Goolwa library’s Local and Family History Room will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Sunday 26 May.

The south coast community’s comprehensive local history collection can trace its origins to Mr Walter Pretty, who donated a significant number of research papers to the Goolwa library.

The Walter Pretty collection is now held in the Local and Family History compactus, which houses thousands of files on well-known people, places and paddle steamers in the Goolwa and surrounding regions.

Other research material has been developed by the room’s volunteers or acquired to make the room a highly valued asset.

“Alexandrina Libraries would like to acknowledge all the volunteers who have contributed, including Peter Barclay, Dawn Juers, Helen Halm, Margie Anderson and Bill Cox,” says Nigel Morris, Alexandrina Council’s Chief Executive Officer.

“Many volunteers, through the years, have contributed their valuable time and research skills to add local and family history resources to the room’s collection as well as help countless members of the public with their local and family history research enquiries.

“Our current volunteer team provide a fantastic service to the community, helping locals as well as those interstate or overseas with their local or family history research.

“Family history assistance sessions have proved very successful, with Jennifer and Anne providing one-on-one help to community members to navigate the numerous genealogy research tools on offer; while the local knowledge of Anthony, Luke and Frodo is invaluable to those seeking the history of local buildings and places.”

Anyone who would like to volunteer in the Local and Family History Rooms at either Goolwa Library or Strathalbyn Library, or who has a local or family history enquiry, should contact Alexandrina Libraries by calling 8555 7000 or by email.