GSV News

I was lucky enough to meet and volunteer with Joyce Ryerson when living in the northern suburbs of Sydney. Living until the age of 95 years young, Joyce was sharp as a tack, and had a dry sense of humour. Joyce was a bit of a hoarder something her daughter Sue was frustrated about.

When Joyce started her ‘collection’ of death notices, she was not a genealogist, just an ‘old girl’ looking to help her old school update a register of former pupils. Her collection would accumulate over 14 years and was stored in her laundry.

She was a member of The Dead Persons Society. When they discovered what she had, they immediately recognised its extraordinary value. John Graham went around and found an almost complete collection of death notices from the Sydney Morning Herald for the years 1986 to 1998. Sue was thrilled as John took them all away.

That collection has since grown into a free searchable online index of more than nine million records drawn from over 470 newspapers across Australia from as early as 1803. The index continues to grow thanks to an army of volunteers.

John Graham is coming to talk to members of the GSV on Wednesday 8 April at 10.30am on zoom. Come and learn about how to get the most out of this fabulous research tool, including some of the little-known features.

https://www.ryersonindex.org/

It’s less than a year until the next AFFHO Congress on Family History: located at Rutherford House, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand from 11 to 14 February 2027.

The theme for 2027 is: Across the Tasman: Natural Allies and Strong Connections
•    The sub-themes are:
•    Voyages
•    Finding women’s stories
•    Uncovering First Nations’ stories
•    DNA
This theme invites us to explore the deep historical ties between Australia and New Zealand — connections forged through migration, shared histories, and family stories that span the Tasman Sea. Wherever your interests lie, there will be rich opportunities to learn, share, and be inspired.

If you are planning to use points to fly there, it’s time to look at booking. You might want to go early (or stay longer) and do some extra research or sightseeing. Wellington is hilly but the conference organisers assure us that the venue is “on a flat bit” and easy walking distance to a number of hotels. They have arranged deals with some hotels, see links on the website.

If you are thinking of going, let us know as we will collate a list like we did for those who attended the Brisbane Congress in 2025. Through a WhatsApp group we coordinated airport transfers, catch ups, dinners and more. It’s a wonderful way to connect before you even arrive.

If you have a talk you would like to submit, we can help you prepare. Congress is a friendly and encouraging environment in which to share your knowledge.
We are thinking of applying to run a workshop on the theme of Voyages. If you can help us prepare and/or present, please contact Meg.
If you haven’t been to a Congress before and are nervous or have questions, please contact us. We are happy to answer questions and help you feel confident about attending.
You can email Meg at gsvlib2@gsv.org.au

Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in family history among like-minded researchers.

To join the mailing list to keep up to date with information, please register on their website https://affhocongress.org/

Another way to stay up to date is through their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/AFFHOCongress

Want to Write Your Family Story but Not Sure Where to Start?

Boxes of Research. Folders of Facts. Digital Archives… But where’s the story? You've got charts, census records, and vital certificates galore, but the stories of the people behind these records remain hidden. Your characters may be modest or majestic, and have played minor or major roles in society, but they are your family and they matter to you. How can you make their story engaging for others?

A good way to begin is with small pieces. Think about one part of your bigger story. Keep your research in the background, and focus on writing something short and well-structured. It could be a single memory, an interesting event, or one ancestor’s moment in history. Completing short pieces helps move your larger story forward, making readers naturally want more!

If you want to develop your confidence, writing style and skills, you will benefit from Writing Family Stories. This new course from GSV, launched in 2025, helps writers craft 500-word pieces while receiving input from presenters and experienced mentors. It is an interactive course with a difference: It’s not just one day, not just lectures, and not even just writing exercises. Our mentors, including authors, academics, historians, teachers, and UTas grads, work with you throughout the course, providing one-on-one support to help you shape and refine your piece.

COURSE SCHEDULE 

– TUE 28 APRIL:  ‘Getting ready to write’ – warm up your pen!
– TUE 12 MAY: ‘Tell your story’ – let the words flow!
– TUE 26 MAY: ‘Revise and polish’ – shine your story!
– TUE 9 JUN: ‘Share your story’ – show off your masterpiece!

(Classes are held from 2.30 to 4:00 Australian Eastern Standard Time)

BOOKING DETAILS

– This course is limited to the first 16 registrants 
– Course fee: $200 for GSV members, $300 for non-members
– Registrations: https://www.gsv.org.au/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=3014

It’s almost here! Will I see you there?

The GSV Australian Family History: Research Strategies & Resources course begins this Saturday. The second session follows on the next Thursday.

I’m really looking forward to it. I’m a fairly experienced researcher but recognise I have gaps in my knowledge. I’m looking forward to picking the brains of those more experienced than I am. I’m also looking forward to getting more background and understanding for some of the stories I am writing about my Australian ancestors.

