Society of Australian Genealogists

25/11/2025

Members and friends in Sydney might be interested in this event coming up on 7th December - the Sydney premiere of By Far Kaymakchalan, a new documentary uncovering the little-known story of more than 1,500 Australians and New Zealanders who served in the Serbian campaign of World War One.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sydney-premiere-of-by-far-kaymakchalan-documentary-film-60-minutes-qa-tickets-1968325310991?aff=oddtdtcreator

25/11/2025

Can you help our friends at the Ryerson Index?

📚 Ryerson Index Update – A Huge Year of Recording Australia’s History

Between 16 February 2025 and 21 November 2025, our dedicated volunteers have uploaded an incredible 268,530 records to the Ryerson Index.
These entries come from newspapers and funeral homes right across Australia, helping families, researchers and genealogists access vital historical information.

💛 But we need help.
Volunteer numbers have been steadily declining, and unfortunately this means we are limited in what we are able to record. Some newspapers and funeral home notices — especially in regional areas — are now at risk of being missed entirely.

🤝 We would love to partner with Family History Societies and local community groups who can assist by:
• Recording notices from their local newspaper/s
• Indexing information from local funeral homes
• Helping with back-indexing older papers to preserve the history of their region

Every local contribution strengthens the Ryerson Index and helps safeguard Australia’s stories for generations to come.

If your group would like to get involved, please reach out — we’d truly value your support. You can inbox us here, or send an email to secretary@ryersonindex.org
Together, we can continue keeping these important records alive. 💛

— Ryerson Index Inc.

25/11/2025

🔍✨ Curious about the latest tech and AI tools for Family History? Join us tonight at 7.30pm AEDT on Zoom - all welcome with tickets from $5: see link in bio.

Our bi-monthly AI & IT Special Interest Group is the perfect place to explore new technology, share ideas, and pick up practical tips to enhance your research.

Each session includes a mix of engaging, member-driven segments:
🆕 Latest Updates – What’s new in AI, software, and hardware
💬 News & Views – Reviews, recommendations, and lively discussion
⚡ Quick Tips – Handy tricks in three minutes or less
📣 Show & Tell – Share what you’ve been experimenting with
🔎 In-Depth Focus – A closer look at tools and techniques
🛠️ Helpdesk – Bring your challenges, get advice and support

Whether you’re just dipping your toes into tech or already hands-on with AI, everyone is welcome. Come along, get inspired, and help shape future sessions. See you tonight! 🌟

23/11/2025

✨ New to AncestryDNA? Join us online this Saturday 29 November at 10.00am AEDT! ✨Register now (places limited): https://www.sag.org.au/event-6083804

If you're just starting to explore your AncestryDNA results, this hands-on session with Christine Woodlands is the perfect place to begin.

🔍 What’s Included with Your Registration:
• 3 hours of pre-recorded lectures
• A 2.5-hour live online session with demonstrations, case studies, and Q&A
• Post-session reference materials
• Two additional one-hour webinars to reinforce your learning
• A pre-session introductory DNA webinar (sent upon registration)

Christine will guide you through what you can do with or without an Ancestry subscription, share practical tips, and show you how to get the most from your matches.

👥 Limited to 25 participants to ensure plenty of support and interaction.
🎓 Skill level: Beginner
🗓️ Live online session: Saturday, 10am AEDT

Start your DNA journey with confidence — secure your place today!

21/11/2025

If you are not with us online on the 29th November, the Anzac Memorial might be the place to be:

21/11/2025

✨ Friday Hang Out – Today at 4.00pm AEDT! ✨
2025 GeneaDiscoveries: Simple to Significant

Join our host Jill and fellow SAG members this afternoon as we dive into the wonderful world of research finds from this year. From tiny clues that unlocked a new branch, to major breakthroughs that changed a whole family story.

Whether you’ve made a small discovery or uncovered something remarkable, today’s Hang Out is the perfect place to share, learn, and be inspired by the collective wisdom of our community.

☕ Bring a cuppa, your curiosity, and your latest genealogical gem.
👥 Members only – free to attend online.

See you later for another great Friday Hang Out!

21/11/2025

✨ Friday Hang Out – Today at 4.00pm AEDT! ✨
2025 GeneaDiscoveries: Simple to Significant

Join our host Jill and fellow SAG members this afternoon as we dive into the wonderful world of research finds from this year. From tiny clues that unlocked a new branch, to major breakthroughs that changed a whole family story.

Whether you’ve made a small discovery or uncovered something remarkable, today’s Hang Out is the perfect place to share, learn, and be inspired by the collective wisdom of our community.

☕ Bring a cuppa, your curiosity, and your latest genealogical gem.
👥 Members only – free to attend online. See this link for the details of how to join Zoom: www.sag.org.au/HangOut

See you later for another great Friday Hang Out!

20/11/2025

We'll be there!

18/11/2025

🕑 Today at 2pm AEDT - See events link in bio.

What does sugar have to do with family history?
Far more than you might think.

Join us today at 2.00pm AEDT for a fascinating webinar with Patrice Connelly, who will take us on a journey through the global sugar trade — a story that threads through slavery, migration, shipping, industry, engineering, tool-making, and even the British Museum’s early specimen collections.

You’ll learn about:
🌱 How sugar was made and refined
🍬 The art of sculpting sugar
⚓ The populations and industries shaped by the trade
🏺 Resources to help you trace ancestors connected to sugar — from shipowners and enslavers to confectioners, tool-makers, dentists and more
🇬🇧 A strong focus on the UK, with insights into North Queensland’s sugar farms

Were your ancestors involved in the sugar world — in ways sweet or sour?
Don’t miss this rich exploration of a story that may be closer to your family tree than you realise.

18/11/2025

🕑 Today at 2pm AEDT https://www.sag.org.au/event-6350218

What does sugar have to do with family history?
Far more than you might think.

Join us today at 2.00pm AEDT for a fascinating webinar with Patrice Connelly, who will take us on a journey through the global sugar trade — a story that threads through slavery, migration, shipping, industry, engineering, tool-making, and even the British Museum’s early specimen collections.

You’ll learn about:
🌱 How sugar was made and refined
🍬 The art of sculpting sugar
⚓ The populations and industries shaped by the trade
🏺 Resources to help you trace ancestors connected to sugar — from shipowners and enslavers to confectioners, tool-makers, dentists and more
🇬🇧 A strong focus on the UK, with insights into North Queensland’s sugar farms

Were your ancestors involved in the sugar world — in ways sweet or sour?
Don’t miss this rich exploration of a story that may be closer to your family tree than you realise.

14/11/2025

Members, can you be with us at the Hang Out today? Jennie is hosting and asking for stories around The Peculiarities of English Law - we would love to see you online at 4.00pm AEDT: www.sag.org.au/hangout

14/11/2025

Who’s ready for a knowledge-packed weekend? www.sag.org.au/events

Tomorrow (Sat 15 Nov) SAG has three online special interest group meetings lined up! In the morning, our Legacy Software Users Group goes online at 10.00am AEDT to discuss how to incorporate DNA matches and information into your family tree software.

At the same time, our Aotearoa New Zealand Research Group will be delving into World War II research, commemorating the stories of New Zealanders who served (including those in Australian forces) and how to find their service records.

Then in the afternoon, the Colonial Australia Research Group meets at 3:00 om AEDT via Zoom looking at family members from the entertainment sector! This is a collaborative session where we all share tips and suggestions, the essence of what SAG groups are about.

We hope to see you there!


Image from the SAG Collection