Family History Matters 
 The blog of the GSV 

Welcome to the GSV Blog

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which the Genealogical Society of Victoria currently stands, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, their Elders past and present, and those young people destined to become leaders.

At this Blog - Family History Matters - you can find news and reports of the activities of the Genealogical Society of Victoria (GSV) and articles of interest about family history and genealogy. 

Members can keep in touch and visitors can discover what the GSV offers.

WE WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS TO ANY POST.  GSV Members can add comments in the 'Add New Comment' section at the bottom of each post.  Login to the website as a Member first.

TO SUBMIT A BLOG POST (read more below) or general questions, please contact the Blog Editor: blog@gsv.org.au

RECEIVE EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS of new Posts to this Blog by 'SUBSCRIBING'.  Provide your email address and select Categories (all or some).  You don't have to be a GSV Member for this (but we hope you might join).  If you are a present GSV Member (with an email address), you have been given automatic SUBSCRIPTION to this Blog and will receive email notifications of new posts.

Read more

Beyond Names and Dates: Researching Australian Families in Context
If you’re researching your Australian family — or thinking about starting — this course offers the structure, skills, and historical framework to help you do… Read more
No budget for family history? The GSV can help you
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… Read more
Our YouTube Channel has launched!
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… Read more
Using DNA for family history research
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… Read more
An apology and a request for help
First I want to apologise for a couple of incorrect dates in the last blog. There’s only one volunteer blog writer and no editor so please if you can help me,… Read more
Discover a world of family history in 2026 with the GSV
We are starting 2026 off with a bang! Only a day or two left to book! Our first event for the year is “I was given a DNA kit for Christmas. Now what?” This… Read more
I got a DNA kit for Christmas. Now what?
Did you get a DNA kit for Christmas? Did you gift a kit to a family member for Christmas? What happens now? If you are anything like me, you’ll have questions… Read more
Unlock the secrets of your family’s past with the GSV
We’re very excited about what is coming to GSV in 2026. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be giving you a sneak peak. The first is one of the biggest! The… Read more
Will You Help the GSV This Christmas?
The GSV has a large collection of aging and fragile microfiche and film records. We know they contain information which in some cases is not available… Read more
Have you done all your Christmas shopping?
You only have a few days left to purchase DNA kits at the best price I’ve seen. ancestry.com have a Black Friday price of $59 + postage MyHeritage.com have… Read more