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• Ancestry Tips: Season Ticket July - December 2024

  • Start
    03 July 2024
  •  
  • End
    04 December 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    366

  Register

  Why not join Michelle Patient and her expert Ancestry guests on the first Wednesday each month for some tips, tricks and time for your questions on anything to do with the Ancestry website and the services it provides.

  The meeting dates covered by this ticket are: 3 July, 7 August, 4 September, 2 October, 6 November and 4 December.

  Are you struggling with a particular part of the Ancestry website? Is there a new feature or record set you would like to know more about? Questions for the Ancestry Tips session can be submitted in advance by clicking on this  link  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SAG_Ancestry_Tips_Advance_Question

   If you book part way through the season you will receive a link to the recordings of any sessions you have missed.

  Skill level: All     Presenter:  Michelle Patient (SAG member and Ancestry ProGenealogist contractor)

  
  

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• Expression of Interest to enrol in Diploma of Family Historical Studies (2025)

  • Start
    10 July 2024
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • End
    31 December 2024
  •  
    5:00 PM

  Register

  This is an expression of interest (EoI) only to assist us to gauge the level of demand for this course with applications due by 28 February 2025 for the next intake. Applications forms will be issued following registration to this EoI.

  Once a member has completed the Certificate in Genealogical Research they have the option to take their studies further by enrolling in our Diploma in Family Historical Studies. The Diploma has been running since 1974 and enrolment is open to any member who completes the Certificate course at a credit level of 75% or higher. Requirements for the Diploma are the completion of a thesis (20,000 words) and a written examination -for more information see: https://www.sag.org.au/StudyOnlineWithUs.

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• SAG Library Day

  • Start
    19 September 2024
  •  
  • End
    12 December 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    31 sessions

  The SAG Family History Research Centre & Library will is open on Tuesdays and Thursday each week, and the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 10.00am - 4.00pm.*

  Members are welcome to use the library as part of their membership. Non-members pay a day fee on arrival. 

  Bookings to use the Library are not required. 

  For more info visit our info page here.

  Contact the Library on (02) 9299 5151

  
  

  

  The SAG Family History Research Centre & Library is a community space where we connect with researchers in person and online. It is the heart of our research support service joining together our experienced volunteers and staff with members and the public.

  Our collection is a treasure trove of resources for family historians and genealogists to learn from! Our dedicated family history library collection contains the Society’s print and electronic items which cover both Australian and international material (especially England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland). Our diverse collection includes BDM indexes, biographies, cemetery transcriptions, burial registers, local histories, parish registers, published family histories, shipping records and more!

  We provide access to the major commercial sites such as Ancestry, FindMyPast, The Genealogist, MyHeritage, British Newspaper Archive, Discovery (National Archives UK), Biographical Database of Australia and much more. We also have more than 2,200 electronic databases covering both Australian and overseas topics.

  We are also an 'affiliate library' of FamilySearch and have increased access to digital collections. 

  
  

  * The Library is closed Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and public holidays except for organised events. Saturday dates do differ in January and December each year. 

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• In Search of...the Inheritance: understanding wills, probate and related records for family history

  • When
    23 November 2024
  •  
    1:00 PM - 5:30 PM
  • Location
    via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    317

  Register

  SAG's final virtual conference for 2024 is on the topic of wills, probates and related records. We will be looking at how these records can enhance your family history research. 

  Join us for the afternoon or register to receive the recording pack in the following week.

  Speakers include:

  • Dr Emily Vine from the University of Exeter discussing a project she is working on titled "The Material Culture of Wills, England 1540-1790"
  • Michael Flynn detailing the resources available on the Biographical Database of Australia for researching Will and Probate records
  • Sarah Pettyfer presenting on using the UK Chancery Court records for family history research
  • Andrew Redfern will present some case studies from Probate Packets at MHNSW
  • Daniel Horowitz from MyHeritage will present a case study related to using Will, Probate and death related records.
  • Vanessa Cassin discussing her recent thesis on Wills and Probate records for family history completed as part of the SAG's Diploma in Family Historical Studies program

  Click here to view the program.

  
  

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• Let's Talk About...Family Reunions

  • When
    25 November 2024
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    444

  Register

  

  Join our panel as we talk about experiences in organising in-person or virtual family reunions! We are going to be joined by representatives from the Mary Wade family history association, Dr Tony Smith, Acres-Guy descendant talking about their recent event, and Jennifer McLaughlin-Doherty from Irish Ancestral Tours and Research.

