Down Under Series

A special series created for genealogists living Down Under. Webinars are presented live and in respect to the local time zone. Topics include Down Under genealogy, technology, and U.K. and European ancestral research.

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50:14
791 views
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From The Ashes: The 1922 Irish Public Record Office Fire and Irish Genealogy
The destruction of the Public Records Office in June 1922 at the outset of the Irish Civil War has cast a long shadow over Irish genealogical research. Anyone who has sought their Irish ancestors has likely encountered frustration at the gaps in available records caused by this disaster. But how much do we really know about the events that caused the fire and were all our records really lost? This talk will explore the background to the Public Record Office fire and address some of the myths that have grown up around it. It will also examine how recent advances in conservation techniques and modern technology are allowing the recovery of some records previously believed lost, with a particular focus on the recent Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland Project.
The destruction of the Public Records Office in June 1922 at the outset of the Irish Civil War has cast a long shadow over Irish genealogical research. Anyone who has sought their Irish ancestors has likely encountered frustration at the gaps in available records caused by this disaster. But how much do we really know about the events that caused the fire and were all our records really lost? This talk will explore the background to the Public Record Office fire and address some of the myths that have grown up around it. It will also examine how recent advances in conservation techniques and modern technology are allowing the recovery of some records previously believed lost, with a particular focus on the recent Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland Project.
Wed, October 1 2025: 9:00 UTC
59:59
326 views
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Ancestors on the Margins: tracing misfortunate ancestors in Britain
This presentation focusses on helping family historians with British ancestry to research those whose conditions or behaviours may have led them to become marginalised, or discriminated against. Their circumstances were often the result of personal misfortune, exacerbated by society’s intolerance and they are often the ancestors who are not given due attention when we research, perhaps because their life experiences make us feel uncomfortable. Now is the time to focus on the Illegitimate, the poverty stricken, the sick and the lawbreakers and restore them to prominence in the family’s story. The presentation will also consider the ethical issues that arise when telling the stories of the marginalised.
This presentation focusses on helping family historians with British ancestry to research those whose conditions or behaviours may have led them to become marginalised, or discriminated against. Their circumstances were often the result of personal misfortune, exacerbated by society’s intolerance and they are often the ancestors who are not given due attention when we research, perhaps because their life experiences make us feel uncomfortable. Now is the time to focus on the Illegitimate, the poverty stricken, the sick and the lawbreakers and restore them to prominence in the family’s story. The presentation will also consider the ethical issues that arise when telling the stories of the marginalised.
Wed, September 3 2025: 9:00 UTC
58:26
370 views
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Why you want Irish Quaker ancestors
The Irish Quaker community is today very small but at the turn of the 19th century, they were a large, active mobile community in Ireland, with strong links to Pennsylvania, which was founded by William Penn, an English Quaker. They also kept amazingly detailed records in both the personal and business spheres. This lecture traces the history and impact of Irish Quakers and showcases their records while considering what a largescale DNA project might uncover for this endogamous and distinct community within Ireland.
The Irish Quaker community is today very small but at the turn of the 19th century, they were a large, active mobile community in Ireland, with strong links to Pennsylvania, which was founded by William Penn, an English Quaker. They also kept amazingly detailed records in both the personal and business spheres. This lecture traces the history and impact of Irish Quakers and showcases their records while considering what a largescale DNA project might uncover for this endogamous and distinct community within Ireland.
Wed, August 6 2025: 9:00 UTC
1:23:34
1.1K views
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Irish Ancestors – 5 More Essential Websites You Need to Know About
Following on from the ‘Irish Ancestors – Top 5 Websites You Need To Know About’ webinar delivered in January 2024, this talk examines five more key websites. These websites, most of which are free to access, hold a wealth of information that can help to build your family tree and build a picture of their lives. We will examine the type of records held on each site and will include search hints and tips to get the most out of your research on the following websites: The National Archives, Griffith’s Valuation, The Registry of Deeds, Roots Ireland, The British Newspaper Archive.
