I’m from a long line of John Chanters, possibly as many as 10.

Some were publicans, others farmers, jacks of all trades and a couple of, ahem … politicians.

When Wodonga Family History Society offered to trace my family tree to show what research tools exist on the Border, I was cautiously curious.

Everything I now know comes from family word-of-mouth and some superficial Google searches.

My great grandfather was in the Australian Light Horse and rode in the Charge on Beersheba. He got a Distinguished Service Order for gallantry in World War I.

My great great grandfather was a politician and the first member for Riverina in Australia’s new Federal Parliament in 1901.

Beyond that I have plenty of questions; that’s where Wodonga Family History Society comes in.

It has hundreds of books and documents on offer to members in its dedicated section of the Wodonga Library with a focus on Victoria.

If your family has a story on the Border, chances are you’ll find it there. With just a name and a town or district, the society can steer you in the right direction.

So, with the society’s help over the next few months, I’m about to find out what skeletons are hiding in any of the John Chanter cupboards.