GSQ encourages people to do their own research as this adds real interest to your family history experience and increases the satisfaction when you eventually find something about that elusive ancestor. However, we do offer a research service, which is limited by the number of volunteer research officers available.

For Members

The Society's research officers will provide assistance to country and interstate members by searching records held at the GSQ resource centre. Non-Brisbane based members are entitled to five free hours research of the Society's resources per year, which includes reasonable copying charges.

Extended research of more than five hours per year will be charged at the rate of $22 per hour.

A research officer is available to undertake research for country and interstate members at the Queensland State Archives and Queensland State Library for a fee of $22 per hour. Research conducted at these institutions may also incur copying and printing fees as applicable, which will be charged to the member's account.

For Non-members

For non-members a fee of $AU 33.00 per hour (including GST) will be charged for research of GSQ resources. Payment for the first hour of research must be received in Australian currency before research will begin. If a research enquiry extends beyond one hour, GSQ will contact the enquirer with an estimate of any additional time or cost required; and request permission to go ahead. Additional charges for expenses such as photocopying may be incurred, and will be invoiced to the enquirer.

Or, you may prefer to visit our resource centre and check out the resources for yourself. For details of our library, see here.

Submitting a Research Enquiry

The enquirer will need to:

• Write to the Society setting out (preferably typed or in clear writing) exactly what is required to be checked, what research has been done and sources already consulted.
• The more concise and well-ordered the enquiry, the sooner we can help. That is, ask specific questions to which you want answers. Include all the information you are sure is correct about the people concerned (names, dates, places). This will ensure that old ground is not covered again, and you get the information you are looking for. It will save our time, and your money.
• Copies of certificates and documents should be attached where possible.
• A brief pedigree chart showing the family being researched is always helpful.
• Include payment, where required, for the first hour of research. Payment may be by cheque or money order, enclose credit card details in the correspondence, or pay online through our secure facility.
• GSQ members will need to quote their membership number.
• Include a large stamped self-addressed envelope.

GSQ will:

• Provide you with the results of the research undertaken on your behalf, including a list of the sources consulted (either successful or unsuccessful)
• Where appropriate, give details of further avenues of research for your investigation.

All enquiries are answered by our volunteers in the order received. Turn around in usually 3-4 weeks, but that is, of course, governed by the number and complexity of requests; and the number of researchers available.