The first session is a full day seminar on Saturday 21 March from 9am to 4.30pm. It is a hybrid seminar with the opportunity to attend in person at the Library at the Dock, or in the comfort of your own home.

We have great speakers lined up and plenty of time for Q&A and catching up with fellow researchers. Quite a bit of this seminar will cover First Nations people, a topic that was strongly requested in our survey last year. If you’re like me you have very little understanding how our squatting/settling ancestors impacted the local indigenous people.

The second session is an afternoon zoom class all about convict research. Thursday 26 March at 1.30pm. Everything you ever wanted to know about convict resources and even some things that you didn’t know you needed to know! There are a number of little known resources available online or in repositories around Australia. You will be guided as to how to access them.

You can sign up for all nine sessions, or individual seminar and/or zoom sessions. Check the What’s On>Events page of the GSV website. Be sure to log in first to get the special member price.

This is open to non-members too but the price is higher - what a great excuse to join the GSV!

You can join and immediately get the member’s discount by phoning our office between 10am and 4pm on Tue - Fri on 03 9662 4455.

Any questions, email Michael on austresearch@gsv.org.au

Jackie van Bergen

Writing this makes us realise just how many discussion circles the GSV offers — what an extraordinary resource for our members!

After listening to feedback from members and convenors, we’ve made a few changes to the schedule and organisation of our free discussion circles. With so many options each month, choices were becoming difficult — and the workload for our volunteer convenors was growing. These adjustments will help ensure our circles remain engaging and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Why attend a discussion circle live?

Because that’s where the real ‘magic’ happens. You can join the Q&A, share insights, learn from others’ research experiences, test ideas, and even submit a brick wall in advance for group discussion. The recordings are valuable — but the interaction is even better.

Please check the What’s On page (Events tab) for upcoming dates.

Remember to register at the start of each year, as Zoom links change annually. Circle pages are currently being updated — thank you for your patience.

2026 Discussion Circle Schedule

Monthly

• AI for Genealogy (Feb–Nov)
• British India
• DNA Study Group (Feb–Dec)
• Family History Toolbox (formerly Family History Tips & Tricks and The Good Oil) – alternates Wed/Fri
• GSV Writers (Feb–Dec)
• Victoria & Tasmania (Jan–Nov)

Bi-monthly

• Welsh (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec)

Quarterly

• Convicts & Transportation (Feb, May, Aug, Nov)
• Counties of Northern England (CONE) (Feb, May, Aug, Nov)
• International Settlers (Feb, May, Aug, Nov)
• Irish Ancestry (Feb, May, Aug, Nov)
• London & SE Counties (Feb, May, Aug, Nov)
• Early English – pre-1800 (Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec)
• England & Wales (Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec)
• Midlands & East Anglia (Feb, Apr, Jul, Oct)
• SW England (SWERD) (Feb, Apr, Jul, Oct)
• Scottish (Mar, Jun, Sep, Nov)

For more information see https://www.gsv.org.au/special-interest-groups

Our appeal for a microfiche and film scanner and associated equipment is well on the way to its goal.

By mid-February, generous donors had contributed more than 60%, $12,400, of the $20,000 we need to be able to purchase the equipment and start scanning.

We owe special thank-yous to everyone who has already donated, some with extraordinarily generous gifts.

We're near, but have a way to go.

If you have not made a donation yet, would you be prepared to help get us over the line and enable our volunteers to start scanning?

Whether it be $50, $100, or even $1,000 or $5,000, every gift will bring us closer to being able to save and secure our microfiche and film records, for the use of current and future generations of members.

Donations to the GSV are tax-deductible. They can be made online through the Donate Now link on the GSV website homepage, or by calling the GSV (on 9662 4455) with your credit card details, or by a cheque in the mail (to Level 1, 10 Queen Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000).

With your support, I hope my next note to you is to announce that we have reached our goal.

Thank you in advance.

Brian Reid

If you’re researching your Australian family — or thinking about starting — this course offers the structure, skills, and historical framework to help you do it well.

Family history is more than collecting names and dates. To truly understand your ancestors, you need to place them in their time and place — within the social, economic, and historical context that shaped their lives. This course provides a comprehensive guide to researching families in Australia while building that essential framework.

Designed for adult learners, both beginners and experienced researchers will benefit.

Participants will develop:

• Stronger research skills and techniques — learn how to approach your research systematically, analyse evidence, and avoid common pitfalls.
• A broader understanding of Australian history — gain insight into the events and movements that influenced where families migrated, lived and worked.
• Knowledge of the types of records available — explore BDM registrations, church records, land and probate files, immigration and military records, newspapers, electoral rolls, and more.
• Confidence in where and how to access these records — discover how to navigate archives, libraries, and online repositories effectively.