Following on from the ‘Irish Ancestors – Top 5 Websites You Need To Know About’ webinar delivered in January 2024, this talk examines five more key websites. These websites, most of which are free to access, hold a wealth of information that can help to build your family tree and build a picture of their lives. We will examine the type of records held on each site and will include search hints and tips to get the most out of your research on the following websites: The National Archives, Griffith’s Valuation, The Registry of Deeds, Roots Ireland, The British Newspaper Archive.
Wed, July 2 2025: 9:00 UTC
1:09:08
606 views
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Hidden in the Newsprint: UK Edition
An insight into the wealth of information that is available within newspapers including the British Newspaper Archive and The Gazette as well as hints and tips for getting more out of searching and finding useful articles within the newspapers.
An insight into the wealth of information that is available within newspapers including the British Newspaper Archive and The Gazette as well as hints and tips for getting more out of searching and finding useful articles within the newspapers.
Wed, June 4 2025: 9:00 UTC
54:28
1.2K views
French
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7 conseils de productivité pour Google Chrome
Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA. Le logiciel de généalogie numéro 1 est probablement… Google Chrome ! Statistiquement, Chrome est le navigateur numéro 1, et tant de recherches généalogiques se font dans un navigateur. Découvrez 7 façons de rendre vos recherches généalogiques plus productives en utilisant Google Chrome.
Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA. Le logiciel de généalogie numéro 1 est probablement… Google Chrome ! Statistiquement, Chrome est le navigateur numéro 1, et tant de recherches généalogiques se font dans un navigateur. Découvrez 7 façons de rendre vos recherches généalogiques plus productives en utilisant Google Chrome.
Wed, May 7 2025: 2:00 UTC
54:28
1.2K views
CC
7 Productivity Tips for Google Chrome
The #1 genealogy software is probably…Google Chrome! Statistically, Chrome is the #1 browser, and so much genealogy research happens in a browser. Learn 7 ways to make your genealogy research more productive while using Google Chrome.
The #1 genealogy software is probably…Google Chrome! Statistically, Chrome is the #1 browser, and so much genealogy research happens in a browser. Learn 7 ways to make your genealogy research more productive while using Google Chrome.
Wed, May 7 2025: 2:00 UTC
59:17
896 views
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Finding Great-Granny’s Family: Four Words and DNA
This case study illustrates how four simple words in a newspaper notice and DNA evidence became the key to unlocking Great Granny’s Irish roots. The research journey began with the cryptic phrase “Toowoomba papers please copy” in an 1886 death notice. This small clue directed the research to the Hanlon family in another location hundreds of kilometres away, with DNA evidence crucial to confirm the connection back to Kilkenny, Ireland. The presentation highlights the importance of scrutinising every detail in historical documents, no matter how small, and explores techniques for following unexpected leads across disparate locations, combining traditional research with DNA analysis.
This case study illustrates how four simple words in a newspaper notice and DNA evidence became the key to unlocking Great Granny’s Irish roots. The research journey began with the cryptic phrase “Toowoomba papers please copy” in an 1886 death notice. This small clue directed the research to the Hanlon family in another location hundreds of kilometres away, with DNA evidence crucial to confirm the connection back to Kilkenny, Ireland. The presentation highlights the importance of scrutinising every detail in historical documents, no matter how small, and explores techniques for following unexpected leads across disparate locations, combining traditional research with DNA analysis.
Wed, April 9 2025: 2:00 UTC
1:13:39
876 views
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Oops! Married twice (at the same time) Case Studies in Bigamy!
Divorce in Queensland Australia was very difficult to obtain. Some couples then just lived together and some underwent a bigamous marriage. What were the penalties? The records? Follow these ten bigamy case studies.
Divorce in Queensland Australia was very difficult to obtain. Some couples then just lived together and some underwent a bigamous marriage. What were the penalties? The records? Follow these ten bigamy case studies.
