This section lists the societies of Victoria, Australia, giving details about each one and what resources and publications they offer.
Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies
Donald Grant and Peter Foard founded AIGS in 1973. The association’s aims are to promote the study of genealogy, transcribe memorial inscriptions and parish registers and to make records more accessible to the public.
Many resources, including some relating to England and Wales, are accessible in their Reference Library.
An index of some early Americans and Canadians in Australia compiled by Nick Vine Hall (1944-2006) is available. In addition, they have special interest groups covering England and Wales and a list of AIGS surnames.
Website:
http://www.aigs.org.au
Cobram Genealogical Group
Cobram Cemetery Index is available on their site.
Publications available for sale include Barooga Cemetery Index and stories on the settlers and pioneers of the Cobram and Barooga area, which includes stories of Italian families who settled in Cobram area in the 1900s. Surnames of families included in this publication are also available.
A schedule of surnames currently being researched by members is also available.
Website:
http://cobramgg.blogspot.com.au/
Cornish Association of Victoria
The society was founded in 1986. Their site has details about the branches in Ballarat and Geelong and also has information about Activity Groups, which are the Cornish Language Group, The Cornish Born Group, the Camborne/Gwennap Group and the St Just Group.
Many resources are available in their library, which incorporate:
- ‘Bawden’ Transcripts – Parish records to the mid 1800’s
- Biographical Index of South Australians 1836-1885
- Cornwall Census Returns 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891
- Cornwall Parish Records
- Devon Census Returns 1841, 1861, 1881
- Directories
- Early Victorian Births, Marriages and Deaths
- Edwardian Index 1902-1913
Resources also include:
- Family and Local Histories
- Federation Index 1889-1901
- Gazetteers
- International Genealogical Index (IGI)
- Marine BDM’s 1853-1920
- Methodist Records 1837-1900
- Pioneer Index 1836-1888
- Wills and Probate
Website:
Descendants of Convicts Group
The association was founded in 1981 by people who thought there should be a group especially for people who could claim they had a convict ancestor in the family who had been transported between 1788 and 1868, and for those who were interested in convicts.
Their site contains a list of Members Convicts, along with details of Member Connections, some of whom were transported from England and Wales.
Website:
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~dcginc
Mildura and District Genealogical Society
The society was established in 1977 and now has more than 120 members. Many resources are accessible, which incorporate:
- Biographies
- Birth, Marriage and Death Records
- Cemetery Maps
- Cemetery Inscriptions
- Electoral Rolls
- Family Histories
- Funeral Records
- Local Histories
- Newsletters from other Societies
- Newspapers
- School Records
- Survey Maps
Full details of these resources can be found by using their online catalogue. Some resources relate to England and Wales.
An index to people mentioned in Sunraysia Daily Newspaper 1920-1999 is also accessible.
Details of Members Interests are also accessible.
Website:
http://milduragenealogy.com.au/
Mornington Peninsula Family History Society
The association was founded in 1979 and aimed to help people who wished to conduct family history research, specifically the Mornington Peninsula South-East of Melbourne.
They have a specific interest in Frankston where they are located. Their site includes details of their holdings which can be searched at their Library. These holdings include:
- 1881 British Census
- Birth, Death and Marriage Indexes
- British Vital Records Index
- Cemetery Inscriptions
- English Civil Registration Index 1837-1880s
- Family Histories
- History Books
- International Genealogical Index (IGI)
- Vital Records Indexes
These include some resources covering England and Wales.
Some publications are available for sale, including:
- 100 Years of Skye
- Call it Seaford – The Memoirs of Carmen Tomlinson
- Cheltenham Cemetery Headstones 1933-2000
- Family Tree Charts
- Langwarrin Settlers and Soldiers
- Mt Eliza & District & Shire of Mornington Rate Books 1861-1885
Website:
http://www.mpfhs.org
Narre Warren and District Family History Group
The Group is a non-profit making association whose primary aim is to encourage and promote local history in the City of Casey and Shire of Cardinia.
They serve the communities of Narre Warren, Narre Warren North and East, Harkaway, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Berwick, Beaconsfield and the surrounding areas.
Some publications are available for sale, which incorporate:
- 100 men, 100 years: a World War 1 Walk in Berwick Cemetery
- Cemetery Tour Books
- Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia District
- For some the bell tolled: a World War 1 Walk in Harkaway Cemetery (plus Harkaway Avenue of Honour)
- Sacrifice and Patriotism: a World War 1 Walk in Pakenham Cemetery
A list of surnames currently being researched by members is accessible.
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/NarreWarrenDistrictFamilyHistoryGroup/
Shepparton Family History Group
Their site contains a comprehensive list of holdings, incorporating:
- Birth, Marriage and Death Records
- Cemetery Records
- Census Returns
- Electoral Rolls
- Church Records
- Family Histories
- Immigration Records
Archives also incorporate:
- Land Records
- Local Histories
- Newspapers
- Photographs
- Pioneer Registers
- School Histories and Registers
- War Records
Some resources relate to England and Wales.
Three volumes of Early Families of Shepparton and District are available for sale.
A database of surnames currently being researched by members and a list of links to other sites you may find of use are accessible.
Website:
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~shepfh
South Gippsland Genealogical Society
The association covers Leongatha, Korumburra and surrounding rural areas.
Numerous resources are accessible, which include:
- Books regarding the area’s past
- Local cemetery indexes
- Local School Records
- