Genealogical Society of Victoria Inc

09/10/2026

To all our wonderful GSV volunteers — this one's for you!

Join us to celebrate and say thank you for the time, knowledge and support you've given to the Society and its members over the past year.

It's also a great chance to catch up and mingle with fellow volunteers you might not often cross paths with.

When: Mon 19 Oct, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Community Hub at the Dock, 912 Collins St, Docklands VIC 3008
Please note: this event is off-site (not at GSV)!

Getting there: From Southern Cross Station, take a Route 11 or 48 tram along Collins Street towards Docklands and alight at the terminus near Victoria Harbour — a short walk from there.

If you'd like to attend, please log in to register: https://www.gsv.org.au/current-and-upcoming-events

We hope to see you there!

08/10/2026

Now on our shelves: the complete Rallying the Troops series

Behind every name on a war memorial is a whole life. The Ku-ring-gai Historical Society set out to tell those stories, and the result is now part of our GSV collection, in all four volumes.

We have a personal connection to this one too: our very own Jackie Van Bergen () was part of the editorial team that helped bring the series to life.

Looking for a great-grandparent's story? Or just interested in how the First World War touched our own backyard? These books are a moving way to find out.

Pop into the library and ask our team to point you to the Rallying the Troops series in the GSV collection. We'd love to see you!

View in our catalogue here: www.gsv.org.au/rallying

06/10/2026

Two special events: What can school records reveal about your ancestors?

Thu 15 Oct, 1:30-3:00pm | Via Zoom
Victorian School Records - Family History Toolbox Discussion Circle

Ever wanted to trace your ancestors through Victorian school records but didn't know where to start? This session is for you!

Join Kate Sullivan from the Department of Education for a hands-on walkthrough of the School Records website, including the Victorian Government Schools Directory and its newly available history section. Whether you're researching a Victorian ancestor or the history of a school itself, come along and discover what's possible.

Fri 23 Oct, 10:30am-12:00pm | Via Zoom
Ask Me Anything: PROV School and Education Records

Got questions about finding school or education records at PROV? Join our Victoria and Tasmania Discussion Circle for a special "Ask Me Anything" session with Dr Sebastian Gurciullo and Jack Martin from the Public Record Office Victoria (PROV). They'll cover how to order records, set up accounts, common FAQs and more relating to online School and Education records. This session is part of our regular Discussion Circle for members researching family history in Victoria and Tasmania. More info: gsv.org.au/victoria-and-tasmania-discussion-circle

Both events are members only and free of charge. Log in to register. Zoom links are sent with confirmation. Events: https://www.gsv.org.au/current-and-upcoming-event

Read about these events in our blog: https://www.gsv.org.au/blog/two-special-events-what-can-school-records-reveal-about-your-ancestors

02/10/2026

Saturday's at GSV Library!

Join us at the GSV Library on Saturday, 10 October 2026, welcoming you from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Come in and explore our resources — our dedicated Library Research Assistants will be on hand to help with your research.

For a smooth and secure visit, please remember that advance booking is essential.
Ensure you reserve your spot by noon on Friday 9 October.

You can make your reservation by phone on (03) 9662 4455 (Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm) or by email at [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you there!

01/10/2026

Celebrating Seniors Month with GSV!

The Genealogical Society of Victoria is proud to support the Victorian Seniors Festival with a series of online events via Zoom — open to both GSV members and the general public!

Tue 13 Oct, 1:30pm – Introduction to GSV & its Resources (Free for all)
Fri 16 Oct, 1:30pm – Researching Scottish Ancestry from Australia (Free members / $10 non-members)
Tue 20 Oct, 10:30am – British India Discussion Circle (Free for all)
Wed 21 Oct, 12:30pm – ScotlandsPeople Website (Free members / $10 non-members)
Thu 29 Oct, 1–4pm – Oral History: Every Story Matters (Free members / $10 non-members)

Whether you are a GSV member or new to family history research, there's something here for everyone.

