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• GROUP: Source Citations Group

  • Start
    06 January 2025
  •  
    12:00 AM
  • End
    30 June 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    430

  Register

  NOTE: This group runs differently to SAG's other groups. Registration of this group is for the first half of the year (to 30 June 2025).

  This group will only have one scheduled online meeting (held on 18 Jan & recorded). Continuing activity will be via the free Basecamp platform.  This platform allows members to complete activities, post questions to the leads and intereact with other group members. If you do not wish to have a free account on Basecamp you will not be able to participate in the mentoring and activities.

  You can read more about Basecamp here: https://basecamp.com/

  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.

  Membership of this group will be $15 for the first half of the year (to 30 June). Members will receive:

  • One 2 hour live workshop, held on 18 January 2025 at 10am AEDT and also recorded.
  • Membership of Basecamp group that includes:
  • • Chat section, ask questions, monitored by 2-4 ‘mentors’
    • Files – examples, guides, templates etc
    • Recordings of short sessions, e.g. citations in FTM, citations in Legacy, Cite-Builder
    • Other resources such as information about tools and websites
    • Exercises to practice on

  To assist our mentors to prepare for the group we would appreciate it if you could take 5 minutes to complete a very short survey about your previous experience/learning about citations. The survey can by accessed by clicking on the below link.

  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CitationsGp
  

  
  

  Group Mentors: Danielle Lautrec, Jennie Fairs & Lyn Hudson-Williamson

  
  

  
  

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• SAG Library Day (10am - 4pm)

  • Start
    14 January 2025
  •  
  • End
    01 April 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    28 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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• Friday Hang Out with the SAG 2025

  • Start
    24 January 2025
  •  
  • End
    05 December 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    44 sessions
  • Location
    Via Zoom

  Register

  See www.sag.org.au/HangOut for full details including Zoom link and topics (registration is available but not required to join sessions).

  Join us for the free virtual Hang Out with SAG, most Fridays at 4pm AEDT/AEST, where we would like to hear from you alongside a range of speakers tell stories of their family history research and much more.

  We set up these events to hear from our community, how members are doing with their research through sharing their stories. We look to members each week to provide short form talks which can be 1-5 minutes, 5-10 minutes, or less, of their research findings.  

  You can show PowerPoint slides, a website, hold up a photo or object, or just talk - your choice! Email us at admin@sag.org.au with any queries and we can always do a quick Zoom tutorial if you need. 

  If you would like to suggest topics or host a session just let us know!
  

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• 2025 February Certificate in Genealogical Research - Enrolment

  • Start
    03 February 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • End
    31 December 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Registration is closed

  The Society's Certificate in Genealogical Research is designed for those with more than three years family history research experience and who have gained at least some elementary research skills and a broad, even if basic, knowledge of resources available. To complete the assessments, you are expected to extend your research beyond what can be found on the internet and to use local libraries and family history society collections, either in-person or remotely where possible. 

  The course consists of 8 assignments plus an online exam undertaken across a year. For each assignment you will be given the outline of what is required, together with some guidance to consider in preparing your submission. The assignments have been carefully selected to reflect the sorts of skills needed by genealogists and the course is essentially practical exercises in self-directed learning from experience.

  More details about the program, including 2025 cohort due dates and FAQ can be found by clicking on the link below.

  SAG Certificate in Genealogical Research 2025 cohorts.pdf

  The induction webinar to be held on 3 February at 7pm AEDT will be recorded, so you can either watch it live or watch it later.

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• Let's Talk About...Crafting for Family History

  • When
    24 February 2025
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    428

  Register

  Join our panel as we talk about crafting for family history! We will be hearing from Melissa Haithwaite from Creative Memories, alongside members Michelle Patient and Rhonda Tyne about their favourite craft projects and how they have seen families represented.

  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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• FirstLook@ webinar series: Navigating family history databases and archives - Part 1

  • When
    26 February 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    5

  Register

  Join us for a practical, beginner-friendly webinar series under the banner of FirstLook@, where we’ll guide you through the essential steps to navigate online platforms and make the most of their features.

