Family History Tech Interest Group Meeting Dates 2026
2026-05-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-08 10:00 - 12:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
The FHTech Interest Group

Aims:

To assist GSQ members with increasing their knowledge and skills in using technology which can assist with their Genealogical research.
Make members comfortable with Genealogical advancements that are happening in the world.

Meetings: Meetings are held on the 2nd Sunday of odd months of the year, unless otherwise advertised. Via ZOOM.

2026: 8th March; 10th May; 12th July; 13th Sept; 8th Nov.
The meeting commences at 10:00 am until 12:00 noon and generally consists of updates which have occurred, anything New; a Presentation and then Discussion on the presentation and problems to be solved.
This group gives opportunities to look at many other technologies that may help you in relation to recording, preserving, and looking at various technology to help you with your family history.
We like to look at and discuss

File management and storage
Various Software Programs especially ones to use with family history
Help in relation to the many Genealogical Website usage.
Common Windows/PC or Mac problems.
Work together as a group to help others overcome issues and also to swap ideas which can assist others.

If you are not a member of GSQ yet, you can come along for 2 meetings before needing to join. Meetings are always via Zoom.
It was decided that each meeting as short overview of the current major genealogical programs that will run on your computer will be given:
8th March: Family Historian V 7
10th May: Roots Magic V 11
12th July: Legacy V 10
13th Sept: Family Tree Maker 2024
8th Nov: My Heritage Family Tree Builder
Attendees are asked to contribute a gold coin donation.
Contact Convenors Ailsa Corlett and Helen Connor on FHTech@gsq.org.au for the Zoom Link or further information.

Becoming a fan of FANS:
2026-05-09 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
Let your family’s friends, associated and neighbours reveal more of your family’s history.
It’s not just our families who shape our history and share our stories, but also friends, associates and neighbours (FANs). FANs can reveal more nuances to our families’ lives and may turn up completely different information or confirm family anecdotes. Whether your brick wall comes tumbling down or not, researching FANs will certainly add texture to your story.

Presenter:
Pauleen Cass

Pauleen has been researching her family history since 1986 and remains obsessed with the joys of discovering new family information and sharing it with family. In 2003 she published her Kunkel family history, Grassroots Queenslanders: the Kunkel family, which was the winner of the 2004 Alexander Henderson Award (AIGS) and joint winner of the 2004 QFHS Queensland Family History Book Award. In 2006 she gained an Advanced Diploma in Local Studies by online study through Oxford University. She took the leap into the blogging world in 2009 and writes about family history as well as her interests in East Clare and Dorfprozelten emigrants to Australia. Pauleen’s interest in the emigrants from Dorfprozelten started with her own ancestor, George Mathias Kunkel, a swimmer, who arrived in Moreton Bay pre-1857. Listening to a Congress presentation by the late Jenny Paterson in 1994, she was amazed to discover that others had emigrated from the same Bavarian village. Since completing her Kunkel family history she has delved into these other emigrants to learn more about them and their life experiences. Some 66 emigrants arrived in Australia in the 1850s and 1860s from Dorfprozelten which only had a population of about 1000 at the time. She has researched these people in Australia, and has been assisted by the published local history, Dorfprozelten Teil II and email discussions with the local historian Georg Veh. Pauleen has visited the village three times over the years, first exploring her own ancestry, and later learning more about the village itself.

Tickets will close at 8am Saturday 9th May 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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GSQ Closed Qld Labour Day
2026-05-04 | Genealogical Society of Queensland (GSQ), 25 Stackpole St, Wishart, Brisbane, QLD, 4122, Australia
GSQ will be closed on Qld Labour Day

Monday 4 May, 2026

Scottish Interest Group Meeting Dates 2026
2026-05-03 09:30 - 14:00, 2026-03-01 09:30 - 14:00 | Genealogical Society of Queensland (GSQ), 25 Stackpole St, Wishart, Brisbane, QLD, 4122, Australia
The Scottish Interest Group

Aims:

To provide assistance to those researching Scottish ancestors.
To provide resources to assist in research; providing opportunities to talk to other researchers; and organising presentations about subjects connected with Scottish genealogy, culture and history.
Via attending the Gaelic Festival each year and not only having a great time talking to everyone about GSQ and the Scottish Group, but to encourage those interested to come along and join us.

Meetings: Meetings are held on the 1st Sunday of the odd months of the year, unless otherwise advertised.The meetings are Hybrid, meaning the meeting is held at the GSQ Resource Centre but also via Zoom to assist anyone who is unable to attend in person that day.
2026: 4th Jan; 1st March; 3rd May; 5th July; 6th Sept; 1st Nov.
Topics for 2026 will be:
March 1st: East Lothian – Ailsa Corlett
May 3rd: Intro to Research with ScotlandsPeople & GSQ Records – Alistair Henderson
July 5th: Bute & Arran Records – Marie Rosborugh
Sept 6th: Using NRS Records & Sasines – Alistair Henderson
Nov 1st: Selkirk Records – Leanne Taylor

The GSQ Resource Centre, 25 Stackpole Street, Wishart opens at 9:30 am and closes at 2:00 pm. The meeting commences at 10am and runs for about two hours, with the remaining time for members to conduct their own research.
Attendees are asked to contribute a gold coin donation.

Contact Convenor Alistair Henderson on scotgroup@gsq.org.au to obtain a Zoom link or further information.

Obsidian Workshop 4
2026-05-02 09:00 - 23:00 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
Part 4: Review and Questions
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.
Parts 3 and 4: Review and questions

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.

The link is included in your registration payment – Please make sure you retain this.

DNA Clinic Dates 2026
2026-04-29 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
DNA Clinic Help Sessions

The Aim is to assist members with any problems they need assistance with outside of learning from the DNA Interest Group meetings.
The DNA Clinic help sessions are available to all GSQ members only, and will be in your home with a one-on-one virtual meeting through Zoom.
It is held on the 5th Wednesday of the month.
2026: 29th April; 29th July; 30th Sept;
The appointments will be for approximately 1 hour each on that Wednesday evening between the times of 7pm – 8:30pm. A virtual meeting link will be sent to you the day before the DNA Clinic with your appointed time and the person’s name who will be assisting you.
If you’d like to make an appointment, please email dna@gsq.org.au by the Wednesday prior to the session, stating you would like an appointment and set out your DNA problem.

DNA Interest Group Meeting Date 2026
2026-04-26 09:30 - 13:30, 2026-02-22 09:30 - 13:30 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
The DNA Interest Group

The DNA Group launched in May 2015 and its aim is to assist members understand how DNA works and how it can assist you with your research.
Meetings: Are held on the 4th Sunday of even months and begin at 9:30am sharp, with the Zoom room open to login from about 9:15am. These can be long meetings and can go up to 1.30pm depending on needs.
2026: 22nd Feb; 26th April; 28th June; 23th Aug; 25th Oct.
GSQ members are welcome to join our meetings as well as our closed Facebook group.
We meet currently only via Zoom and an invitation with the meeting link goes out a few days before the event.
During the meeting we have a presentation on recent updates in the DNA world, usually one other presentation and Q&A sessions.
Another feature of the group is the Mentoring sessions where those attending decide which Zoom room they’d like to join to learn more about a specific subject ie DNA general, DNA Painter, Clustering, Y-DNA/FTDNA, MyHeritage/23&Me/Ancestry etc.
DNA Clinic:
GSQ members with DNA problems can arrange a one-on-one virtual help session with one of our admin team during our DNA Clinic nights on the 5th Wednesday of specific months from 7 – 8:30pm. Dates can be found in the GSQ Events calendar.
Attendees are asked to contribute a gold coin donation.
Contact Convenor Greg Carlill on dna@gsq.org.au to be sent the Zoom link or further information.

GSQ Closed ANZAC Day
2026-04-25 | Genealogical Society of Queensland (GSQ), 25 Stackpole St, Wishart, Brisbane, QLD, 4122, Australia
GSQ is closed on ANZAC DAY
April 25, 2026

Writing Interest Group Meeting Dates 2026
2026-04-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
Writing Interest Group

Aims:

to provide a forum in which members can learn more about the writing, editing, and publishing processes.
meetings will include discussion and presentations. Guest speakers will be invited from time to time.
members are invited to submit pieces of writing for comment and suggestions by other members.

