GSV News

Guest speaker Dr Ian D Clark

Understanding the places and circumstances in which our ancestors lived is just as important as knowing their names. Join us for a presentation by Dr Ian D. Clark, whose research sheds light on the complex interactions between First Nations peoples and early European settlers in Melbourne and south-west Victoria.

Drawing on his decades of research, Dr Clark will explore the people, places and stories that shaped early Victoria, providing valuable historical context for anyone researching ancestors from the region. He will also introduce the fascinating field of toponymy—the study of place names—and explain how place names can reveal layers of history that are often overlooked in family history research.
There will be plenty of time for questions.

Whether you're researching Victorian ancestors, interested in local history, or simply curious to learn more about the history behind the landscapes your ancestors knew, this promises to be a thought-provoking session.

Friday 24 July at 10.30am on Zoom.

This session is for GSV members only and free. You don’t have to be a member of VicTas discussion circle to attend.

To book, please log run to the website and go to What’s On? > Events.

Last year, Valerie Britton Wilson captivated us with her remarkable family history story. Her father met her mother while on leave from the Chindits in Bombay during World War II, and her mother's own family history included the fascinating story of a British planter ancestor who married a local Indian orphan.

Her engaging storytelling made such an impression that we've invited her back for another evening of fascinating insights.

This time, Valerie will share her experiences of running a Melbourne business importing Indian fabrics and clothing for more than 20 years. Drawing on almost annual buying trips to India, she'll talk about what it was really like doing business there: the challenges, the unexpected moments and the highlights. Since selling the business, she has continued to visit India regularly, including a trip earlier this year, giving her a unique perspective on both modern India and its colonial past.

Valerie will also speak about the charitable organisations she has supported in India and her book, A Touch of India: Chutney Mary, Charming Irregularities and an Unlikely Romance, which is available to view in the GSV library.

There will also be plenty of opportunity for questions on topics ranging from travel and culture to religion, politics and everyday life in India.

Don't miss this lively and informative evening with Valerie Britton Wilson at the British in India Discussion Circle on Tuesday 21 July at 7.30 pm.

This is a free members-only event. Please log in to the GSV website before registering via the What's On? tab under Events.

Each in-person session begins with an introductory talk on researching the theme of the day including what is available in our collection. Participants will then have time to explore at their own pace, with our experienced research volunteers on hand to assist.

Tuesday 28 July: Vic / Tas (only a few spots left)
Are you tracing your family roots in Victoria or Tasmania? Come along to get a taste of the GSV's specialised resources.

Tuesday 25 August: SWERD (only a few spots left)
We will have experts from our South West England Research & Discussion Circle (SWERD) on hand to assist you get the most out of the GSV’s resources.

Tuesday 29 September: Commercial Databases (opening soon)
An introduction to the commercial databases available to you at GSV: including Ancestry, British Newspaper Archive, TheGenealogist, FindMyPast, MyHeritage, and the Biographical Database of Australia. We will cover how to construct effective searches and get the most out of each platform.

Tuesday 20 October: CONE (opening soon)
Afternoon session only for those interested in learning more about the resources at the GSV for researching your ancestors from the Counties of Northern England.

Wednesday 28 October: Irish Research (opening soon)
Are you just beginning to search for your Irish immigrant ancestor's county or parish, or are you trying to break through a long-standing "brick wall" caused by Ireland's notoriously fragmented historical records? Come along to get a taste of the GSV's specialised resources.

Have a Specific Question?
Please consider submitting it in advance: simply email a brief outline to gsv@gsv.org.au
To help our volunteer library assistants get the most out of your visit, please bring any relevant documentation with you. We also recommend filling out our Fillable PDF – Blank Ancestry Chart and/or the Family Group Sheet to the best of your knowledge. Having these charts ready will allow us to jump right in and help you with your family history research.
https://www.gsv.org.au/sites/default/files/fillable_ancestry_chart_-_ma…
https://www.gsv.org.au/sites/default/files/fillable_family_group_sheet_…

These sessions are free for GSV members (login to book). For most, you have a choice of a morning or afternoon session. Numbers are limited to six participants per session to ensure everyone receives dedicated support.

