Searching for Surnames Downunder

After a discussion of the history of burial practices of indigenous and early European arrivals in the colony of New South Wales we will explore the development of cemeteries, crematoriums and memorial parks down under. We will discuss current legislation regulating burials and cremation and look at some current...

Over the 80 years of convict transportation, hundreds of ships transported convicts to the penal settlements of Australia. This seminar focuses on the ships, the voyages, and the records relating to transported convicts.

Many Australians will have a soldier or sailor somewhere in their family tree, particularly from the 20th century onwards. Finding those ancestors who served in Australian contingents during World War One or Two for example, is a relatively straightforward process, mainly because the records are mostly available in Australian archives. However, once the search moves back into the 19th or 18th century, then it can become a more complicated puzzle. This presentation provides an overview of the military history of Europe during the 19th and 18th centuries and outlines the range of records which are available, such as those at The National Archives (UK) in particular as well as Australian archives and military museums and an increasing number of online resources. The wealth of detail will help reveal the life of your military ancestor and may even be able to take your research back into the 18th century.

Sadly, in Australia while censuses were taken, once the statistical data was extracted, most were destroyed. Apart from some early musters, researchers have to use other resources to try and fill in the gaps. These include electoral rolls, directories, gazettes, council rates, land records, civil registration and more. While not…

Australia was founded on emigration, initially forced emigration by the convicts to later the free settlers and post WW2, refugees and displaced person from Europe. Prior to Federation each colony was in charge of its own immigration schemes. This has produced a wealth of records, a case of following the…

This class examines online indexes that are not available through the big subscription sites. Family history societies and volunteer groups have created unique resources only available through their websites. Often free to use or more details are included in a society membership.

The records of churches and congregations in Australia are spread across a range of different archival repositories at local, state and national levels. Come on a journey to find what records might help develop your family history and genealogy, where those records live, and how to access them.

Knowing what we can freely use, without permission, in our family histories ensures that we are not infringing on the rights of others. For example, did you know that if you watch your grandmother make her secret pasta sauce, writing down the ingredients and methods she used, you have created your own 'literary work' which is now protected by copyright? (Just don't tell Granny!) How then does copyright law apply to published and unpublished works? What is fair use and moral rights? Can a distant cousin use information in her family book that I have researched? This presentation will examine those aspects of Australia’s copyright law which apply to family historians and discusses ways we can comply with the law.

Civil (vital) registration began at different times in the Australian colonies and remains a state responsibility to the current day. The amount of information on the certificate varies among the states as does the cost and online availability.