Genies' Family History Month seminar on convicts

August is National Family History Month, and there are many genealogical events happening right across Australasia.

This year the Gisborne Genealogical Group will be holding a full day seminar on Saturday 26 August, the topic ‘Convicts’. It will be held at the Uniting Church, Gisborne, starting at 9.30am.

There will be three sessions. Bronwyn Quint, from the Genealogical Society of Victoria’s special group the Descendants of Convicts, is our first speaker.

Professor Janet McCalman will present in the afternoon, her topic ‘The Vandemonians’. She has also written a book on this subject.

Between the guest speaker sessions, Genealogical Group members will present short stories they have written about their own convict ancestors, and other stories will be on display, along with books and memorabilia.

Morning and afternoon tea is provided, BYO lunch (or buy at the shops). Cost is $25 ($20 for GGG members). Please book with Lorna Jackson on 0402 091 034 or email lorna_jackson@bigpond.com.

Even if you don’t have convict ancestors you can be assured of an

Saturday 26 August starting 9.30am.

1 Bronwyn Quint, Genealogical Society of Victoria's Descendants of Convicts group.

2 Gisborne Genealogical Group stories on convict ancestors.

3 Prof Janet McCalman on 'The Vandemonians' interesting day.

The Family History Room, adjoining the Gisborne Library, is open each Tuesday from 10am to 1pm, and Thursday 2pm to 5pm. During the week preceding the Seminar (21-25 August) the room will be open each day from 1pm to 4pm, with volunteers available to assist you with your research.

The next Saturday Workshop will be held on 5 August at 10am in the Family History Room. Dr Fran Thiele will lead a discussion on Victorian Land Records. Please book with Lorna. Further details are on our website www.ggg.org.au

Lyn Hall, President