GSV@home

As a member of the Society, some aspects of your research can be done from home. Where possible, the GSV is making this easier by enabling resources and services to be accessed through the Internet or email.

GSV@Home – learn all about it – download the podcast

GSV Website

From our home page at www.gsv.org.au you can login as a member which takes you to the Members Area featuring:

GIN — GENEALOGICAL INDEX OF NAMES

This currently contains over 3.5 million entries with over 62,000 images or documents attached (mostly relating to Victoria). Records are added on a regular basis. It includes school registers, government gazettes, local histories, hospital records, cemetery records and much more. In some cases, links to sources and documents explaining the background of the source and abbreviations, etc are included.

LIBRARY CATALOGUE

The online Library catalogue describes over 120,000 books, CDs, DVDs, microfiche, microfilm, maps, articles and pamphlets held by the Society. Over two thousand major Internet resources are also catalogued with a link to the website.

The catalogue includes indexes to thousands of articles from local and overseas journals held by the Society. These articles range from personal family histories and local knowledge, updates on the availability of records to major articles by eminent genealogists and transcripts of records.

GUIDED RESEARCH

This currently covers the Australian states, British Isles and New Zealand. It is accessed though the Members Search Menu. Rather than using the catalogue — which often produces large quantities of results — we have selected the most useful records for beginning research in a new area, with emphasis on GSV and Internet resources. Further areas will be added over time.

VICFAMILIES

Members are encouraged to submit details of the Victorian families they are researching to the VicFamilies database. Currently there are over 43,000 entries. Data may be extracted from most modern genealogical programs, or by using Excel or Access software to create a *.csv file. Detailed instructions are available on the website.

SCOTTISH GAZETTEER

The gazetteer contains over 3,000 entries showing the parish and county with references for the 1841 and 1851 census microfilm reels held in our library. We also hold the 1861 census for Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

PODCASTS

For those unable to attend our varied Thursday talks, many talks are recorded and made available as podcasts for hearing/viewing on MP3 players or a computer. Some podcasts include handouts. They may be selected by choosing Podcasts on the Members Search Menu.

RSS FEEDS

RSS feeds alert you to new items of interest in the library. With RSS feeds you can ‘subscribe’ to areas of interest, then be notified when a new item for that place or topic arrives. We do offer a ‘New in the last week/month’ feature in the library catalogue, however, you have to remember to visit the site regularly and view all the new items. With RSS feeds you are automatically notified.

Research Services

eRESEARCH

Society members can submit a free eResearch query for a look-up and short answer on one topic or person. The query must be on an eResearch form available on the website. The reply and an attached scanned image, where practical, will be sent by email. Your next query may be submitted on receipt of an answer.

If a member does not use email, a postal request form, accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed DL envelope for return mail, may be submitted. When prints are required an estimate of costs will be given.

Members who reside more than 100km from Melbourne may also have up to two hours free extended research per year on a topic which includes a few copies. You will be invoiced for extra copying and postal charges if required.

EXTENDED RESEARCH

Extended Research is also available for members at $25.00 per hour and for non members at $40.00 per hour. This includes some copying and postal charges. An estimate of costs can be provided. An application for Extended Research may be made by post, email or personal appointment. Please provide membership number, telephone number, postal and email address.
Payment for Extended Research must be in advance by cash, cheque or credit card (Master Card, Visa). Credit cards, PayPal and bank deposit are available through the online shop on our website.

TRANSCRIPTION AND TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENTS

17th and 18th century documents (e.g. wills, deeds) can be transcribed. Latin translations are also available. The cost for members is $25.00 per hour and for non members $40.00 per hour.

VICTORIAN PROBATE PAPERS 1841–2002 AND VICTORIAN INQUEST PAPERS 1840–1985

We will obtain digital copies of these papers from Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) for members at $30.00 and for non members $43.00. Printing and postal charges are extra.

CONSULTATIONS

An appointment can be made for one hour with a research consultant. The cost for members is $25.00 per hour and for non members $40.00 per hour.

GSV Mailing List

This is for the discussion and sharing of information about the Society, such as new products available for sale, education programs, seminars; for the Society to communicate with members or other interested people; for you to communicate with the GSV about issues of interest and relevance and for members (and non members) to share information and research needs.

Publications

Ancestor, the quarterly journal of the GSV, can be browsed in the members area of our website. Editions from March 2008 are available.
This month at the GSV is a monthly calendar that is available from reception. Also available is a monthly eMag that is emailed. If you would like to receive this send a request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bookshop Bulletin is sent as a weekly email and is available on request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Online Shop

The online shop link takes you to our secure site where you can purchase books, CDs, computer programs. You can also pay for: membership, research, seminar fees and a full range of our services. Members receive a discount on books and CDs when signed in to their account.

A complete range of products and services are available.

Social Networking

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