  In this series, you will find out about:

  • A general overview of the platform or archive
  • Types of records available for searching
  • Understanding opportunities for collaboration or not
  • Performing both basic and advanced searches to uncover records
  • And much more, including tips for effective research, and the differences between free and paid subscriptions

  26 February: This session will provide a FirstLook@ records from the National Archives of Australia and The National Archives of the United Kingdom

  12 March: This session will provide a FirstLook@ records from ScotlandsPeople and IrishGenealogy.ie

  26 March: This session will provide a FirstLook@ records from FamilySearch and the features of WikiTree

  Skill level: Beginner

  
  

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• WEBINAR: Understanding Y DNA Webinar Series (Three sessions)

  • Start
    26 February 2025
  •  
  • End
    09 July 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    465

  Register

  Join SAG Board Member, Chris Hingerty for a series of three  x 1.5 hour webinars focussing on understanding and using Y DNA test results.

  Webinar 1 - First Look at YDNA

  26 Feb 2025

  What is YDNA?

  What can it tell you about your direct patrilineal line/s?

  What tests are available?

  What do the results look like?

  Who should you test and why?

  How can YDNA testing help you with your genealogical questions/brick walls?

  
  

  Webinar 2 - Using STR Results to Assist your Family History Research

  13 Mar 2025

  Are you new to YDNA testing?

  
  

  Do you have results you need help interpreting?

  
  

  This presentation will explore the following:

  
  

  How can STR YDNA testing (Y37, Y111) assist you with your genealogical questions/brick walls?

  
  

  What tests are available ?

  
  

  Which test is best suited to your needs?

  
  

  Who should you test?

  
  

  What do the results look like and what can they tell you about your direct patrilineal line/s?

  
  

  This presentation will build on the concepts introduced in “First Look at YDNA” (26 February) and will include real life case studies. 

  
  

  Webinar 3 - Using BigY700 Results to Assist your Family History Research

  
  

  9 Jul 2025

  This presentation will explore the following:

  How can a BigY-700 YDNA test assist you with your genealogical questions/brick walls?

  What genealogical questions can it help you answer?

  Who should you test?

  What do the SNP results look like and what can they tell you about your direct patrilineal line/s?

  This presentation will build on the concepts introduced in “First Look at YDNA” (26 February), “Using STR Results to Assist your Family History Research” (13 March) and will include real life case studies.

  
  

  Please note: You can register at any point in this series. You will receive the recording of any webinars that have already been held live at the time you register.

  Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• ONLINE: Virtual Library Session (27th February 2025)

  • When
    27 February 2025
  •  
    2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    12

  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 the SAG Librarian (Karlie Frelingos) these questions and more. If you have ever wondered about the 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 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm, Tuesday 27th of February.  

  
  

  
  

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• FirstLook@ webinar series: Navigating family history databases and archives - Part 2

  • When
    12 March 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    39

  Register

  Join us for a practical, beginner-friendly webinar series under the banner of FirstLook@, where we’ll guide you through the essential steps to navigate online platforms and make the most of their features.

  In this series, you will find out about:

  • A general overview of the platform or archive
  • Types of records available for searching
  • Understanding opportunities for collaboration or not
  • Performing both basic and advanced searches to uncover records
  • And much more, including tips for effective research, and the differences between free and paid subscriptions

  26 February: This session will provide a FirstLook@ records from the National Archives of Australia and The National Archives of the United Kingdom

  12 March: This session will provide a FirstLook@ records from ScotlandsPeople and IrishGenealogy.ie

  26 March: This session will provide a FirstLook@ records from FamilySearch and WikiTree

  
  

  Skill level: Beginner

  
  

  Show details
• GROUP: Irish Research Group

  • When
    12 March 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    436

  Register

  

  Please join us at the March meeting for three presentations by SAG members: 

  Rebels without a cause: the Telicherry Five in exile. Inspired by rebellion in the north in 1798, Michael Dwyer, a farmer from County Wicklow, led a group of rebels in Ireland’s south to hold out spectacularly against British forces until December 1803, when the arrest of their wives and families led them to surrender on terms. Terms that allowed Dwyer and his four fellow rebels, Hugh ‘Vestey’ Byrne, Martin Burke, Arthur Devlin and John Mernagh, to escape execution by going into permanent exile as free men. Arriving in Sydney aboard the Telicherry in 1806, they became known as the Telicherry Five. Considered by some to be the most dangerous men in the colony, they were free men with neighbouring land grants at Cabramatta and excess baggage to burn. So, what happened next? In this commemorative two-hundredth year since the death of her fourth great-grandfather, Michael Dwyer, Julie Coulton will shed light upon the individual fates of these five Irish political revolutionaries in Australian exile. 

