GSQ

Fundamentals Course 2026
2026-01-15 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-01-22 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-01-29 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-02-05 10:30 - 12:30 (Australia/Brisbane) | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
Join GSQ’s Fundamental Course in Family History
it is then followed by the Digging Deeper Course in June

If you are just starting out with your genealogical research or if you would like a refresher on what, where and how to do it, then this course has been designed for you.
It is a four week course starting on Thursday 15th January 2026 at 10:30 AM via Zoom.
All sessions are recorded and will be available for attendees to view for the following 4 weeks.
If you are new to researching your family history and are not already a member of GSQ, but decide to join us during the course, then you will be refunded the $15 difference that occurs between the GSQ member and non member registration fee for this course.
Topics and Dates:
15 Jan 2026
Where do I start? The basics of family history research. Certificates, civil registration, and Australia’s convicts.
1st Session: – Marg

Basic’s – Start with yourself, write down what you know, ask family members who might know some details etc.

2nd Session: – Bev

Civil Registration in Australia, what is on Certificates, and early church records available. The UK BDM’s civil registration and information regarding Australia’s convicts.

22 Jan 2026
Finding records, primary and secondary, citations, standards, other sources of information and research plans.
Both Sessions: – Kim

Primary and secondary records, citations, with examples from personal research. Advantages of looking at cemetery and funeral directors records. Research plans and logs and Standards.

29 Jan 2026
Using Australian census and census substitutes, UK census. Practicalities of research and Repositories
1st Session: – Bev

Australian 1828 and 1841 Census and their substitutes – Electoral Rolls and Post Office Directories. Census of the UK 1841 – 1921 and the 1939 UK Register.

2nd Session: – Marg

Repositories – using them and what to expect to find in them. Practical details of research and being prepared for your visit.

5 Feb 2026
Putting it altogether in a Family History Program or an online tree and filing.
Both Sessions: – Ailsa

Genealogical Programs – Family Tree Maker, Legacy, RootsMagic, Family Historian.
Online Trees – Ancestry, MyHeritage, WikiTree and FamilySearch.
Filing on your computer.

All sessions are with experienced GSQ researchers: Marg Doherty; Kim Davis; Bev Murray; Ailsa Corlett
Please book in early to ensure you have a spot and get the Early Bird discount.
Early Bird – up to 5th Jan 2026 is $70 for GSQ/QFHS/ Affiliate and Corporate Members and $85 for Non-members
After the 5th Jan 2026 prices will be $80 and $95

Tickets will close at 8am Thursday 15 Jan 2026
The link is included in your registration payment – Please make sure you retain this.
Registrants will be able to view the recording for the following month.
QFHS and any GSQ Affiliate members you will require to put in your Member No or Branch as well as the code given to you to use.

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Family Tree Maker 2024: An Overview of New and Enhanced Features - FREE GSQ Members
2026-01-17 09:00 - 11:00
The most popular Genealogical Recording program, got better in 2025 with the release of Family Tree Maker 2024 – FREE to GSQ Members
Duff Wilson plans to cover the latest updates and significant enhancements in Family Tree Maker 2024. The specific content will be tailored to the interests and discussions of your group, ensuring we address the most relevant aspects and common queries among your members. This flexible approach will allow for a dynamic and engaging session focused on what truly matters to the Genealogical Society of Queensland.
So if you are using this version of the program, or wondered what it was all about, come to this session and talk to Duff regarding it. We are sure he will be able to answer all your queries.

Presenter:
Duff Wilson
Duff Wilson is Executive Director of Family Tree Maker and has been involved in the design of every edition of Family Tree Maker since 2004. He has more than three decades of software design and development experience working with products and people from many countries and cultures across the world.

Tickets will close at 8am Saturday 17 Jan 2026

The link is included in your registration payment – Please make sure you retain this.
Registrants will be able to view the recording for the following month.
QFHS and any GSQ Affiliate members you will require to put in the code given to you to use.

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Who, what, why in nineteenth century maternity care practice
2026-01-31 09:00 - 11:00
In the era before compulsory regulation applied to nurses, midwives and others attending at bedsides, there are few records which explain what maternity practice was about: who did it, what their motivations were, what preparation people had for it, and what practice involved. Useful sources to fill the gap are investigations into maternal deaths, coronal inquests and magisterial inquiries. In developing these investigative systems in the nineteenth century, Australian jurisdictions imported conventions from Britain and applied local considerations, of necessity. In this presentation, I will discuss maternity practice in Australia during the nineteenth century and the outcomes for pregnant women, with particular reference to colonial Queensland. Content alert: Please note that some material in this presentation is grim.

Presenter:
Dr Madonna Grehan
Madonna Grehan was born and grew up in Queensland. She is an independent historian, a Registered Nurse and Midwife and holds a PhD in history (Melb.). She is an Honorary Fellow in the Melbourne School of Health Sciences. Her research interests in history include: women and society in Australia from 1795; nurses, midwives and maternity care; oral history; biography; aspects of women in war. Madonna is in her 18th year as a volunteer, social-history, tour guide at the Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne.

Tickets will close at 8am Saturday 31 Jan 2026
The link is included in your registration payment – Please make sure you retain this.
Registrants will be able to view the recording for the following month.
QFHS and any GSQ Affiliate members you will require to put in your Member No or Branch as well as the code given to you to use.

