Current and Upcoming Events

The GSV library will be open on Saturday, November 14, 2026, welcoming you from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. For a smooth and secure visit, please remember that advance booking is essential. Ensure you reserve your spot no later than noon on the preceding Friday. You can make your reservation by reaching out to us via phone at (03) 9662 4455 (Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm) or through email at gsv@gsv.org.au.

Open Saturdays will be the 2nd Saturday of the month except for March and June when we will open on the 3rd Saturday of the month. We look forward to assisting you with your research needs on this Saturday and during our upcoming open Saturdays.

This is a face-to-face meeting at the Kathleen Syme Library, Carlton. Our speaker is James Nicolas, who will present on the Victorian history of the Irish National Foresters Friendly Society, which was established in 1886 and provided Irish-focused dance, sport and entertainment, as well as income benefits and medical support.  James' talk will be followed by afternoon tea and socialising.

Even though this event will not be on Zoom, we do need members to register for it in the same way that they would register for a Zoom event.

More information about the Irish Ancestry Group can be found at https://www.gsv.org.au/irish-ancestry-discussion-circle

For GSV members only. Free of charge. Please log in to register. Note, bookings open 3 months before the event.
 

Convenors: Barbara Beaumont, Peter Collins, and Brian Reid.

Do you have ancestors in the north of England? We are an enthusiastic group that meets to discuss research and share interests in the north of England, covering the historical counties of Northumberland, Westmorland, Durham, Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cumberland as well as the Isle of Man.  We meet bi-monthly on the third Tuesday from 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm.

For GSV members only. Free of charge. Please log in to register. Note, bookings open 3 months before the event.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.

Travels in western and southern India

Cherilyn Tilman will tell us about her recent visit to India, focussing on historical sites in Maharashtra and Karnataka.  This was a private undertaking, not a tour and most of the travel within India was by road.  Cherilyn says that she was deeply impressed with the abundance and diversity of historical sites in this small part of India.
The British India Discussion Circle is for GSV members researching their family history in India between 1599 and Independence in 1947.

Aim: To understand and gain further knowledge of our ancestors' connections to, and lives in, British India, including those who worked within the Home Establishment.

Meetings will discuss the records available at the GSV and other organisations in Australia, as well as websites with relevant sources, including The British Library, FamilySearch, Findmypast, FIBIS, and TNA.

More information about this Discussion Circle can be found at  https://www.gsv.org.au/british-india-discussion-circle 

For GSV members only. Free of charge. Please log in to Register.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.
 

Convenor: David Down

Pack Your Bags: Preparing to Travel for Family History

Thinking about following in your ancestors’ footsteps? Join us for a discussion on how to go about preparing for a family history trip.

We’d love to hear from you too! Please bring along your own family history travel stories and any tips or suggestions you’d like to share.

Whether you’re dreaming of a first trip or planning your next, come along, swap stories and get inspired!

Our Family History Toolbox forum examines the sources of family history information and explores how to use them more effectively.

Each session aims to provide information, guidance, and foster engaging discussion on topics requested by members.  

Join us in the Circle for a lively exchange of ideas and insights, all aimed at enhancing your family history research.

For GSV members only. Free of charge. Please log in to register. Note, event registrations can be made from 2 months prior to it's start date. 
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.

The GSV is a leading Australian family history society and exists to assist Members in tracing their ancestors and to promote the study of genealogy.

This session will examine who we are, how we help each other with our research, what resources we hold and how best to access those resources from home and at the Research & Education Centre.

The meeting is designed to inform both new and existing Members and will be held online via Zoom. Your host, David Down, will demonstrate how to access our online resources and will answer any questions.

For GSV Members only.  Free of charge. Please log in to register. Note, event registrations can be made from 2 months prior to it's start date.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.

This class is being presented on Zoom. 

Methodology and resources. A planned approach to starting your family history. Searching, recording, staying on track, avoiding the pitfalls ... there is much to learn from our experienced researchers. We highly recommend this session.
Topics will include:

• Collecting and recording information
• Births, Death & Marriages
• Cemeteries
• Wills & Probate
• Passenger & Naturalisation records
• Occupation & residential records
• Newspapers

GSV members only. Please log in to register. Note, bookings open 3 months before the event.
Zoom link is sent with confirmation email.