  Ireland X0:  Victoria Mail will present on her experience with Ireland XO (Ireland Reaching Out), walking in the footsteps of her ancestors in Cashel, Tipperary.
  

  Elizabethan Fiants of Ireland: Chris Hingerty, lead of the SAG Genetic Genealogy Advisory Group and Member of the DNA Research Group, will take us through The Fiants of Elizabeth the First, an important administrative source for knowledge of both Gaelic and English communities in Ireland (1521-1603).

  Skill level: All

       Group Leads: Kathleen Hackett & Sally Skulte

  Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

  
  

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• GROUP: The Writing Group March Meeting

  • When
    13 March 2025
  •  
    10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    182

  Register

  

  About 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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• WORKSHOP: Introduction to Writing Family History Workshop with Dr Betty O'Neill

  • When
    14 March 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    online via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    13

  Register

  ONLINE WORKSHOP

  Unlock the stories of your past in this inspiring one-day workshop designed to help you transform family history research into captivating narratives. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to refine your writing, this hands-on session will give you the tools to bring your ancestors’ lives to life on the page.

  Guided by published author, well-known family historian and creative writing teacher Dr Betty O’Neill, you’ll learn how to craft compelling stories from genealogical research, oral histories, and family legends. Discover techniques to create vivid scenes, develop memorable characters, and weave historical context seamlessly into your writing. Through guided exercises you’ll leave with newfound confidence and a roadmap to continue your family history project.

  Held in a welcoming, collaborative environment, this workshop is perfect for those who want to preserve family legacies, connect with loved ones through storytelling, or explore the richness of their heritage. You’ll also meet like-minded individuals, share ideas, and gain inspiration from their journeys.

  No prior writing experience is necessary—just bring your curiosity, any family research and materials you'd like to reference, and a passion for preserving the past. Let us help you turn your family history into a lasting treasure for generations to come.

  Spaces are limited—book your spot today!

  The workshop will be limited to 16 participants.

  Registrations close Wednesday 12 March 2025.

  
  

  To read SAG's Refund Policy for event registrations please click here

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• LECTURE: Beginners' Introduction to DNA

  • When
    15 March 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Level 2, 379 Kent Street, Sydney
  • Spaces left
    27

  Register

  This is an in person event at the SAG Family History Research Centre & Library. 

  Online sessions of this presentation will be available on other dates in 2025.

  Receiving your DNA test results is an exciting time but it can quickly become confusing. This session will look at the different types of tests available, which one is right for you and which companies do these tests. We will look at some basics to help you understand and interpret your matches and there will be plenty of time for questions so you can start finding those new cousins!

   Skill level: Beginners

  Presenter: Melissa Hulbert 

    

  
  

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• GROUP: Chinese Australian Research Interest Group

  • When
    15 March 2025
  •  
    3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    496

  Register

  

  Come along and join us as we research our Chinese Australian ancestors in a collaborative, friendly and engaging research group. Make sure you have your questions ready and also be ready to assist others if you are able to as this is the basis of what all SAG Groups are about - people helping other people with ideas and suggestions about their family research. 
  

  Skill level:  All, beginners welcome    

  Leads: Hilda Maclean

  
  

  Photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash
  

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• Family History Connect | The Irish Archaeological Societies

  • When
    18 March 2025
  •  
    2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    93

  Register

  

  Family History Connect | The Irish Archaeological Societies

  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 Irish Archaeological Societies

  There are many genealogical resources in several series of journals published in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries in Ireland. Many of these are available on Internet Archive and copies are also in the SAG Library. Patrice Connelly will be your tour guide around Ireland as she visits societies in Kildare, Louth, Waterford and elsewhere to show you not only the genealogies, but also how the various types of histories – social, antiquarian, topographical and others – can enliven your genealogy research. There are a number of similar society journals published in Britain as well, so you can use the same techniques to visit those.