Small groups, friendly support, real research breakthroughs - what have you got to lose?

Every family historian has a story that deserves to be told.

Did an ancestor overcome extraordinary hardship?

Have you solved a long-standing family mystery?

Is there a family tradition or heirloom with an intriguing story behind it?

Have you uncovered something that made you laugh, cry or sit in stunned silence?

The GSV Writing Prize is your opportunity to turn your discovery into a story and share it.

Thanks to the generous support of Ancestry™, the first prize is a 12-month Ancestry™ Worldwide Membership and an Ancestry™ DNA kit. A runner-up prize of a six-month Ancestry™ Worldwide Membership may be awarded at the discretion of the judges.

The winning entry will be published in Ancestor and become part of the GSV collection and be preserved for future researchers to discover.

Entries must:

• Be between 1,200 and 2,400 words
• Have a family history or genealogy theme
• Be original and unpublished
• Include appropriate source citations
• Contain up to four images

The competition is open to members of the GSV and GSV Member Societies. Entries close at 4.00 pm on Friday 28 August.

You've done the research, now is the time to tell the story. 
There's nothing like a deadline—so get writing!

Get your tartan out and celebrate all things Scottish with the GSV in July.

• GSV Scottish Library Discovery Day: Tuesday 30 June: your choice of two sessions: 10.30am and 1.30pm. (in-person event)
• Introduction to the GSV and its Resources: Thursday 16 July at 10.30am on Zoom
• Researching from Australia back to Scotland: Friday 24 July at 1.30pm on Zoom
• Learn how to access ScotlandsPeople: Wednesday 29 July at 1pm on Zoom

Bookings are essential for these events. Book on our website under the What’s On > Events tab. Zoom links are sent on registration. They are free for GSV members and $10 for non-members - visit https://www.gsv.org.au/current-and-upcoming-events

Other Melbourne Tartan Festival events you might be interested in are:

• Wear your tartan with pride and join the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan Service on Sunday 28 June at 11am.
• Two online talks presented by Kenneth Park, both $15: 
  • Celebrating Heritage with the National Trust of Scotland on Wednesday 1 July at 5.30pm; and 
  • Celebrating Scotland’s Literary Heritage on Wednesday 15 July at 5.30pm.
• Tartan Day Parade: Celebrating the Centenary of the world’s first women’s pipe band which began in Melbourne. Over 200 pipers drummers and Highland dancers will parade down Collins Street from 2pm on Sunday 5 July. Piping and Highland dancing displays at 11.30am and 1.30pm.
• Join the World Record Attempt for the largest ladies pipe band ever assembled, at 2.30pm in Melbourne City Square

For more information go to https://www.melbournetartanfestival.com.au/

Don’t know what your tartan is?
The GSV have a couple of books and journal articles that can help. Search our catalogue with the word tartan. If you can’t get into the library you might be able to send in a Quick Look up request via our research services page, or you could try a Google search.

The Genealogical Society of Victoria is much more than a library or a website. It is a community built by people who share a passion for family history and the joy of helping others discover their stories.

I’m sure you know that much of what the GSV offers is made possible by volunteers? From assisting researchers and presenting educational programs, to maintaining resources and supporting our activities, countless hours are freely given by members and staff alike. This generosity of time and expertise is at the heart of who we are.

The generous support we have received from donors over the years has allowed us to broaden and deepen our services, creating more resources, programs and opportunities for members to learn, connect and research. We are deeply grateful for that support.

As we look ahead, we have a number of important projects underway and others ready to begin. To make them possible, we need funding beyond membership subscriptions and education income.

As the end of the financial year approaches, we invite you to consider making a donation to the GSV. Whether your gift is $20, $50, $100 or $500, every contribution helps secure a strong and vibrant future for our Society.

Donations of $2 or more are fully tax-deductible. You can donate online via the Donate Now link on the GSV website homepage, by calling the GSV on (03) 9662 4455, where Linda will be pleased to assist you, or by posting a cheque to:
Genealogical Society of Victoria
Level 1, 10 Queen Street
Melbourne, Vic 3000

Thank you for being part of our community and for helping ensure that the stories of the past continue to be discovered, preserved and shared for generations to come. We hope to be thanking you personally very soon.