Wed, February 5 2025: 1:00 UTC
1:11:56
Finding Your British WWI Soldier – Dead or Alive
New record images create the most complete set of records to identify the over 5.5 million soldiers served in the British Army during World War I. This is a large topic, but research has gotten easier during the last couple of years as original resources and indexes have become available online, and new finding aids have been created. This lecture examines what records were destroyed during WWII, what records survived along with how to use the new indexes, online originals and how to interpret them. Plus put the soldier’s actions into battle context.
New record images create the most complete set of records to identify the over 5.5 million soldiers served in the British Army during World War I. This is a large topic, but research has gotten easier during the last couple of years as original resources and indexes have become available online, and new finding aids have been created. This lecture examines what records were destroyed during WWII, what records survived along with how to use the new indexes, online originals and how to interpret them. Plus put the soldier’s actions into battle context.
Wed, December 4 2024: 1:00 UTC
1:02:55
510 views
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Family History Treasure in Australian Libraries
This presentation looks at what resources are available in Australia’s national, state and local libraries for family history research. Many state and local history and heritage resources are only available at the library. Find out what you might be missing.
This presentation looks at what resources are available in Australia’s national, state and local libraries for family history research. Many state and local history and heritage resources are only available at the library. Find out what you might be missing.
Wed, November 6 2024: 1:00 UTC
1:20:44
1.1K views
French
CC
Généalogie efficace : Rationalisez votre recherche avec TextExpander
Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA. Êtes-vous fatigué de retaper les mêmes phrases encore et encore ? Ce webinaire est fait pour vous ! Christine vous montre comment utiliser TextExpander pour créer des “extraits” pour vos phrases les plus utilisées. Elle montre comment créer des extraits pour les citations de sources, les phrases fréquemment utilisées, et plus encore. Elle vous montre également comment utiliser TextExpander pour créer vos propres raccourcis de généalogie.
Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA. Êtes-vous fatigué de retaper les mêmes phrases encore et encore ? Ce webinaire est fait pour vous ! Christine vous montre comment utiliser TextExpander pour créer des “extraits” pour vos phrases les plus utilisées. Elle montre comment créer des extraits pour les citations de sources, les phrases fréquemment utilisées, et plus encore. Elle vous montre également comment utiliser TextExpander pour créer vos propres raccourcis de généalogie.
Wed, September 4 2024: 2:00 UTC

Upcoming Live Webinars

View all (40)
1:10:34
111 views
Free
Using Australian post office directories in MyHeritage
This webinar explores the different types of information to be found in post office directories. It looks at how families and individuals can be traced using the directories. Some pitfalls are also highlighted.
This webinar explores the different types of information to be found in post office directories. It looks at how families and individuals can be traced using the directories. Some pitfalls are also highlighted.
Wed, October 15 2025: 1:00 UTC
Fri, October 17 2025: 15:30 UTC
Resolving Conflict: A Key to Sound Genealogical Conclusions (a 2025 Reisinger Lecture)
Fri, October 17 2025: 15:30 UTC
What happens when all evidence cannot possibly be correct? The process of assembling evidence may reveal inconsistencies and the Genealogical Proof Standard emphasizes that resolving conflict is essential for credible conclusions. Through case examples, this lecture will help genealogists recognize conflicts and provide strategies to resolve them in order to build family stories that are authentic and accurate.
What happens when all evidence cannot possibly be correct? The process of assembling evidence may reveal inconsistencies and the Genealogical Proof Standard emphasizes that resolving conflict is essential for credible conclusions. Through case examples, this lecture will help genealogists recognize conflicts and provide strategies to resolve them in order to build family stories that are authentic and accurate.
Fri, October 17 2025: 15:30 UTC
Fri, October 17 2025: 16:45 UTC
Cluster Research Using the FAN Principle (2025 Reisinger Lecture)
Fri, October 17 2025: 16:45 UTC
When records are scarce—or names are all too common—cluster research can be the key to unlocking your genealogical puzzles. By examining the people who surrounded your ancestor—the friends, associates, and neighbors—you can separate individuals with the same name, untangle multiple families in one place, and uncover biographical details you might otherwise miss. Join us to explore practical strategies and real-world examples that show how powerful the FAN principle can be.