Meetings: Meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday of even months of the year, unless otherwise advertised. Via ZOOM.
2026: 15th Feb; 19th April; 21st June; 16th Aug; 18th Oct.
The Writing Group was formed in 2012 and grew out of two education sessions presented in 2011. We meet five times per year except December. From our beginnings as a small cohort of 10 members to a regular attendance of between 20-30, the group’s activities have also evolved.
As at June 2021 our meetings are held virtually via Zoom from 10am to 12 noon. It is hoped that we can have a mix of Zoom and face-to-face meetings in the future to provide members with the opportunity to do some personal research as well as engage with other members over morning tea and lunch, as well as meet the needs of those members who do not use Zoom.
The format for the meeting varies depending on the main topic to be discussed. Regular features include short practice sessions on a random topic; review of writing submitted by members in advance; an opportunity for members to share their achievements. Main topics we have covered include grammar, writing and style, evidence and proof, citation and referencing, copyright, different formats and structures for family histories, and many more. We have had guest speakers from time to time.
Members are encouraged to share their writing as group members may be able to provide suggestions for enhancing the style, format, etc. All comments are constructive, and the writer has discretion on whether to accept them or not. It does help, however, to have input from those not connected with a story.
Group members are at different stages of their writing; some are published authors, whereas others are just beginning. It is exciting to note that most of the winners of the Joan Reese Memorial Short Story Competition are members of the Writing Group. We regularly review how the group operates in order to meet the differing needs of beginning and more experienced writers.
Attendees are asked to contribute a gold coin donation.

Contact Convenor Pauline Williams on writing@gsq.org.au for the Zoom Link or further Information.

Obsidian Workshop 3 and 4
2026-04-18 09:00 - 23:00 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
Part 3: Review and Questions
Part 4: Review and Questions
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.
Parts 3 and 4: Review and questions

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 18th April 2026 (for both Workshops)
4th Workshop will be on 2nd May 2026 same time.
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.

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WeAre.xyz Interest Group Meeting Dates 2026
2026-04-16 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-02-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
WeAre.xyz Interest Group

Aims:

To help others understand the benefits of preserving the memories and research you have done, so that it will live on forever.
Introduce the group to new ideas and how to share the information and details only with the family members you wish to share with.

WeAre.xyz is a site like no other, it is nothing like Ancestry, MyHeritage, FindmyPast or the many others, but if you are interested in learning how to preserve your family history and stories and you want it available for your own family to use and see in the future, then this might be a solution for you.
Come and join this newly establish group, the only one so far in Australia, all are welcome to contact the convenor, and GSQ members to come and see how you could benefit from using it.
Meetings: The third Thursday Night of every even month at 6:30 pm (Brisbane Time) via Zoom.
2026: 19th Feb; 16th Apr; 18th June; 20 Aug; 15 Oct;
please contact convenor Fleur Creed on weare.xyz@gsq.org.au to be added to the list so that you can receive the link to come along.

GSQ Members Meetings
2026-04-13 19:30 - 20:30 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
All GSQ Members are invited to attend the Members Meetings going to be held 3 times a year.
Second Monday evening of the month at 7:30 PM via Zoom
13 April 2026
13 July 2026
9 November 2026
please advise secretary@gsq.org.au of attendance. Notice with link will be sent in the days before the meeting.

The English/Irish/Welsh Interest Group
2026-04-12 13:00 - 16:30 | Genealogical Society of Queensland (GSQ), 25 Stackpole St, Wishart, Brisbane, QLD, 4122, Australia
The English/ Irish/ Welsh interest Group

Aims to assist members with their research into their English, Irish or Welsh ancestry through discussion, guest speakers and acquisition of resources.
Meetings:
Are held on the 1st Sunday of even months of the year, unless otherwise advertised. The meetings are Hybrid meaning they held at the GSQ Resource Centre, 25 Stackpole Street, Wishart, as well as via Zoom so that anyone who is unable to attend on the day can still participate in the meetings.
2026: 1st Feb; 5th April; 7th June; 2nd Aug; 4th Oct; 6th Dec.
Please NOTE: The 5th April meeting will now be held on the 12th April from 1:00pm

The Resource Centre opens at 9:30 am and closes at 2:30 pm, the meeting begins at 10:00 am with a discussion followed by one of the members giving a presentation relevant to one of the counties the Group covers. There will be opportunities to ask questions of the group, seek help with a research problems you may have and to share your knowledge. You will have time to do personal research and talk to members.
Attendees are asked to contribute a gold coin donation.
Contact Convenor Kim Davis on irisheng@gsq.org.au to obtain a Zoom link or further information.

Colonial and Convict Interest Group Meeting Dates 2026
2026-04-12 09:30 - 12:30 | Genealogical Society of Queensland (GSQ), 25 Stackpole St, Wishart, Brisbane, QLD, 4122, Australia
The Colonial and Convict Interest Group
Aims:

to provide a specialist forum for members with a particular interest in the history of settlement from 1788 through the colonial period, before the colonies united to become the nation of Australia in 1901.
to seek to collaboratively explore all aspects of this fascinating period of our history and our colonial heritage, Develop insights into your ancestors’ life experiences, including the horrors of transportation. Join, research, learn and share information. Hear the stories of others.

Meetings: Meetings are held on the 2nd Sunday of even months of the year unless advised. The meetings are Hybrid being held at the GSQ Resource Centre, 25 Stackpole Street, Wishart and via Zoom so that anyone unable to attend on the day can still participate in the meeting.
The Resource Centre opens at 10.00am and closes at 2.30pm. The meeting begins at 10:00 am until 12 noon, to allow members to conduct research after the meeting.
The Annual General Meeting of the Group is held in February each year.

2026: 8th Feb; 12th April; 14th June; 9th Aug; 11th Oct;13th Dec;
Please NOTE: Sunday 12th April meeting will start earlier at 9.30am
Attendees are asked to contribute a gold coin donation.
Contact Convenor Bev Murray on CandC@gsq.org.au to obtain a link for Zoom or further information.

Diving into Ancestry DNA - FREE to Members
2026-04-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
You have done an Ancestry DNA test. The results are in. Now what? This hands-on workshop dives into the Ancestry DNA website and the many Ancestry tools available to help you with your DNA results.

Presenter:
Helen Smith
Helen is a speaker, author and professional researcher who has been researching her family for more than 36 years (and no she isn’t finished yet!). She also has a Quested One Name Study (anywhere anytime) and has a particular interest in social history, medical history, the influences on and the contexts of our ancestors lives as well as DNA and its use in genealogical research.

Tickets will close at 8am Saturday 11th April 2026 – This event is FREE to GSQ and QFHS Members
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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GSQ Closed Easter
2026-04-03 08:00 - 2026-04-06 11:30 | Genealogical Society of Queensland (GSQ), 25 Stackpole St, Wishart, Brisbane, QLD, 4122, Australia
GSQ is closed for the Easter Holidays

From Friday 3, 4, 5, 6 April 2026

German Interest Group Meeting Dates 2026
2026-03-29 10:00 - 14:30 | Genealogical Society of Queensland (GSQ), 25 Stackpole St, Wishart, Brisbane, QLD, 4122, Australia
The German Interest Group
AIMS:

to offer support and research assistance to all who are searching for their German Ancestry.
to encourage and exchange information in an informal setting.
to provide guest speakers when possible to help guide us through the maze of information available to us.
to learn the history of Germany and immigration and why our ancestors chose to leave.
to get to know about German people and their customs.

Meetings:
Meetings are held on the Last Sunday of odd months of the year, unless otherwise advertised. The meetings are Hybrid, meaning held at the GSQ Resource Centre, 25 Stackpole St, Wishart as well as via Zoom. This enables anyone how is unable to attend in person on the day.
2026: 25th Jan; 29th March; 31st May; 26th July; 27th Sept; 29th Nov.
The Resource Centre opens at 10:00 am until 2:30 pm, allowing time before or after the meeting for research or discussion.
The German Interest Group is a small, but very knowledgeable group and would love to have you attend their meetings.
Please contact via email in relation to any questions or suggestions that you might have in relation to how the group may assist you with your research.
Any GSQ members who think they may also benefit from listening to the QFHS Central European Group Zoom meetings of which are held on the 1st Sunday in the even months, please contact the convenor so that she can arrange for the link to be sent to you.
Attendees are asked to contribute a gold coin donation.
Contact Convenor Lesley Roebig on germangroup@gsq.org.au to obtain a Zoom link or further information.

Military Interest Group Meeting Dates 2026
2026-03-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
The Military Interest Group

The first Military Interest Group meeting will occur via Zoom on the 29th March 2026 which will be the 5th Sunday of the month.
Aims and ideas regarding the group will be discussed at this meeting.
Meetings: 29th March – 10am – 12pm via Zoom.
please contact the Convenor Marg Doherty on military@gsq.org.au if you are interested in joining this group so that the Zoom link can be forwarded for you to attend.