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

  Bookings are essential for this session.

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• GROUP: Genealogical DNA Analysis Tool (GDAT) User Group

  • When
    22 March 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    47

  Register

  Genealogical DNA Analysis Tool (GDAT) User Group

  If you already have DNA chromosome analysis skills and are using the GDAT database tool to manage your DNA information, you might wish to join our new user group.  SAG user groups are aimed at ‘members helping members’ so this is a collaborative working group aimed at sharing information and knowledge.  You must be a SAG member to join this group.

  Sessions will include a short presentation on a specified topic identified by the group, followed by discussion between group members, then round table Q&A regarding the product.  We will meet on Saturdays at 11.00-13.00 using the Zoom platform.  We won’t be recording the sessions, so you must attend live.

  Important things to note:

  1. Discussion will be focused on utilising the GDAT software for DNA analysis;
  2. Members must have an understanding of the principles of chromosome analysis before joining the group;
  3. Chromosome analysis questions WILL NOT be discussed, except in the context of using the GDAT product.

  Pre-requisite Knowledge for using GDAT:

  1. Be computer literate;
  2. Have the ability to work with spreadsheets and large data sets;
  3. Have been working with DNA results at GEDmatch, FamilyTree DNA, My Heritage, or 23andMe for over 12 months;
  4. Understand the concepts of chromosome analysis and can apply them in practice, in particular:
     1. Be able to differentiate between shared matches and shared segments;
     2. Be able to interpret when matches are ICW on a segment;
     3. Understand triangulation concepts and how to identify Triangulated Groups at each DNA site.

  Before joining our user group, it is best if you have already:

  * Watched the video and undertaken all the tasks in the Quick Start Guide (Setting up) - https://sites.google.com/view/genealogical-dna-analysis-tool/home/video-tutorials#h.t5ehfiqzxea3

  * Read how the developer (Becky) approaches her DNA analysis, recognising the tool allows for multiple variations - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iO5BceetmtucroYUJeyWsMSjslV4IQYH/view

  * Set up at least one profile, added a pedigree for that profile and have uploaded segment data from at least one DNA company, such as GEDmatch, FTDNA, 23&Me or My Heritage.  GEDmatch is probably the easiest to start with, utilising Tier 1 tools is recommended for the triangulation report  (but not essential).

  Any issues arising consult the user guide

  https://www.getgdat.com/home
  

  If it's not covered in the user guide submit the question for discussion at the next meeting by posting in the SAG GDAT User Group, or if the enquiry is more urgent utilise the Facebook GDAT User group https://www.facebook.com/groups/dnatool

  
  Skill level: Advanced DNA knowledge    

  Group Lead: Veronica Williams

   This session will not be recorded. Please only register if you are able to attend at the advertised time.
  

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• GROUP: AI & IT Special Interest Group

  • When
    26 March 2025
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    465

  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: DNA Research Group - Tools in Practice

  • When
    29 March 2025
  •  
    10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    479

  Register

  Topic: Working with Artificial Intelligence for DNA Research

  This session will briefly outline the various AI Platforms that members are finding useful in increasing their productivity for their DNA research. Members of the DNA Research Group will demonstrate some routine activities they have been able to automate through the use of these tools. Any Member who has a tool they would like to demonstrate should contact the convenors at least 7-14 days prior the session. Following the session we aim to share these tools by creating a SAG library of custom GPT’s (ChatGPT) or artefacts (Claude) for use by society members. 

  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

  
  

  NOTE: We will confirm soon whether this session will be recorded or not

  Show details
• GROUP: DNA Research Discussion Group

  • When
    29 March 2025
  •  
    1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    490

  Register

  

  Topic: What repetitive DNA tasks could be replaced by AI tools to help us increase our productivity?          

