access online through Trove, from old photographs and art works through to music, objects and archives

• teach you how to refine your searches

• recommend approaches to enliven your research

• provide an opportunity to do some detective work during the workshop with some interesting challenges!

• show you how to cite the materials found, and to check their copyright status

What you need to participate in the workshop:

You will need a computer/tablet with internet connection. It is preferable to have a headset (headphones with microphone), but the speakers and microphone on your device are also sufficient. Instructions for installing and using the meeting software will be provided upon registration.

Workshop notes will be provided.

Workshop presenter:

Your presenter is Dr Sally Stephenson (listeningtothepast.com.au). Sally has worked professionally as an oral historian, researcher and writer for more than fifteen years. She has used Trove to undertake background research for numerous oral history and heritage interpretation projects, resulting in documentaries, interpretive panels in museums and national parks, heritage walks, and sound installations in museums. Her projects have also included documenting the history of places for urban renewal and landscape design projects (for example at Tonsley and Bowden in South Australia). She has undertaken projects for Australian Federal and State Government departments, local councils, the State Library of South Australia, the South Australian Maritime Museum, local museums and community groups.

Sally has presented introductory and advanced workshops (in person and online) on a range of topics for Oral History Australia SA/NT, and regularly receives excellent reviews.