From Europe to Australia: tracing the roots of migrant ancestors - Mini Seminar
2026-03-28 09:00 - 13:00 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
Many of us will have European ancestors that came to Australia or even New Zealand in our history. Many left their homelands to come to Australia for a large variety of reasons. But all wanted to make a go of it and experience the freedom we have to own land, educate our children and plenty to eat. Which was not always possible in some countries due to wars, depressions and persecutions.
If it is a few generations back, then many of the stories that were told or handed down will now have gone or changed so much you don’t really know what the full truth was. As we all know when many arrived here their names were Anglicised to make it easier for people to pronounce their names. Eg. Petro became Peter and Maria became Mary. Language of a different country often makes it difficult for us to know where to find the records and what records do exist and how to use them for our family history.
Come and join 5 Fantastic Presenters in a mini seminar to learn about what life was like before and after they arrived in Australia; what and where to find records and how to make advancement in tracing the roots of your migrant ancestors.

Eastern European Family History Online:

Without leaving your home, you can research your family’s origins in Eastern Europe. DNA testing and the rapidly increasing range of online databases are changing the way we research family history in Eastern Europe. Plenty of resources are available, but they are not necessarily on the usual family history sites. This session will provide ideas for pushing your research in new directions, and suggest tools that would make your work easier. It should be possible to sort out problems and questions regarding language, geography, history and boundary changes.

Presenter:
Dave Obee
Dave Obee is a Canadian journalist and genealogical researcher who has written a dozen books and given more than 700 presentations at conferences and seminars in Canada, the United States and Australia since 1997. He is Editor and Publisher of the Times Colonist in Victoria, British Columbia. The University of Victoria has awarded him an honorary doctorate of laws for his work as a historian, genealogist and journalist. In 2023, the university named Dave an honorary librarian and archivist.
He has been researching family history for more than four decades. His father’s ancestors came to Canada from England and Ireland in the 19th century, and his mother was born in the Soviet Union and came to Canada with her parents in 1928. He has travelled extensively in Eastern Europe in pursuit of his ancestors, and has already booked a flight to Poland for March 2026.

Italian Family History:
“This session will cover how to start your Italian family research. It begins with finding Australian arrivals and then moves back to researching in Italy. You’ll learn about the records held in Italy – how to find them, and how to read them. These include records created by civil authorities, the Roman Catholic church, and cemetery records. We’ll also discuss how to navigate Italy’s complicated history to find the right archive, and look at various online resources.”

Presenter:
Charlotte Sale
Charlotte has a long professional background in research, organisational change, and communication. More importantly, she is the holder of family stories for her family, near and far, and regularly swaps granny snaps with her first, second and third cousins in Australia, the UK, Italy, Spain, and South Africa.
Completing several courses on researching in Italy with the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, Charlotte honed her skills in accessing Italian family history resources online. She also worked with an Italian genealogist, obtaining copies of original records tracing her family in Lombardy (northern Italy) back to 1700. She visited Italy just before COVID, visiting and researching the lives of her Italian forbears.
She is a regular presenter on a variety of topics for both GSQ and QFHS as well as others.

My ancestors were German: Can I research my family history:
Some might think that researching the family history of our German ancestors would be too difficult. This presentation aims to correct that misconception by outlining what we need to do to get started, warning of some some traps to avoid, and showing examples of German records that are so useful in family research.

Presenter:
Eric Kopittke
Eric studied at the University of Queensland and was awarded a B.Sc., B.A. and a Diploma of Education. He retired in 2014 after teaching Physics and Mathematics at St Peters Lutheran College, Indooroopilly for over 40 years.
A family historian, presenter, and author with a strong interest in Germany and the former German Empire, Eric has been actively researching his family since 1985 – in Australia, England, and present and former parts of Germany – and has been a member of the Queensland Family History Society for all of that time. For over 30 years he has convened the Society’s Central European Special Interest Group.
Probably best known for the series Emigrants from Hamburg to Australasia: 1850-1879 which was completed with his wife Rosemary, Eric received the Queensland FHS Award for Services to Family History (1990); was made a Fellow of the Queensland FHS (2000); and in 2006 was awarded the AFFHO Award for Meritorious Services to Family History.