  Facilitator: Sharon Watson

  Group Leads: Veronica Williams and Danielle Lautrec

  This session is a facilitated discussion session which seeks to identify a list of manual repetitive tasks members would find useful in improving their research productivity and ranking them in terms of priority. The session will also seek volunteers to work in small groups to progress the development of the identified tools with the view to adding them to the SAG shared library of AI DNA tools. Information and discussion questions will be distributed before the meeting, it requires pre-work by participants with all attendees expected to contribute to the discussion.

  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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• COURSE: Beginners Practical Introduction to Family History

  • Start
    03 April 2025
  •  
  • End
    22 May 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    7 sessions
  • Location
    via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    36

  Register

  Seven Part Online Course

  Would you like to investigate your family history but have no idea where to start or have you previously signed up to an online platform but felt overwhelmed by all the information available?

  The Society of Australian Genealogists, Australia’s oldest family history society, is excited to again offer our seven part online course “Beginners Practical Introduction to Family History.”

  Over the course of seven sessions (two hours per session) you will learn about:

  • Key tools - family history software platforms, file organisation, research plans
  • Traditional records (document based) research – types of records, locating records
  • Electronic databases – Ancestry, FamilySearch, MyHeritage, Findmypast and more
  • Using maps in family history research
  • Other resources such as Family History Societies, online forums and education options
  • Introduction to DNA research including legal and ethical considerations
  • Various ways to chart, share and publish your findings, including privacy and copyright concerns

  While the course will focus on records available in Australia, North America, the United Kingdom and Ireland we will also touch on locating records in other countries and the skills you will learn can be applied to researching ancestors from anywhere in the world.

  All sessions in this course will be recorded. If you are unable to attend live you will still be able to catch up with all the content.

  Lead Presenter: Vanessa Cassin, SAG Education Manager

  Skill Level: Beginner

  To read SAG's Refund Policy for event registrations please click here
  

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• GROUP: Scottish Research Group

  • When
    05 April 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    495

  Register

  Come along and join us as we research our Scottish ancestors in a collaborative, friendly and engaging research group. Make sure you have your questions ready and also be ready to assist others if you are able to as this is the basis of what all SAG Groups are about - people helping other people with ideas and suggestions about their family research.

  Skill level:  All, beginners welcome    

  Leads: Diana Pecar, Elizabeth Gordon and Sally Skulte

  

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• GROUP: Aotearoa New Zealand Research Group

  • When
    05 April 2025
  •  
    12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    496

  Register

  Topic: Tying the Knot: Tracing Marriage Records in New Zealand

  Where can you find marriage records in New Zealand and how can these help with your research? This session will focus on key sources such as Civil Registration, Church Records, Archives, including Intentions to Marry, and PapersPast along with other sources. We will also look at some of the wedding fashions of the 19th and 20th centuries.

  We would love attendees to contribute to this meeting by  sharing stories or showing any photographs, heirlooms or other ephemera they may own related to their ancestors weddings in New Zealand (remember to only show photographs of people who or no longer living or with the explicit permission of anyone who is still alive).

  If anyone has a marriage/wedding story or photographs they would like to share please email admin@sag.org.au. Please put 'April Aotearoa NZ Group meeting' in the subject line of the email so we can have advance notice of those with things to share.

  
  

  Skill level: All    

  Convenor: Pauline Weeks

  
  

  Show details
• GROUP: Colonial Australia Research Group

  • When
    05 April 2025
  •  
    3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    489

  Register

  Topic: Girt by Sea

  19 March 2025 marks 230 years since the wrecking of HMS Sirius off Norfolk Island.

  This event was a huge blow to the starving colony and underlined the critical importance of shipping to the colony’s survival. The colony struggled and survived but remained dependent on shipping.

  Shipping brought convicts and settlers, food and goods and included coastal passenger and river shipping, boat building - nothing was done without it.

  At our first meeting in 2025 we’re exploring this essential facet of colonial settlement. Come join us and hear about the land that is ‘girt by sea’.

  Skill level: All

  Group Leads: Lorraine Luks, Kristine Newton, Sharon Shelley and Andrew Redfern

  This is an online session using the Zoom platform.
  