When records are scarce—or names are all too common—cluster research can be the key to unlocking your genealogical puzzles. By examining the people who surrounded your ancestor—the friends, associates, and neighbors—you can separate individuals with the same name, untangle multiple families in one place, and uncover biographical details you might otherwise miss. Join us to explore practical strategies and real-world examples that show how powerful the FAN principle can be.
Fri, October 17 2025: 16:45 UTC
Fri, October 17 2025: 19:30 UTC
Assembling Indirect Evidence to Locate the Mother, Siblings, & Slaveowner of Freedman Arthur Braud (a 2025 Reisinger Lecture)
Fri, October 17 2025: 19:30 UTC
Research on formerly enslaved people is difficult by its very nature because enslaved people were classed as property prior to the Civil War and faced the challenges of marginalization in the segregated society that developed after the War. Crucial to uncovering information on enslaved people prior to emancipation is studying their lives as freedpeople after for clues as to who their families were and who their former owners might have been. As with any family, clues regarding identity, relationships, and ownership during slavery, are often uncovered as the result of applying the FAN principle and piecing together potential family groups.
Research on formerly enslaved people is difficult by its very nature because enslaved people were classed as property prior to the Civil War and faced the challenges of marginalization in the segregated society that developed after the War. Crucial to uncovering information on enslaved people prior to emancipation is studying their lives as freedpeople after for clues as to who their families were and who their former owners might have been. As with any family, clues regarding identity, relationships, and ownership during slavery, are often uncovered as the result of applying the FAN principle and piecing together potential family groups.
Fri, October 17 2025: 19:30 UTC
Fri, October 17 2025: 20:45 UTC
Mapping for Research Success (a 2025 Reisinger Lecture)
Fri, October 17 2025: 20:45 UTC
Many challenging research problems involve understanding where our ancestors lived, their land, neighbors, jurisdictions, and landmarks. While historical maps can sometimes be found for the geography of our research problem, they often don’t cover the timeframe or include specific data that our research has uncovered. Genealogists frequently need to edit or create maps to communicate their findings and conclusions. This presentation will focus on leveraging existing maps, using online tools to annotate and edit, and/or create new maps that can be utilized for individual analysis, as well as in research reports and articles. With over 40 years of experience as a professional graphic designer, the lecturer will illustrate techniques using free and paid tools that can be used to produce effective maps.
Many challenging research problems involve understanding where our ancestors lived, their land, neighbors, jurisdictions, and landmarks. While historical maps can sometimes be found for the geography of our research problem, they often don’t cover the timeframe or include specific data that our research has uncovered. Genealogists frequently need to edit or create maps to communicate their findings and conclusions. This presentation will focus on leveraging existing maps, using online tools to annotate and edit, and/or create new maps that can be utilized for individual analysis, as well as in research reports and articles. With over 40 years of experience as a professional graphic designer, the lecturer will illustrate techniques using free and paid tools that can be used to produce effective maps.
Fri, October 17 2025: 20:45 UTC
Fri, October 17 2025: 22:00 UTC
¡Eureka! Confirmación del Lineaje Ancestral: DNA and Documents Prove a Mexican Ancestral Line (a 2025 Reisinger Lecture)
Fri, October 17 2025: 22:00 UTC
Karen will illustrate the genetic confirmation of a Mexican ancestral line that goes back four generations to a small town in Guanajuato, Mexico. Integration of evidence from DNA tests and original records meets the Genealogical Proof Standard. Lecture in English using Mexican records.
Karen will illustrate the genetic confirmation of a Mexican ancestral line that goes back four generations to a small town in Guanajuato, Mexico. Integration of evidence from DNA tests and original records meets the Genealogical Proof Standard. Lecture in English using Mexican records.
Fri, October 17 2025: 22:00 UTC