Diaspora: The Greek migrant experience in Queensland:
Did you know that the word ‘diaspora’ is a Greek word meaning ‘dispersion’?
5 million Greeks are estimated to live in countries outside of Greece, and in the years after the Second World War, Australia became home to more than 350,000 Greek migrants in search of a better future.
Today, Queensland boasts a vibrant, close-knit Greek-Australian community, with more than 30,000 people in the state who claim Greek ancestry.
Join us to explore migrant selection documents, arrival records, and alien registration papers from the national archival collection that document the Greek migrant experience in Queensland.

Presenter:
Eve Terry
Eve Terry is Manager of Public Engagement for the National Archives of Australia, Queensland.
Eve’s experiences as a second-generation Greek Australian, have led to her choice of career and her passion for connecting people to their heritage through Australian Government records.

30 minute presentation on what European records are available on MyHeritage:
MyHeritage has a very large and varied database covering the following countries of which at times were classified as European countries.
Germany, Prussia, Italy, France, Spain, Poland, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Greece, Hungary, Ukraine and a few others.
All have a variety of records covering Births, Deaths and Marriages, Migration records, WW1 and WW2, Census, Church Records and Newspapers.
Not everything is available or covered but they do have an extremely good lot of records to search through.
GSQ has Library Diamond Subscription for its members to access in the Resource Centre at Wishart, plus at home via the Members Area.

Presenter: TBA
MyHeritage

Tickets will close at 8am Saturday 28 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 be required to put in the code given to you to use. This will then action the discount for you. (please contact your secretary if you do not know it)

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Scandinavian Interest Group Meeting Dates 2026
2026-03-15 12:30 - 14:30 | Genealogical Society of Queensland (GSQ), 25 Stackpole St, Wishart, Brisbane, QLD, 4122, Australia
The Scandinavian Interest Group

Aim is to provide assistance to members researching their Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish or Icelandic Ancestors.

Meetings:
Meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday of the odd months of the year, unless otherwise advertised, at the Resource Centre, 25 Stackpole Street, Wishart.
2026: 18th Jan; 15th March; 17th May; 19th July; 20th Sept; 15th Nov.
Please NOTE 17th May 2026 will start at 2:30 pm.

The Resource Centre opens at 12:30 pm and closes at 2:30 pm. Meetings usually commence at 12:30pm and take the form of discussions or guest speakers about Scandinavian research, migration or customs.
Attendees are asked to contribute a gold coin donation.

Contact Convenor Steinar Johansen on scangroup@gsq.org.au for further information.

Chinese Research Interest Group Meeting Dates 2026
2026-03-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
The Chinese Research Interest Group

Aims:

To provide members with knowledge about family history research of Chinese families in Australia
To share findings, ideas and techniques on successfully researching Chinese ancestors and others

Meetings: Meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday of odd months, unless otherwise advertised. Via ZOOM.
2026: 18th Jan; 15th March; 17th May; 19th July; 20th Sept; 15th Nov.
The meeting commences at 10:00 am until 12:00 noon and are run via Zoom.
The Group is for GSQ members who are interested in researching their Chinese ancestors who have come to Australia or in exploring the life stories of Chinese people in Australia.
Throughout the centuries, many Chinese people have migrated to Australia to pursue various undertakings and to lead interesting lives in diverse places around Australia, from cities to regional areas.
Members of the Group are encouraged to bring examples of problems they are having in tracing various Chinese people, as well as examples of successes they have had with their research.

Attendees are asked to contribute a gold coin donation.
Contact Convenor Marg Doherty on chineseresearchgroup@gsq.org.au for the Zoom Link or further information.

Banished women: convict hardship in colonial NSW
2026-03-14 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
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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Interest Group Convenors Meetings
2026-03-02 19:30 - 20:30 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
Meeting for all the Convenors of the GSQ Interest Groups
will be held on the First Monday night of following months. – 4 times a year.
Meetings will be held at 7.30 PM via Zoom. A link will be forwarded to all in the days before the meeting.
2 March 2026
1 June 2026
7 September 2026
7 December 2026
any apologies to be sent to secretary@gsq.org.au

Obsidian Workshop - Part 2
2026-02-28 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
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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Obsidian Workshop - Part 1
2026-02-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtually via Zoom, QLD, Australia
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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