GSV News

GSV’s very popular Zoom course ‘DNA for Family Historians’ is starting again on Monday 25 March 2024.  Sessions are presented by Alan Rhodes, a long-time GSV member and experienced genetic genealogist.

Whether you are looking to break down a brick wall, find an unknown close family member, extend your family tree, confirm your research, or find new cousins, DNA can help with your family history.  

The sessions start with the basics and progress through to more intermediate topics.  The aim is to help you understand your DNA results and use them to progress your family history research.  They are relevant to which ever testing company you have used but focus on Ancestry and My Heritage.

The early sessions assume people are just starting to use DNA for family history.  You can either follow the whole series of sessions or join for topics of interest.  Look at the GSV Events Calendar for the details of each session.

Detailed handouts are provided for each session which explain the main ideas and provide suggestions for further reading and follow up activities.  GSV also offers a DNA email where you can ask questions about the session or get advice on using your DNA test.

You need to register for each session you want to attend.  There is a $10 registration fee for each session.  Live Zoom sessions are at 11:00 - 12:30 on Mondays, with time for questions and discussion.  This year, a recording of each session will be available on Monday evenings at 7:30pm the week after the live session.  Register for the session and you can either attend the live session, the recording or both!  Just use the same link and no extra cost.

If you have not yet done a DNA test and wondering whether you should, why not look at the GSV’s three webcasts, listed in the GSV catalogue.  They cover the basics of:

• Should I do a DNA test?
• DNA Ethnicity results
• DNA and family history

If you have any questions about the sessions or how they might help you, email us at dna@gsv.org.au

A quick blog to tell you about one of my favourite GSV services.
And it’s all free (to members).

We have a happy team of skilled and willing research assistants who love to help you.

Do you get frustrated when you can see a record on Findmypast, Ancestry or The Genealogist but don’t have the subscription or subscription level to access that record? Remember you can search these without a subscription, just create a log in.

Send a Quick Look Up request with all the available details (perhaps a screenshot) of the record you want and the research assistant will email you the record.

Did you hear about a new book or journal obtained by GSV and not know if your ancestor is mentioned in it?
Send a Quick Look Up request detailing which book/journal and ask the research assistant to look in the index. If successful they will even scan the page and email it to you.

Can’t access that Family Search or Early Church record you want?
Found something in the British Newspaper Archive and can’t access it?
Send a Quick Look up request with as many details as possible and the research assistant will:

• as an affiliate library get the family search record for you
• send you a copy of the original early church record from the CD at GSV
• email you a copy of the news article.

Remember this service is designed for queries that will only take about 20 minutes to look up, but if the research assistants are having a quiet day, you might get lucky and get a little more.
It’s not an instant service, you might have to wait if they are busy.

You can only send one Quick Look Up request at a time but you can send another as soon as you get your answer.

To access this service:

• log in to the GSV website
• hover over the Research Menu and select Research Services (https://dev.gsv.org.au/research-services)
• scroll down to the Research Services for GSV Members section
• and click on the Members - Quick Look-up Service - Free on the left hand side

Jackie van Bergen

We have new dates and opening hours on Saturdays.  Our open Saturdays in 2024 will generally be the 2nd Saturday of the month except for March and June when it will be the 3rd Saturday to avoid clashes with long weekends. The open Saturdays are all listed on the Events part of our website. The upcoming open Saturday dates are 10th February, 16th March and 13th April.

We will be open from 10am to 3pm on these dates but you do need to book by noon the day before. Bookings can be made via phone at +61 3 9662 4455 (Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm) or via email at gsv@gsv.org.au

Saturdays are a good time to visit the GSV Library. Why you might be thinking? Well, on our open Saturdays we usually have 2 or 3 experienced Library Assistants to help you and others who have booked to come in. So it provides a quieter environment for your research than on weekdays.

If you want to drive into the city there is cheap parking at the covered car park in Bond Street directly opposite the GSV. Or if you want to come in by train it is much easier to get car parking near your local station or at an intermediate station.

Our dedicated Saturday Library Research Assistants look forward to meeting and helping you soon.

Have you been thinking about testing your DNA to help find that elusive ancestor, but still have questions about whether DNA testing could help?

Testing can confirm your current research findings and help break down your brick walls. You will find living relatives to share information with and learn about your ethnicity by identifying your distant ancestral origins. We will explain how we, at the GSV, can help you explore and understand your results.