  Do you have a question you are desperate to have answered? Why not submit it in advance. Click on the link to send us your question now https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SAG-Talk-about-question
  

  NOTE: We will try to answer all advance questions that are submitted, however, at times the volume of questions received means this is not possible.

  Please note: Members will need to be logged into the website to register.

  This is an online session using the ZOOM platform.

  This webinar will be recorded, so you can either watch it live or watch it later.

  
  

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• 2024 February Certificate Online Exam - 10:00AM Start

  • When
    26 November 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM

  Register

  
  

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• Family History Connect | Analysing your BigY700 Results

  • When
    26 November 2024
  •  
    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    1

  Registration is closed

  Family History Connect | Understanding your BigY700 Results - What is it telling you and what do you do next?

  Our 'members-only' series, Family History Connect, feature themed sessions focusing on particular areas of genealogical research.

  Sessions are generally facilitated by one of the Society’s wonderful volunteers and will take place in-person however this particular session will be held online via Zoom. These sessions are open to all current members of the Society. 

  This session of Family History Connect | Understanding your BigY700  will be offered online via Zoom and facilitated by Society volunteer, Chris Hingerty. Limit of 5 participants. 

  By agreeing to be part of this session, you are aware that:
  

  • Participants will be asked to have a pre-session discussion with the facilitator by 7 Nov. 
  • This session is open to people who have already received their  BigY700 DNA test results, and want to discuss what the results are telling them and what to do next to achieve their research goals.
  • All participants must be prepared to share and discuss their results with the group.
  • Participants do not need to know how to read or analyse their results as this will be demonstrated during the session. 
  • There will be instructions at the session re how to log on to FTDNA, locate your results and how to share the screen on Zoom.
  • Participants will introduce themselves by responding to the following questions: Who did you test? What research question are you trying to answer i.e. why test?

  
  Please note that, due to privacy concerns, no recordings or screen shots can be taken during the session.
  

  Participants are strongly encouraged to view the recording available in the Members Area, Webinar Library, Using Y-DNA to Assist Your Research 23 Sep 2023 prior to the session, in order to benefit from and be able to contribute to the discussion.

  You can view other sessions in the Family History Connect series here.

  This is a members only event. Bookings are essential for this session. Please note this session will not be recorded. 

  

  If you would like to participate in an in-person session in Sydney in 2025, please let us know via this link. 
  

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• ONLINE: Virtual Library Session (26 November 2024)

  • When
    26 November 2024
  •  
    2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    9

  Register

  

  ASK THE LIBRARIAN!

  Have you ever wondered what's inside the SAG library collection? Have you ever been uncertain on what to search for in the online catalogue?  What questions do you have about the library?

  The virtual library session is an opportunity to ask these questions and more to the SAG Librarian (Karlie Frelingos). If you have ever wondered about types of materials we have in the library or how to use the library catalogue this might be the session for you!

  This session will be online via zoom at 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Tuesday 26th of November.  

  
  

  
  

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• GROUP: Scottish Research Group

  • When
    26 November 2024
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    449

  Register

  

  We are delighted that Lorna Steele-McGinn from the High Life Highland will be joining us from Scotland to talk about the Jacobite Risings through documents held by the Highland Archive Service.

  1688 saw the birth of James Francis Edward Stuart, son of King James VII & II and Mary of Modena. This seemingly innocuous event would catapult the Highlands of Scotland, and the rest of the British Isles, into more than 50 years of religious, political, and societal upheaval, culminating in the brutal Battle of Culloden in 1746. Few other events have shaped Scotland, and the image of Scotland, as profoundly as the Jacobite Risings and the impact of the conflict, and its subsequent romanticisation, continue to leave a legacy.

  John Macpherson will give us a talk on 'British Army Regiments - Names or Numbers' which will be a short ramble through the numerous reviews of the British Army (of course, of which many were Scottish Regiments). This will be useful for researchers with any ancestor in one of the UK Army Regiments.

  Bronwyn MacLeod will give us a County Presentation on Inverness-shire with a particular emphasis on Glencoe, Fort William, Isle of Skye and Inverness as there are Family History centres in these places. All source information will be available to everyone who books for the session.

  Prepare any questions you may have as there should be plenty of time during the meeting to ask the presenters. 