Brian Reid
President

Join us for an essential session on navigating and interpreting the records that form the backbone of family history. Presenters Dr. Elizabeth Hartnell-Young (Honorary Fellow, University of Melbourne) and Meg Bate (GSV Library & Digital Resources Manager) will guide you through the vast landscape of Australian vital records:

• Official Milestones: expert guidance on BDMs, adoptions, divorces, and naturalisation.
• Legal & Final Records: navigating inquests, wills, probate, and cemetery data.
• The Personal Touch: incorporating letters, diaries, and oral histories to add depth to the data.

This is not your average BDM talk!

Finding the document is just the start. We will examine what to expect from these records and, more importantly, how to get the most out of them to ensure your research is accurate and comprehensive.

Thursday 25 June at 1:30pm-5pm, online via Zoom
GSV members: log in to access your discounted rate.
NB: This course is Session 5 of our 9 session Australian Family History Course: Research Strategies and Resources but can be joined as a stand alone session. You do not need to register if you have booked the entire course.

The Genealogical Society of Victoria thrives on curiosity, generosity and shared discoveries. Every new member adds another story, another discovery, another connection.

We would love to welcome a new wave of family history enthusiasts to join us. If you can help us spread the word, we’d love your support. Please invite your friends, cousins, neighbours and fellow family history lovers to join. 

As a thank you: 

• we will extend your membership by two months
• we will waive the joining fee of the new member

To take advantage of this generous offer, please phone our office on 03 9662 4455 between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. Or you could email and we can get back to you gsv@gsv.org.au

Please note, this offer is available for a limited time. Members can introduce more than one member and receive further extensions. New memberships must be for annual membership category only, see our website for details of membership categories - https://www.gsv.org.au/membership-types-and-fees.

Do you know how your ancestors lived? What affected their lifestyle, the decisions they made, where they lived, how they were able to feed and clothe themselves and their families?

Guest speaker, author Jeff Alexander will join us from the UK to talk about how becoming guardian of an album of family photographs spurred him to discover more about the lives of his Welsh ancestors. It led him to explore the story of how they lived, worked, worshipped, sang and played. 

Jeff is the author of two local history books: Cribarth - the Giant Awakes; and Y Tymbl - The Tumble – the Growth of a Gwendraeth Valley Mining Village.

Jeff’s paternal ancestors, originally from Carmarthenshire, were attracted by opportunities in the rapidly industrialising lower Swansea Valley. His mother’s family, like many others from England’s West Country, moved to work in the South Wales coalfield in the late 19th century, escaping the rural poverty of the time. 

Jeff describes how the coming together of people from either side of the Bristol Channel, some of them established Welsh-speaking, chapel-going natives and others who were English-speaking, church-going new arrivals helped shape the present-day culture.

We all want to place our ancestors in context of time and place as Jeff has done through his extensive research.

All GSV members are welcome to join this free session of the Welsh Research Discussion Circle on Thursday 4 June at 7.30pm on Zoom. Please note the evening time slot. To book, log in to the GSV website and go to What’s On > Events tab.

 People don't just appear in the historical record - they arrived somewhere. They may have travelled onwards in search of work, family or opportunity. Understanding how and why your ancestors came to Australia, and where they moved once they were here, is fundamental to unlocking their story. 

Our next Australian Family History Course session: Exploring Immigration and Shipping Records looks at the ways people came to Australia and moved around the country from 1788 to the 1960s: 

• the government and private immigration schemes that shaped who came 
• the shipping records that document their arrival and dispersal 
• the coastal and river shipping networks that drove internal migration across all states.

This session will be presented by Fiona Tellesson, GSV member and founder of Experts in Genealogy. Fiona has a Dip Fam History (UTAS) and is a certified trainer Cert IV T&A. She has been involved with and researching family history for over 50 years.

When: Thursday 28 May at 1.30pm on Zoom. 
Please register on the GSV website under the What’s On > Events tab. Don’t forget to log in as a member to get the special price.

Whether your ancestors arrived as assisted migrants, paid their own passage, or travelled between colonies once they were here, these records can provide fascinating clues about their lives and movements.