- Our Society has a number of interest groups that meet during the year and we invite you, either member or visitor, to come along and learn about the latest developments and resources becoming available in areas of your particular interest, get help solving problems, and enjoy the company of others sharing information and progressing with your family history. There's something for everyone in our range of interest groups.
- On this page, the group co-ordinators have provided details of how the meetings are conducted. Some meetings are in the Research Centre and some are via ZOOM. We look forward to seeing you.
- Attendance at a group meeting attracts a fee of $5. CLICK here to enrol and pay
NOTICE
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In 2025 there will be changes of various kinds in relation to our Special Interest Groups so please check the Interest Group page for further information. In particular, the English, Australian and Legacy Computer groups will be discontinued and instead, one-day mini seminars are proposed. There will also be a a new Technology Group.
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Writers
5 Conducted by Leonie Bell
Enquiries: [email protected] The Group members, who write family history, memoirs and local history, are looking forward to continuing their writing journeys in 2025 and new members will be made very welcome. For family history writers, belonging to a group keeps you motivated, builds confidence, gives you new perspectives and independent feedback on your work in a friendly, constructive environment. We learn how others present their stories to provide inspiration and you can share and explore ideas and techniques with like-minded people, stimulating your imagination in a spirit of community and friendship. Remember: first drafts don't have to be perfect, they just have to be written. Let us help you get started or rekindle your enthusiasm for writing your book. DNA
Conducted by John Levy Enquiries: [email protected] In the rapidly expanding area of family research that is DNA, participating in this Group will keep you abreast of the latest developments. The meeting commences with a general update and discussion after which a Question & Answer period helps those with queries or problems. Irish
Conducted by Elizabeth Steinlein.
Our Irish Interest Group is attended by many passionate Irish descendants searching for their families’ origins! They are a great encouragement to each other as they share the information and stories they have found so far. All the main sets of Irish records are free on line for anyone to search. There is always someone to explain these records or guide you as to their use. We have listed and mapped our members’ interests and will happily introduce new members to others who share a family name or townland/county where your family may have originated. There are often new sources of information or helpful blogs to consult. No further meetings will be held in 2024 and changes are to be made to meeting frequency next year - details early 2025 |
Scottish
Conducted by Jean Campbell
Enquiries: [email protected] The SIG was formed in February 2008 and has been meeting five or six times a year ever since. Each meeting, members have a session of questions, disussions and/or answers, as well as presenting talks on an ancestor or an item from Scotland. There have been visual presentations by members who have visited Scotland that year. Each meeting has a focus on a Scottish family topic, with a PowerPoint presentation and an informative handout. Topics recently included: The Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Scots Law, free online Scottish resources, Scottish household items, and disasters in Scotland from 1690s. The Scottish Interest Group has also produced a 12 page booklet, a Scottish Research Guide, with information on the records available, which are unique to the country. The booklet is available for $5 at the Research Centre. Family Tree Maker
Enquiries: [email protected]
The Family Tree Maker Interest Group caters for all levels of expertise, from beginners to experienced users. The software is essentially identical for PC and Mac. As well as helping newcomers with their "teething problems", the Family Tree Maker Group also explores the more advanced features of this software, including colour coding, using Photo Darkroom to enhance photographs, creating charts, reports and a Genealogy Book. Frequent use is made of the excellent tutorials and videos which have been created for this software. Although not essential, many members bring their laptops to the meetings and have their queries and problems solved (usually) on the spot... |