GSV News

AFFHO Family History Month celebrates the remarkable lives of ordinary people whose stories have shaped families, communities and nations. Every family tree contains people whose names may never have appeared in history books, yet whose perseverance, courage and everyday achievements created lasting legacies for future generations.

It all begins on Saturday 1 August at 5pm with speaker Eve Terry of the National Archives of Australia presenting Diaspora: the Greek Migrant experience in Queensland. She will explore migrant selection documents, arrival records, and alien registration papers from the national archival collection.

If you register for the Opening and Closing ceremonies you get the chance to win great prizes.
https://www.affho.org/family-history-month/

There are talks, workshops, exhibitions and more available, from societies, archives and libraries from all across Australia.
https://www.affho.org/whats-on/
There are a variety of event delivery mode: zoom, hybrid and in person. There are members only events, and some are open to all. Some are free, some a small fee.

The following GSV events will be open to the general public, all on Zoom. This is a great chance to invite a friend or two to ‘try us out’. Remember we still have our membership offer: introduce a friend to membership and you get two extra months added to your membership and they get the joining fee waived.

Go the GSV website - What’s On > Events to book. Log on to get member price. You will receive an email which will contain the Zoom invitation link.

Thursday 13 August 1 to 4pm. Getting Started with Oral History: Every Story Matters. Your family has stories worth preserving - capture them before they are lost. Members free. Non-Members $10

Friday 14 August 7 to 8.30pm. Researching Your Scottish Ancestry back from Australia to Scotland. Members free. Non-Members $10

Saturday 15 August 9 to 10.15am. Introduction to the GSV and its Resources. Free to all.

Saturday 15 August 10:30am to 12pm. Researching Your Family History. Learn from experienced researchers how best to search, record, stay on track, and avoid the pitfalls. Free to all.

Tuesday 18 August 10:30am to 12pm. The British India Discussion Circle is for GSV members researching their family history in India between 1599 and Independence in 1947. Free to all.

Wednesday 19 August 7 to 8.30pm. ScotlandsPeople website. This talk will explore what's on the website, how to register as a user, buy credits, obtain certificates, and more. Members free. Non-Members $10

Thursday 27 August 7:30 to 9pm. The Women Behind the Man: Female Convicts and the Wealthy Landowner who employed them. Genealogist & Record Agent, Bronwyn Paschalidis will talk about Scotsman William Murray and the lives of a few of the female convicts who worked for him between 1844 and 1853. This is a combined Convicts & Transportation and Victoria/Tasmania Discussion Circle meeting. Free to all.

Join us for another fascinating presentation direct from Wales. Nigel Hughes returns and will explore the profound influence of the Welsh Bible on the nation's history, culture and identity.
Far more than a religious text, the Welsh Bible helped preserve the Welsh language, inspired widespread literacy and education, and laid the foundations for the growth of Nonconformity. Its influence also shaped the social and political movements that transformed Wales, including the rise of radicalism during the nineteenth century.
Nigel’s presentation will provide valuable insights into the world our Welsh ancestors knew and the forces that shaped their communities.

If you are lucky enough to have a family bible from Wales, or even a story about one, bring it along to the meeting. 

Your Questions Answered: Some of our members wanted more time for discussion after Nigel’s fantastic presentation last year. To make sure everyone gets a voice, Nigel has generously offered to tackle your questions directly. If you have any lingering questions from last year's session, or specific queries ahead of this one, please email them to wales@gsv.org.au by July 18.

Details:
Thursday 6 August at 7.30pm on Zoom. Please log in to the website and register though the What’s On? > Events page to get your Zoom link.
This is part of the Welsh Discussion Circle program. It is open to GSV members only and free.

Do you find land records confusing? Have you ever come across references to grants, selections or leases in your family history and placed them in the "too hard" basket? If so, you're not alone - and this presentation is for you.

Many family historians shy away from land records because they seem complicated. They are some of the richest sources we have, revealing not just where our ancestors lived, but how they acquired land, their financial circumstances, their neighbours, and the lives they built.

Join us for an informative and practical presentation on Thursday 30 July at 1.30pm on Zoom. Historian Richard Broome sets the scene with an overview of land regulation and acquisition in Australia. Meg Bate explains why land records deserve a place in every genealogist's toolbox. Margaret Fleming OAM takes us on a journey through Victoria's rich collection of squatter and selection records, along with the mapping tools available through the Public Record Office Victoria (PROV). To finish, Meg takes us beyond Victoria, introducing resources for researching land records across Australia. She will explain changes in boundaries and terminology, and highlight guides that can help you continue your research, wherever your ancestors settled.

Whether you're tackling land records for the first time or looking for new clues to break down a brick wall, you'll leave with greater confidence, practical strategies, and plenty of inspiration.

Details:
Thursday 30 July at 1:30pm-4.30pm, online via Zoom
GSV members: log in to access your discounted rate.
NB: This course is Session 6 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.

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.