  
  

  Show details
• WEBINAR: Wikitree Workshop

  • When
    09 April 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    497

  Register

  Wikitree is collaborative family tree site, where genealogists collaborate.  Best of all it's free!  In 2023, Wikitree and SAG collaborated as partners in the Wikitree '7 in 7' challenge and since then many have joined our Super Aussie Genies (SAG) team in challenges and ‘thons’.

  • Have you joined Wikitree, but are confused about how it works and want to know more?
  • Did you hear about various challenges and thons but don't understand how to contribute?
  • Do you understand the basics, but want to be more productive by utilising tools that reduce the amount of typing and make the job of adding sources and building biographies easier?
  • Are you disappointed with how your profiles look and want to get tips and ideas about how to improve them?

  Join Veronica Williams and Danielle Lautrec for this collaborative workshop, where we will work together on editing and improving profiles on Wikitree.

  Ideally, to get the most from this workshop participants should have:

  • Joined Wikitree and signed the honour code - so they can edit profiles;
  • Added 2 Wikitree applications to their browser
  • • Wikitree Browser Extension - Chrome and Firefox
    • Wikitree Sourcer -  Chrome, Opera, Brave, Edge, Vivaldi, Firefox, Safari (Mac - via App Store)

  If you want to know more about Wikitree you can:

  • Access the Wikitree Help pages, How to use Wikitree, Wikitree tutorials, Australian Sources and Citations; and/or
  • Contact the shop for details of previous SAG webinars run by Veronica Williams and Danielle Lautrec.

  Prior to the session we will distribute a survey for participants to complete so that we can target the session to the needs of the group. Depending on responses some of the session may be split into two groups. We encourage participants to contribute the URL of at least one profile on Wikitree they would like to improve (born before 1900). 

  Presenters: Veronica Williams & Danielle Lautrec

  
  

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• GROUP: The Writing Group April Meeting

  • When
    10 April 2025
  •  
    10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    196

  Register

  

  About 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.

  Show details
• GROUP: The Writing Group May Meeting

  • When
    08 May 2025
  •  
    10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    196

  Register

  

  About 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.

  Show details
• WEBINAR: First Look at AncestryDNA

  • When
    21 June 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    25

  Register

  

  This session is ideal for people who are starting to work with their AncestryDNA test results. We’ll cover the reporting features for testers who don’t have an Ancestry subscription and then the additional features that come with subscriptions. Christine will share her "Top 10" techniques for working with AncestryDNA.

  Demonstrations and case studies will be featured in the session. There'll be plenty of time for questions. Reference material will be available after the session.

  Participants should have an understanding of the different types of DNA tests and how they can be used. This is covered in Beginners’ Introduction to DNA. When you register, we’ll send you a link to a pre-recorded webinar if you’d like a refresh.

  This session is limited to 25 participants.

  
  

  Skill level: Beginner

  Presenter: Christine Woodlands 

  Show details
• 2025 August Certificate in Genealogical Research - Enrolment

  • Start
    05 August 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • End
    31 August 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Register

  The Society's Certificate in Genealogical Research is designed for those with more than three years family history research experience and who have gained at least some elementary research skills and a broad, even if basic, knowledge of resources available. To complete the assessments, you are expected to extend your research beyond what can be found on the internet and to use local libraries and family history society collections, either in-person or remotely where possible. 

  The course consists of 8 assignments plus an online exam undertaken across a year. For each assignment you will be given the outline of what is required, together with some guidance to consider in preparing your submission. The assignments have been carefully selected to reflect the sorts of skills needed by genealogists and the course is essentially practical exercises in self-directed learning from experience.

  More details about the program, including 2025 cohort due dates and  FAQ can be found by clicking on the link below.

  SAG Certificate in Genealogical Research 2025 cohorts.pdf

  The induction webinar to be held on 3 February at 7pm AEDT will be recorded, so you can either watch it live or watch it later.

  Show details
• COURSE: Intermediate Research Methods (Cohort 2 2025)

  • Start
    15 August 2025
  •  
  • End
    13 December 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    10 sessions
  • Location
    Online via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    30

  Register

  Have you been researching your family history for three years or more? Are you ready to strengthen your core research skills and tackle those difficult research problems?

  If your answer to both these questions is yes then join Danielle Lautrec for SAG’s new Research Methods course.
  