You may have questions about which company to test with, what are the costs, how to interpret your results and importantly, what about privacy and security issues. These and other questions you have will be answered by a panel of experienced DNA researchers using examples from their own research, at a talk and discussion session to be held via Zoom on Wednesday, 21st February, from 10.30am to 12 noon.

This session is open to both GSV members and non-members, at a charge of $10.

Book via the GSV website htps://dev.gsv.org.au. Click on Events (under Activities) and follow the link. Any issues with registering, please contact the GSV during office hours on +61 3 9662 4455.

Alan Rhodes
Maureen Trotter
Jenny Redman

Bookings now open for the General Public

Click here to register

The Genealogical Society of Victoria (GSV) and Family History Connections (FHC) are proud to present two full-day seminars delivered by Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt, two internationally renowned experts in Irish research from the Ulster Historical Foundation.

The seminars will be conducted on Sunday 18 February 2024 at the Docklands Library and Monday 19 February 2024 at the Blackburn RSL. Both seminar days are for in-person attendance only.

Pricing for members of the public:

• $110 for a single day or $180 to attend both days.
• Tea, coffee and water will be provided. Bring your own lunch

Venues:

• Library at the Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands
• Blackburn RSL, 2 Diggers Way, Blackburn

It is possible to catch public transport to both venues. Please consult the Public Transport Victoria website.

More information about the Ulster Historical Foundation may be found on their website: ancestryireland.com

Click here to register or call the GSV on +61 3 9662 4455.

The new year has arrived and we have a number of Zoom events to start the year. All events are open to all GSV Members. Login to the member’s Section, follow the links to the ‘All Events’ tab, select an event and register to obtain the Zoom invitation.

	GSV Library Open Saturday 13 January – 10.00 to 16.00 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 +61 3 9662 4455 (Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm) or through email at gsv@gsv.org.au.
	Family History Tips & Tools & The Good Oil 24 January – 10.30 to 12.00 Sources and Citations We are combining both meetings this month to examine the common topic of sources of information that we discover when researching our families. We will explore the various types of sources and how best to evaluate and cite them for record-keeping or publication purposes. There will be time to discuss examples and your queries.
	London & South-east Counties Discussion Circle 25 January – 10.30 to 12.00 Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire At the January and February meetings we will discuss the resources available to assist with family history research in the counties of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. We will also hear from members who are researching ancestors who lived in these counties.
	Victoria & Tasmania Discussion Circle 26 January – 10.30 to 12.00 On the beach – a great Australian tradition Share a photo (or two) of your ancestors on the beach and talk a little about them. Who are they? Can we guess where they are?
	New & Existing Member Orientation: Discovering the GSV and Our Resources 29 January – 10.30 to 12.00 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.

2024 Image by starline on Freepik

As a member of the Genealogical Society of Victoria, you’ve almost certainly discovered the wealth of the State Library of Victoria’s collections as well as those of the National Library of Australia. Perhaps you’ve whiled away many hours making discoveries on Trove. Did you know that a large proportion of these collections were built through legal deposit?

Legal deposit is a law which has been in place in Australia in various forms since the 19^th century.  It means that one copy of everything published electronically or in print is to be given to the National Library and the relevant state or territory library in which it was published. Legal deposit ensures that our published heritage is preserved for future generations, providing a diverse and inclusive picture of the nation, capturing what we are thinking, imagining, and writing about over time.

We’re reaching out to members of the Genealogical Society of Victoria to make sure that those of you who publish are aware of the opportunity to contribute to our national heritage through legal deposit.

Published means an item that is available to the public for sale or for free, for example if it is available to read through your society library. If your work was published in Australia, whether in print or electronically, you need to deposit a copy with the National Library and your state or territory library. Works that are self-published or published commercially are included. You don’t need to have an ISBN. If you, as an Australian, self-publish using an international service, your publication is still considered to have been published in Australia.

If you live in Victoria, and your publication fits the above description, you should deposit a copy with the National Library and the State Library of Victoria.  Deposits are accepted in print and electronic formats. Where both formats are available, we prefer electronic and we only require one copy.  Electronic deposit is easy, free, safe and fast through the National edeposit service (NED).  By depositing through NED publications will be available to both the National Library and the State Library of Victoria.

Find out more on the National Library of Australia Legal Deposit web page.

As Christmas approaches, the thoughts of many of us turn to giving – to our families and friends, to causes which are important to us and to worthy organisations with which we are involved.