  
  

  Skill level:  All, beginners welcome    

  Leads: Diana Pecar, Elizabeth Gordon and Sally Skulte

  
  

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• 2024 February Certificate Online Exam - 7:00PM Start

  • When
    26 November 2024
  •  
    7:00 PM

  Register

  
  

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• GROUP: AI & IT Special Interest Group

  • When
    27 November 2024
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    453

  Register

  

  Are you wanting to learn about some of the latest technology tools and AI approaches for Family History?  Wanting some tips and tricks for using different software? Join our bi-monthly AI & IT Special Interest Group Meetings.

  Each session is made of a combination of these different segments (in order to try and encourage participation and sharing). These sessions are designed to be member driven so if you have something to share or a topic to be covered, please put it forward.  Any content e.g. AI, software, hardware, tools etc. can be slotted into these broad categories.

  • Latest Updates - Developments in AI, software and hardware
  • News and Views - Opinions, discussion points, recommended software/hardware
  • Quick Tips - 3 minutes or less
  • Show & Tell - like at school - share something you've done with AI or Tech
  • In Depth Focus - longer demonstration of tools, software
  • Helpdesk - problems and support, suggestions

  
  

  Skill level: All

  Group Leads: Andrew Redfern, Yvonne Masters, Sandy Pullen and Maureen Trotter 

  
  

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• GROUP: Caribbean Research Group

  • When
    30 November 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    494

  Register

  Topic: TBA

  Calling all SAG members and friends with Caribbean ancestry or interests! After a bit of a hiatus we are looking to restart our Caribbean Research Interest Group.

  Join guest facilitator Sally Byatt and SAG Education Manager Vanessa Cassin as we discuss all things Caribbean.

  Everyone is welcome to attend and, as SAG Research Groups are collaborative, we ask that all attendees please help their fellow researchers by offering suggestions of how to progress their research or simply share any resources you may be aware of which may help. 

  
  

  Meeting Leads: Sally Byatt and Vanessa Cassin

  Skill level: All

  This group meeting is being held online and will be recorded for those who are unable to attend live.
  

  Image courtesy of Unsplash
  

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• WEBINAR: Introduction to DNA Painter

  • When
    30 November 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    480

  Register

  This is an introductory session that will explain what chromosome mapping is and why mapping our DNA segments can benefit our DNA research and help us piece together our family tree. The session will specifically look at how we can use the DNA Painter (https://dnapainter.com/) website to assist with this process.

  We’ll look at downloading DNA data and uploading this data into DNA Painter and start ‘painting’ our chromosomes. We’ll also spend some time looking at interpreting the results and there will also be plenty of time for questions.

  This is a stand-alone session to help new users understand and benefit from ‘chromosome painting’ with DNA Painter.

  This is an online session using the ZOOM platform.

  Skill level: Beginner users of DNA Painter, understanding of the basic principles of using DNA for genealogy would be beneficial.

  Presenter: Melissa Hulbert

  
  

  

  Where an event is recorded the recording link will be emailed to registrants within five working days of the live presentation. 

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

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• Family History Connect | The cause of death was...

  • When
    03 December 2024
  •  
    2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    123

  Register

  

  Family History Connect | The cause of death was...

  Our 'members-only' series, Family History Connect, feature themed sessions focusing on particular areas of genealogical research.

  Sessions are generally facilitated by one of the Society’s wonderful volunteers and this session will take place online.  These sessions are open to all current members of the Society. 

  

  The cause of death was …

  Join Patrice Connelly for another webinar, this time looking at causes of death and the strange terms given on the certificates. Did your ancestor die of debility, anasarca, hydrothorax, dropsy, mortification, pigeon fancier’s lung, ague, hydrophobia, bloody flux or an Act of God?

  What were some of the unexpected causes of death for you to consider? And what does the cause of death tell you about your ancestor’s lifestyle?

  Did they die from diabetes caused by the new fad for having as much sugar as possible, or from peritonitis caused by chronic constipation? This is Part 1 with occupational diseases coming in Part 2.

  This is a members only event that will take place via Zoom.
  

  Bookings are essential for this session.

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• FREE WEBINAR: Improve your source citing skills

  • When
    03 December 2024
  •  
    6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    475

  Register

  The Source Citations Group is a new members-only research group that the Society is introducing to provide ongoing support to those who want to improve their skills in citing sources. Come along to this free session for an overview of the topic and to find out how the group could benefit your research.   

