One of the Society's prime objectives is to increase the range of digital resources available to Queensland family history researchers by its indexing and transcription projects.
The following projects are currently being undertaken:
Cemetery Indexes
Since 1992, GSQ, has, as a major project, been indexing records of a large portion of Queensland cemeteries, with the permission of local governments. Not all Queensland cemeteries have been indexed, as some of the larger councils have published their own indexes or made them available online.
Outputs from these projects have resulted in the Queensland Cemetery Records Series, a series of publications covering cemeteries of most of Queensland.
These books are available for sale. Check the List of Cemetery Publications and submit the Order Form with your payment. Or, order and pay for these publications through our online shop.
GSQ has also received permission from a number of funeral directors to microfilm and index their records. See the list of Funeral Directors records and the Order Form for mail order, or order through the online shop.
You can order a transcription for $20 of a Funeral Directors' Record on the Transcription Form, complete the form, save the form and email it to GSQ or mail it in to GSQ.
The ultimate aim of the project is to create a comprehensive computer database of all available Queensland cemetery and funeral directors records. This database provides an alternative source for details of death to the Queensland civil registration death indexes, access to which are restricted for privacy reasons.
Catholic Parishes
GSQ has been filming and indexing Catholic Parish records for the Archdiocese of Brisbane in South East Queensland since 1993 (see map of Brisbane Archdiocese).
Baptisms, marriages and burial records for over 40 parishes have been filmed, commencing with older parishes; such as St. Stephen's Cathedral from 1844, St. Mary's, Ipswich from 1849, St. Patrick's, Fortitude Valley from 1895 and St. Brigid's, Red Hill from 1892. Parishes north to Maryborough, west to Laidley and south to the Gold Coast have been filmed and indexed. However, not all parish records in the Brisbane Archdiocese have been filmed and indexed.
Microfiche copies of the indexes are available for sale from our online shop. Or, consult the List of Microfiche Parish Records and complete the Order Form for mail order and payment.
GSQ will provide copies of the parish entries for a fee of $20 per entry. Enquirers should complete the Transcription Form, including the required information from the index, and submitting their request with payment.
Payment may also be made online, through our secure Pay Way Net facility. Just tick the online box in the payment options on the form.
World War 1 Project
The primary aim of the project is to compile a comprehensive database of Honour boards (including small memorials) and the names thereon, dedicated to WW1 men and women throughout Queensland.
This does NOT include major public memorials, cenotaphs, memorial entrance gates to parks etc. Many of these are recorded elsewhere and it is often the Honour boards which are lost due to 'demolition' of buildings etc.
Secondly, the aim is to identify the people named and provide research information on as many as possible.
In the first instance this will involve the searching of the WW1 Nominal Roll to identify the person, from here it is hoped that local family history groups, individuals etc will undertake further research on individuals which would include family and other relevant information.
There are several ways to help:
Seek out and photograph honour boards, small memorials in local area. Schools, churches, community halls, clubs, Masonic lodges and large businesses are all possible locations for these.
People who travel throughout Queensland or have contacts in some of the smaller communities can be particularly helpful.
An electronic file is available for use to fill in the relevant information. Manual data sheets are also available.
Volunteer to enter the information into these files where photographs only may have been received.
Research, using the WW1Nominal Roll, to identify the individuals and data entry the military information available.
Elect to research further individuals in depth.
Help with contacting local family history groups to gain their support.
Maintain a register of all who have contributed.
Check entries to ensure that they conform to the set down requirements.
Checking entries for obvious errors.
Maintaining a catalogue of the photographs received.
Providing photographic restoration etc if required.
Any queries should be directed to the Project Co-ordinator
By mail: World War 1 Project
Genealogical Society of Queensland Inc.
PO Box 1467
CARINDALE QLD 4152
By email: Subject ‘World War 1 Project’ projects@gsq.org.au
General Index Cards Digitisation
If you are interested in helping us with any of these projects, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator on 07 3349 6072 or by email at volunteer@gsq.org.au