We hope that the GSV fits into the second and third categories. Indeed, as a member you have demonstrated your interest.

The GSV provides valuable family research related services and helps preserve and protect family and social history for our members – and the wider community.

Behind the scenes, work continues to enhance our existing services and to develop new ways and means to expand them. We are striving to ensure we will be here, ready and able to help you long into the future.

A donation of any amount would be gratefully received. We would be enormously grateful, and it will make a difference.

Donations to GSV are tax-deductible. They can be made online through the Donate Now link on the GSV website homepage, or by calling the GSV (on +61 3 9662 4455) with your credit card details, or by a cheque in the mail (to Level 1, 10 Queen Street, Melbourne Victoria, 3000).

Please seriously consider a donation to the GSV this Christmas.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Safe 2024.

Seven events in seven days! There is a lot happening at the GSV in the next few weeks. Here are the next week’s offerings:

Saturday 18^th

International Settlers Discussion Circle 1-3pm (Zoom)

Special guest author and journalist Alek Schulha will speak about his book ‘Beneath the Shadows of Mount Molly Morgan: History and Stories of Greta Camp 1939-1960’. Alek’s book shares the stories of 130 people who passed through this army training camp turned migrant camp. Join in to hear how Alek has acknowledged and documented for future generations the contribution of these ‘New Australians’ to the cultural fabric of our country.

Tuesday 21^st

How to Research and Use Australian Marriage, Divorce and Bigamy Records 10:30-11:30 am (Zoom)

Rod Armstrong wowed the crowd earlier this year with his Australia Death Records presentation. It was an hour thick with recommended sources, overlooked resources and hints on how to use them. He’s back tackling the sources of marriage related records. Don’t miss this one.

British India Discussion Circle 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Zoom)

Part of this session will focus on discussing the BIDC’s program for 2024. Join in to have your say. Also hear from Mary-Ann about the Families in British India website and from Clare who will explain why you should read about the last Prince of Bengal.

Wednesday 22^nd

Family History Tips and Tools 10:30 am – 12 pm (Zoom)

The last session of FHTT for 2023 will focus on The National Archives (of the England, Wales and the United Kingdom, that is). Rebecca Landy will provide an overview of the archive’s holdings, help you navigate its website and encourage participants to share their hints to help you too make discoveries via this important source of historical records.

Thursday 23^rd

London and South-East Counties Discussion Circle 10:30 am – 12 pm (Zoom)
The River Lea has provided a boundary between territories since at least the Iron Age, but for Jenny Redman’s ancestors, and possibly yours too, it was the vehicle for transporting their trade goods to London. Join Jenny at 10:30 to hear their story, and learn about transportation and trade along this key English river.   

Irish Day in the Library   (In person, but fully booked)

Because this event is fully booked, this is simply a notification that the Library will be very busy on Thursday. Members and visitors are welcome to visit the Library, but should note it will be a hive of activity and not a place of quiet investigation on this occasion.

Friday 24^th

Vic Tas Discussion Circle 10:30 am – 12 pm (Zoom)

After a jam packed year, the Vic Tas Discussion Circle are also meeting for the last time for 2023. Join in on their celebratory quiz and, in particular, their agenda setting for 2024.

All events can be booked via the events page on the GSV website once members have logged in. If you are not a member but would like to join to attend some of these events, you can sign up here or call the GSV on +61 3 9662 4455 to join.

Researching Your Irish Family History Seminars

Bookings open on Tuesday 21 November

for GSV and FHC Members ONLY

Visit the GSV Event pages to register

The Genealogical Society of Victoria (GSV) and Family History Connections (FHC) are proud to present two full-day seminars delivered by Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt, two internationally renowned experts in Irish research from the Ulster Historical Foundation.

The seminars will be conducted on Sunday 18 February 2024 at the Docklands Library and Monday 19 February 2024 at the Blackburn RSL. Both seminar days are for in-person attendance only.

The programs are different each day but complement each other. The topics to be presented will include:

Bookings are essential. GSV Members should book through the GSV Events system

Pricing for GSV and FHC Members:

$90 for a single day or $150 to attend both days.

Tea, coffee and water will be provided. Bring your own lunch

Venues:

Library at the Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands

Blackburn RSL, 2 Diggers Way, Blackburn

It is possible to catch public transport to both venues. Please consult the Public Transport Victoria website.

Book to ensure your place at this exciting seminar program. More information about the Ulster Historical Foundation may be found on their website: ancestryireland.com