  The Society of Australian Genealogists, Australia’s oldest family history society, is excited to announce the return of its online course, Intermediate Research Methods.

  Over the course of ten sessions (eighteen contact hours in total), consisting of a combination of pre-recorded lectures and live workshops delivered via Zoom, you will work on a case study from your own research to learn about:

  • Research planning

  • Analytical methods

  • Documentation

  
  

  IMPORTANT NOTE: The sessions listed as starting at 9am on the dates below are pre-recorded. You will receive an email at approximately 9am AEST on those dates with a link to view the recordings in your own time, prior to the next live session. 

  
  

  • 15 August 2025: Sessions 1 and 2
  • 26 September 2025: Session 5
  • 7 November 2025: Session 8

  You will still receive an automatically generated reminder email about these sessions, however, there will be no live presentation on those dates.

  
  

  For more detailed information about the course and presenter please click on the link below.

   2025 Intermediate Research Methods Course flyer v1.pdf

  
  

  Presenter: Danielle Lautrec

  Skill Level: Intermediate

  
  

  To read SAG's Refund Policy for event registrations please click here.

  
  

  Show details
• WEBINAR: First Look at AncestryDNA

  • When
    17 August 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    25

  Register

  

  This session is ideal for people who are starting to work with their AncestryDNA test results. We’ll cover the reporting features for testers who don’t have an Ancestry subscription and then the additional features that come with subscriptions. Christine will share her "Top 10" techniques for working with AncestryDNA.

  Demonstrations and case studies will be featured in the session. There'll be plenty of time for questions. Reference material will be available after the session.

  Participants should have an understanding of the different types of DNA tests and how they can be used. This is covered in Beginners’ Introduction to DNA. When you register, we’ll send you a link to a pre-recorded webinar if you’d like a refresh.

  This session is limited to 25 participants.

  
  

  Skill level: Beginner

  Presenter: Christine Woodlands 

  Show details
• COURSE: Beginners Practical Introduction to Family History

  • Start
    01 October 2025
  •  
  • End
    19 November 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    7 sessions
  • Location
    via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    40

  Register

  Seven Part Online Course

  Would you like to investigate your family history but have no idea where to start or have you previously signed up to an online platform but felt overwhelmed by all the information available?

  The Society of Australian Genealogists, Australia’s oldest family history society, is excited to again offer our seven part online course “Beginners Practical Introduction to Family History.”

  Over the course of seven sessions (two hours per session) you will learn about:

  • Key tools - family history software platforms, file organisation, research plans
  • Traditional records (document based) research – types of records, locating records
  • Electronic databases – Ancestry, FamilySearch, MyHeritage, Findmypast and more
  • Using maps in family history research
  • Other resources such as Family History Societies, online forums and education options
  • Introduction to DNA research including legal and ethical considerations
  • Various ways to chart, share and publish your findings, including privacy and copyright concerns

  While the course will focus on records available in Australia, North America, the United Kingdom and Ireland we will also touch on locating records in other countries and the skills you will learn can be applied to researching ancestors from anywhere in the world.

  All sessions in this course will be recorded. If you are unable to attend live you will still be able to catch up with all the content.

  Lead Presenter: Vanessa Cassin, SAG Education Manager

  Skill Level: Beginner

  To read SAG's Refund Policy for event registrations please click here
  

  Show details
• WEBINAR: First Look at AncestryDNA

  • When
    29 November 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Via Zoom
  • Spaces left
    25

  Register

  

  This session is ideal for people who are starting to work with their AncestryDNA test results. We’ll cover the reporting features for testers who don’t have an Ancestry subscription and then the additional features that come with subscriptions. Christine will share her "Top 10" techniques for working with AncestryDNA.

  Demonstrations and case studies will be featured in the session. There'll be plenty of time for questions. Reference material will be available after the session.

  Participants should have an understanding of the different types of DNA tests and how they can be used. This is covered in Beginners’ Introduction to DNA. When you register, we’ll send you a link to a pre-recorded webinar if you’d like a refresh.

  This session is limited to 25 participants.

  
  

  Skill level: Beginner

  Presenter: Christine Woodlands 

  Show details