🔗 Go to our website to register and receive your Zoom invitation. https://www.gsv.org.au/victorian-seniors-festival-2026

Welcome to the Genealogical Society of Victoria. We are pleased to offer the following events to the General Public during the Victorian Seniors Festival. All the events will be conducted online via Zoom. Please select the event, or events, that you would like to attend and click on the link to book...

29/09/2026

Meet the Unsung Heroines of Whittlesea!

'Whispers of History – Pioneering women of Whittlesea prior to 1945' by Maureen Doyle and Gwen Hawke.

Ever wondered what life was really like for the women who helped build early Whittlesea? This new addition to our collection brings their stories out of the archives and into the spotlight — women who raised families, ran households and played an active part in their community, often with remarkable good humour along the way.

Authors Maureen Doyle and Gwen Hawke bring over 40 years of combined local history experience to this project, drawing on years of research and firsthand conversations to piece together lives that might otherwise have been forgotten.

It's a great read for anyone interested in local or family history, or simply curious about the women behind the Whittlesea we know today.

Come view it in our library today! View in our catalogue here: www.gsv.org.au/whisper

Visit our website and search our collections: www.gsv.org.au — select 'Our Collections' and 'Search our Collections'.

26/09/2026

Commercial Databases Library Day - places still available!

Want to get the most out of Ancestry, FindMyPast and other commercial databases? Join us at GSV on Tuesday 29 September for help from our Library Research Assistants, also covering The British Newspaper Archive, The Genealogist, Biographical Database of Australia and My Heritage.

Where: Level 1, 10 Queen Street, Melbourne
When: Morning: 10:30–12:00 (1 place left!)
Afternoon: 1:30–3:00 (a few places left)

GSV members only, free of charge. Book now – places are limited!

https://www.gsv.org.au/current-and-upcoming-events

24/09/2026

Welsh Towns Through the Eyes of a Film Maker: Bringing History to Life

How can a film maker help us understand the lives of our Welsh ancestors?

Join us on Thursday, 1 October, 7:30–9:00 PM as we welcome Anthony Hontoir, film maker and founder of Downwood Film Productions. Based in Porthcawl on the south coast of Wales, Anthony has created local history documentaries on towns including Maesteg, Bridgend, Porthcawl and Port Talbot.

He has also tackled some gripping true stories — like Dangerous Coast, on the 1947 S.S. Samtampa and Mumbles lifeboat disaster and The Restoration of Sker House, following the renovation of an Elizabethan manor near Porthcawl.

Anthony's films go beyond the family record, bringing to life the places and communities that shaped our ancestors' world.

And there's more to his story: journalist turned film maker turned... whodunit novelist!

Read our blog here: https://www.gsv.org.au/blog/welsh-towns-through-eyes-film-maker-bringing-history-life

Want a preview? Check out his films before the meeting: https://www.youtube.com//videos

Open to GSV members — register to receive the Zoom link.
Go to our website: https://www.gsv.org.au/current-and-upcoming-events

23/09/2026

GSV Annual General Meeting - Save the Date!

The Genealogical Society of Victoria invites members to our 2026 AGM:

When: Saturday 3rd October 2026
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Level 1, 10 Queen Street (onsite) or via Zoom

Whether you'd like to join us in person or online, we'd love to have you there!

In-person attendees: Seats are limited — please email [email protected] to confirm availability before attending.

Online attendees: You'll be sent a Zoom invitation ahead of the meeting.

This event is free and exclusive to GSV Members. Please log in to the website to register — your Zoom link will be included in your registration confirmation email: https://www.gsv.org.au/current-and-upcoming-events

We look forward to seeing you!

22/09/2026

Spring is the perfect time for a fresh start on your family history!

Check out our October events and find what sparks your curiosity.

Register on our Events page: https://www.gsv.org.au/current-and-upcoming-events

Not a member? Join a community that's as passionate about your ancestors as you are! https://www.gsv.org.au/membership-benefits-0

Your history is waiting to be discovered.