The course format supports steady, meaningful progress. It begins with a full-day hybrid seminar (attend in person or online), followed by seven monthly Zoom sessions — allowing time to apply what you learn between classes — and concludes with a final full-day hybrid seminar to consolidate your knowledge.

Beginners will gain a clear roadmap and strong foundation. More experienced family historians will refine their techniques, expand their understanding of Australian sources, and strengthen their historical context.

Family history is about preserving stories and creating a legacy. With the right skills and knowledge, you can research with confidence and bring your ancestors’ lives into sharper focus.

If you’re ready to deepen your understanding of researching families in Australia, this course will guide you every step of the way.

You can find more details on our dedicated course page of our website: https://www.gsv.org.au/australian-family-history-course-research-strate… Or you can email our course manager, Michael at austresearch@gsv.org.au

Not a member? Join now to get member rates but you’ll need to phone our office to do that: Tue - Fri 10am - 4pm 03 9662 4455.

Access most of the commercial databases for free:

As a member, you can access the following two databases from home: The Genealogist, MyHeritage. Email or phone our office to get the passwords. In addition to this, you can visit our library and access these four sites: ancestry.com, Findmypast, British Newspaper Archive and Biographical Database of Australia.

Access Australian and international journals for free:

Many journal articles have been indexed and listed in the GSV catalogue which members can access from home. If you see something of interest, you can request it via the quick look up service on our research services page.

Free help & research assistance:

Members can access a Quick Look Up for a research query of about 20 minutes length. Our researchers can check in any books or digital documents/databases only available at the GSV premises and send you a copy. As soon as you get the answer to one quick look up, you can request another!
A bonus if you live 100km or more from our premises: you can access 2 hours free research per year.
Our Members Help Members Forum taps into the collective knowledge of our membership.

Free talks and recordings:

Our regular discussion circles are free for members and most are recorded for viewing for a month.
We have over 250 recordings of previous talks available through our catalogue.

Enjoy the use of our resources today - they’re your resources too. 

You can read more of what is included in your membership at https://www.gsv.org.au/membership-benefits-0

Come and join us today.

We have exciting news to share! The Genealogical Society of Victoria (GSV) has launched its official YouTube channel and we would love for you to be part of it.
We’ve called it Family History with GSV

Why YouTube?

Family history is full of fascinating discoveries but sometimes knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Our new channel is here to make it easier, more engaging and accessible for everyone. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or just starting out, you will find something valuable.

What’s on the Channel?

We are creating short, practical videos packed with tips, tutorials and inspiration. Here is a taste of what is to come:

• GSV Discovery Series – Quick tutorials on using GSV resources like our catalogue, GIN, Milestone
• Family History in 5 – Bite-sized tips for beginners: starting your tree, interviewing relatives
• Declutter Your Past – Organising and preserving your family history collection at home
• Member Stories  – Inspiring research stories from our members
• Collection Highlights – Discover our collection

Why Subscribe?

• Get practical tips to boost your research skills
• Discover resources you didn’t know existed
• Connect with a community passionate about family history

Help Us Spread the Word

We would love your support in making this channel a success!

• Subscribe today: www.youtube.com/@GSVFamilyHistory
• Share the channel with friends, family, and anyone curious about their roots
• Leave a comment on our videos, we want to hear your ideas and questions!

Discover a world of family history!

At the GSV we have a number of ways we can help you with your research using DNA:

• on Saturday 14 February at 1pm on Zoom, the Irish Ancestry Discussion circle has guest speaker Craig Smith presenting on Genetic Genealogy - Practical Examples of Using DNA for Family History Research.  It is not a detailed study of the intricacies of DNA testing but gives good examples of how it helps genealogists. Craig is an active member and moderator of the Facebook group Using DNA for Genealogy - Australia & NZ and an administrator of the Mawdsley DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA. For members only, free event.
• our 2026 Using DNA for Family History course begins on Wednesday 18 March at 10am on Zoom. This seven session course will continue monthly on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from March to September. The course is planned to run as a progression of classes ideally to be completed consecutively, but can be taken as one off events for those who need a refresher on that topic. Those who wish to attend specific sessions only should book those individually. A Facebook group is available to support group discussion and learning for the duration of the course. This course is open to members and non-members, check website for cost.
• our DNA study group meets monthly on the 1st Tuesday of each month, starting on 3 February, except for evening meetings in the months of April and August. This group is intended for intermediate to advanced genetic genealogy users. It is a self help group for those familiar with DNA terminology and available tools to hone their skills. For members only, free event.

For more information and to book, please go to our website and look under the What’s On tab - Events, or on the special DNA page:
https://www.gsv.org.au/dna-and-family-history-gsv
If you are a member, please log in to register for the member only events, and to access special pricing for the course.