At our next ISG meeting in November we will be hearing a talk about Researching Chinese Australian Family History: A Beginner's Guide

Presented by Terry Young, President of the Chinese Australian Family Historians of Victoria (CAFHOV)

Terry Young spent the first year of his life in a Coburg market garden, where his father and grandfather both worked as market gardeners. His research into their lives sparked a deep interest in the history of Chinese Australians in Victoria, a hidden and often difficult story that many people don't know about.

Chinese Australian research comes with its own unique challenges. This talk offers practical guidance for beginners, including a demonstration of the CAFHOV Chinese Family History Research Guide and real examples from Terry's own family.

Topics covered:

• Chinese naming conventions
• A short history of Chinese migration to Australia
• Finding relevant National Archives of Australia (NAA) records
• Chinese graves in the Melbourne General Cemetery
• Searching for ancestors in China
• Using the new "Chindex" database to search for Chinese names
• An introduction to CAFHOV

More information: www.cafhov.com

Discover what the International Settlers Group has to offer!

Research Assistance: Receive expert guidance for your genealogical research, both in Australia and abroad.
Connection and Collaboration: Forge valuable connections with fellow members, exchange ideas, and engage in activities together.
Library Insight: Receive direction on the wealth of records housed in the Genealogical Society of Victoria (GSV) library, tailored to your specific research needs.
Informative Newsletter: Stay informed with our regularly published newsletter, featuring ISG activities, captivating articles, and insightful reports.
Resource Exploration: Unlock the potential of genealogical records available within the ISG to enhance your research.

More information about the International Settlers can be found at https://www.gsv.org.au/international-settlers-group-isgnon-british-research

For GSV members and non-members. Members please log in to register. Note, bookings open 3 months before the event.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.

• Describing photographs and objects
• Understanding inference vs evidence

• Privacy concerns and data handling
• Responsible use within genealogical standards

• Emerging tools relevant to genealogy
• Skills worth developing
• How has AI and its use in genealogy developed in 2026
• Shaping future GSV sessions

We finish prepared, not overwhelmed.

For GSV members only. Please log in to register. Note, event registrations can be made from 2 months prior to it's start date.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.
 

The Convicts and Transportation Discussion Circle (CATDC) is for GSV members researching or interested in the convict system. Ancestral connections to a convict are not a requirement for participation in the discussion circle. The meetings take place on Zoom and registrants will receive an email with the Zoom link.

More information about this discussion circle can be found at https://www.gsv.org.au/convicts-and-transportation-discussion-circle

For GSV members only. Members must log in to register. Note, bookings open 3 months before the event.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.

The London and South-East Counties Discussion Circle is for GSV Members who are researching their family history in London and the surrounding counties of Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Berkshire, Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, and East and West Sussex.

More information about this Discussion Circle can be found at: https://www.gsv.org.au/london-south-east-counties-discussion-circle

For GSV members only. Free of charge. Please log in to register. Note, bookings open 3 months before the event.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.

Book Club and 2027 Planning

Join us and tell us about a book or two that has informed your family / historical research and that you think will help others. It will be a book about Victoria or Tasmania, fiction or non-fiction, that gave you further insight, understanding and information about your ancestors' lives. Be prepared to speak about it for a few minutes. It would really help us add it to the book list if you have a sentence or brief paragraph describing it.
We'll also look at our 2027 program so any input and ideas are welcome.
The Victoria and Tasmania Discussion Circle is for GSV members researching their family history in these two States. This meeting will take place on Zoom, and registrants will receive an email with the Zoom link.

More information about this Discussion Circle can be found at
https://www.gsv.org.au/victoria-and-tasmania-discussion-circle

For GSV members only. Free of charge. Please log in to register. Note, event registrations can be made from 2 months prior to it's start date.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.

Our most recent info is available on the Scottish Discussion Circle Noticeboard.  The Circle meets 4 times a year in March, June, September and November on the 3rd Saturday afternoon to hear speakers, tell stories of Scottish history and families, and assist each other in our research.  We aim to promote research into Scottish family history and promote an understanding of the nuances relating to research into Scottish family history, cultural heritage and society.  We publish Thistle 4 times a year with stories and help for research.
More information about the Scottish Discussion Circle can be found at https://www.gsv.org.au/scottish-discussion-circle-scotdisc or contact scotland@gsv.org.au

For GSV members only. Free of charge. Please log in to register. Note, bookings open 3 months before the event.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.