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The Mary Toole Case Study
2026-02-14 09:00 - 11:00
The Mary Toole Case Study series examines the complexities of her lineage, familial connections, and the ties to the Buchanan name. Across four parts, the study transitions from an introductory exploration of genealogical challenges to the sophisticated application of genetic genealogy tools, culminating in the genealogical reports adhering to the Genealogical Proof Standard. It demonstrates the integration of DNA evidence with conventional research, employing a variety of methodologies, tools, and analyses to shed light Mary Toole’s ancestry. This series not only unravels Mary Toole mysteries, but also serves as a guide for genealogists navigating the nuanced realms of family history research, DNA analysis, and report writing.

Presenter:
Greg Carlill
Greg Carlill is an experienced genealogist with more than 35 years of research experience. His research has taken him into Ireland, Scotland, England, and the early days of the Australian and New Zealand colonies. As the Convener of the Genealogical Society of Queensland’s DNA Interest Group, Greg has spent the past eight years applying advanced genetic genealogy techniques to confirm and expand his research. He excels in using tools like DNA Clustering, WATO (What Are The Odds), and DNA Painter, and is skilled in managing and analysing multiple DNA tests to solve complex genealogical puzzles. Greg has a special interest in using DNA to confirm his existing research.

Tickets will close at 8am Saturday 14 Feb 2026
The link is included in your registration payment – Please make sure you retain this.
Registrants will be able to view the recording for the following month.
QFHS and any GSQ Affiliate members you will require to put in your the code given to you to use. (please contact your secretary if you do not know it)

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Obsidian Workshop - Part 1
2026-02-21 09:00 - 11:00
Part 1: Getting started with Obsidian, setting the program up, running through a workshop example
Parts 1 and 2: **Organise your genealogical research with clarity and control !** This Obsidian workshop is perfect for genealogists and family historians juggling research leads, source notes, historical documents, and case studies. The strategies taught — such as note linking, ancestor-centric hubs, and research trail mapping — are critical to understanding complex relationships and hypotheses that genealogists frequently encounter.

Presenter:
Greg Carlill
Greg Carlill is an experienced genealogist with more than 35 years of research experience. His research has taken him into Ireland, Scotland, England, and the early days of the Australian and New Zealand colonies. As the Convener of the Genealogical Society of Queensland’s DNA Interest Group, Greg has spent the past eight years applying advanced genetic genealogy techniques to confirm and expand his research. He excels in using tools like DNA Clustering, WATO (What Are The Odds), and DNA Painter, and is skilled in managing and analysing multiple DNA tests to solve complex genealogical puzzles. Greg has a special interest in using DNA to confirm his existing research.

Tickets will close at 8am Saturday 21 Feb 2026
The link is included in your registration payment – Please make sure you retain this.
Registrants will be able to view the recording for the following month.
QFHS and any GSQ Affiliate members you will require to put in your the code given to you to use. (please contact your secretary if you do not know it)

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Obsidian Workshop - Part 2
2026-02-28 09:00 - 11:00
Part 2: More advanced topics, making the most out of the data in your Obsidian Vault dataview queries, bases.
Parts 1 and 2: **Organise your genealogical research with clarity and control !** This Obsidian workshop is perfect for genealogists and family historians juggling research leads, source notes, historical documents, and case studies. The strategies taught — such as note linking, ancestor-centric hubs, and research trail mapping — are critical to understanding complex relationships and hypotheses that genealogists frequently encounter.

Presenter:
Greg Carlill
Greg Carlill is an experienced genealogist with more than 35 years of research experience. His research has taken him into Ireland, Scotland, England, and the early days of the Australian and New Zealand colonies. As the Convener of the Genealogical Society of Queensland’s DNA Interest Group, Greg has spent the past eight years applying advanced genetic genealogy techniques to confirm and expand his research. He excels in using tools like DNA Clustering, WATO (What Are The Odds), and DNA Painter, and is skilled in managing and analysing multiple DNA tests to solve complex genealogical puzzles. Greg has a special interest in using DNA to confirm his existing research.

Tickets will close at 8am Saturday 28 Feb 2026
The link is included in your registration payment – Please make sure you retain this.
Registrants will be able to view the recording for the following month.
QFHS and any GSQ Affiliate members you will require to put in your the code given to you to use. (please contact your secretary if you do not know it)

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Banished women: convict hardship in colonial NSW
2026-03-14 09:00 - 11:00
Fascinated to discover her 2x great grandparents, Sarah and Thomas Bell, had been matron and keeper at the Parramatta Female Factory, Sue Bell decided to research their lives. Her ancestors had arrived in Sydney from Ireland in 1832 and four years later were appointed to the factory.
Using records, newspaper reports and the stories of individual convicts from the period, Sue reconstructed their story in her book, Academy for Young Ladies, which reveals what happened as the number of female convicts in the factory grew and the Bells were buffeted by events beyond their control as well as their serious misjudgements.
In her presentation, Sue will provide a background to female factories in colonial NSW and Tasmania and in particular the Parramatta Female Factory, highlight stories of the Bells and the convicts and staff who were in the factory during their administration and then outline the ongoing work of the Parramatta Female Factory Friends which includes seeking world heritage listing after becoming a national heritage site.

Presenter:
Sue Bell
Sue Bell was a librarian, and policy advisor in the Queensland Government. She majored in history when studying for her BA at University of Queensland and has become interested in family history over the last 15 years. She has written articles for the Society of Australian Genealogists’s magazine Descent, GSQ’s Generation, and is a regular contributor to the GSQ blog. She has also contributed to the Parramatta Female Factory Friends’ publication Her Story Series Vol 1, and the regular PFFF newsletter.

Tickets will close at 8am Saturday 14 March 2026
The link is included in your registration payment – Please make sure you retain this.
Registrants will be able to view the recording for the following month.
QFHS and any GSQ Affiliate members you will require to put in your the code given to you to use. (please contact your secretary if you do not know it)

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