  

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• GROUP: DNA Research Group - Tools in Practice

  • When
    07 December 2024
  •  
    10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    483

  Register

  Topic: Working with FamilyTreeDNA tools

  This session will explore the various tools available on the FamilyTreeDNA site for use with autosomal, Y-DNA and mtDNA. Members of the DNA Research Group will demonstrate how they are using the tools to enhance their research. Any Member who has a tool they would like to demonstrate should contact the convenors at least 7 days prior to the session.

  The DNA Research Group - Tools in Practice is a collaborative group designed to assist researchers with the analysis and interpretation of genetic genealogy results. 

  The group is designed to meet the needs of attendees with an intermediate level of knowledge of genetic genealogy.

  Group Leads: Veronica Williams and Danielle Lautrec

  
  

  This session will be held online via the Zoom platform.

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• GROUP: DNA Research Discussion Group

  • When
    07 December 2024
  •  
    1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    489

  Register

  

  Topic: Y-DNA case studies

  This session is a facilitated discussion session which will

  a) Examine and discuss several Y-DNA examples to assess results and explore ideas for further research.

  b) Provide an opportunity for members to ask questions about the analysis and use of YDNA results.

  Information and discussion questions will be distributed before the meeting. It requires pre-work by participants with all expected to contribute to the discussion.

  In the first part of the session, we will take a look at case studies which will highlight the interpretation of results (STR and BigY700), most particularly in relation to matches, haplogroups and genetic trees.

  This section of the session will be recorded.

  The second part of the session will be a facilitated round table Q&A session.

  This section of the session will NOT be recorded and could be thought of as "Everything you ever wanted to know about YDNA testing but were afraid/never got around to ask”.....

  Questions could include (but not limited to) the following:

  - I just don't get...,

  - How can I use ........(from my results to assist my research?

  - I have heard/seen the following.... What does that mean?

  - I have the following genealogy mystery/dilemma/brick wall...Should I test? Who?

  - Should I upgrade?

  - I would like to know more about.....

  - Questions relating to the case studies presented.

  It is preferred that questions be submitted prior to the session. Questions can be accompanied by slides.

  Contact details for submitting advance questions for the meeting will be included in the confirmation email you receive after registering.

   Facilitator: Sharon Watson

  Presenter: Christine Hingerty

  Group Leads: Veronica Williams and Danielle Lautrec

  Please note: The topics and tools discussed at this group are pitched at an advanced level and the Research Discussion Group meetings are not recommended for those just beginning their DNA journey.

  
  

  
  

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• ONLINE: Virtual Library Session (10 December 2024)

  • When
    10 December 2024
  •  
    2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    15

  Register

  

  ASK THE LIBRARIAN!

  Have you ever wondered what's inside the SAG library collection? Have you ever been uncertain on what to search for in the online catalogue?  What questions do you have about the library?

  The virtual library session is an opportunity to ask these questions and more to the SAG Librarian (Karlie Frelingos). If you have ever wondered about types of materials we have in the library or how to use the library catalogue this might be the session for you!

  This session will be online via zoom at 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Tuesday 10th of December.  

  
  

  
  

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• WEBINAR: The Future of Cemeteries

  • When
    11 December 2024
  •  
    7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    478

  Register

  As family historians we know the value of cemeteries and memorial parks to our research. We are all concerned for the future of these places where our ancestors rest.

  Join us for an insightful webinar on the future of memorial parks, where we will explore critical issues shaping these spaces, delving into the importance of placemaking, death literacy and sustainability initiatives, to ensure that memorial parks remain relevant and valued community assets.

  Presented in collaboration with Metropolitan Memorial Parks. 

   

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• GROUP: The Writing Group December Meeting

  • When
    12 December 2024
  •  
    10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    191

  Register

  The Writing Group

  Are you interested in writing about your family history but need a bit more motivation or encouragement? 

  Come along to The Writing Group and work on your writing skills in a fun and supportive atmosphere. The group meets via Zoom on the second Thursday of each month and has a varied program of activities and speakers designed to help you progress your project/s - whatever style of writing you are interested in!
  

  In addition to the group meetings there is an optional forum utilising the Basecamp website where group attendees can discuss writing projects and share ideas between meetings. 
  

  Come and join us, new attendees are always welcome.

  Skill Level: All    

  Group Leads: Elizabeth Capelin & Emily Purser

  
  

  Each session will be recorded so you can join live or watch the recording later.

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