Convener: Maureen Trotter. 

This discussion circle is intended for intermediate to advanced genetic genealogy users. It is a self-help group for individuals familiar with DNA terminology and available software tools, who would like to work in a small study group where participants meet to continue honing their skills in genetic genealogy.

Participants will have completed the GSV DNA for beginners classes or have a similar knowledge base.

The study group will meet on the Internet via Zoom on the first Tuesday of the month.
Maximum attendees of 30 per meeting.

For GSV members only. Free of charge. Please log in to register. Bookings are essential. Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.
 

Whether you are just starting or an experienced writer, the GSV Writers Circle connects you with like-minded, supportive members who want to make their family history research into readable stories. Our varied program includes writing topics everyone can participate in and will help you on your writing journey. 
Contact Convenor Jenny Scammell at gsvwriters@gsv.org.au if you have any questions.

For GSV members only. Free of charge. Please log in to register. Note, event registrations can be made from 2 months prior to it's start date.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.

The Welsh Research Discussion Circle provides a chance for those tracing Welsh ancestry to share knowledge and experience and for those new to Welsh research to gain some hints. Members discuss what resources they have used, local genealogical societies they belong to and, for those lucky enough to have visited Wales, their research experience there. Collaboration provides a chance to work through challenges and brick walls.
Presentations and discussions will cover topics specifically relevant to Welsh research. The England and Wales Discussion Group will cover topics pertinent to the whole of England and Wales.

For GSV members only. Free of charge. Please log in to register.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.
 

Are you having problems finding those pre-1800s ancestors?

Where can you go from here? What other sources can be used?

This circle will cover all English counties and will introduce you to a range of less well-known record sources. All members are welcome.

For GSV members only.  Please log in to register. Note, bookings open 3 months before the event.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.

Convenor: Jenny Redman.

The Midlands of England were the heartland of the Industrial Revolution. The area includes a wide variety of localities from the very rural to Birmingham, the second largest city in the United Kingdom.  Counties to be discussed are Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

For GSV members only. Free of charge. Please log in to register. Note, bookings open 3 months before the event.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.

Unlocking the Past: England & Wales Discussion Circle

The meetings of England & Wales Circle will focus on topics that are pertinent to the whole of England and Wales. This includes topics such as poor laws, workhouses, education, census records, health, political and social conditions.

For GSV members only.  Please log in to register. Note, event registrations can be made from 2 months prior to it's start date.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.

The GSV library will be open on Saturday, December 12, 2026, welcoming you from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. For a smooth and secure visit, please remember that advance booking is essential. Ensure you reserve your spot no later than noon on the preceding Friday. You can make your reservation by reaching out to us via phone at (03) 9662 4455 (Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm) or through email at gsv@gsv.org.au.

Open Saturdays will be the 2nd Saturday of the month except for March and June when we will open on the 3rd Saturday of the month. We look forward to assisting you with your research needs on this Saturday and during our upcoming open Saturdays.

The GSV is a leading Australian family history society and exists to assist Members in tracing their ancestors and to promote the study of genealogy.

This session will examine who we are, how we help each other with our research, what resources we hold and how best to access those resources from home and at the Research & Education Centre.

The meeting is designed to inform both new and existing Members and will be held online via Zoom. Your host, David Down, will demonstrate how to access our online resources and will answer any questions.

For GSV Members only.  Free of charge. Please log in to register. Note, event registrations can be made from 2 months prior to it's start date.
Zoom link provided with registration confirmation email.

The GSV Library will be closed from Monday December 21, 2026 to Monday January 4, 2027.

However, we are pleased to inform you that the library will be open on the second Saturday of each month in 2027. To secure your visit, please ensure that you book in advance. Reservations must be made no later than noon on the preceding Friday.
You can reserve your spot by contacting us during business hours (Mon-Fri 10am - 4pm) via phone at (03) 9662 4455 or by sending an email to gsv@gsv.org.au. We look forward to welcoming you for your research needs during our open Saturdays.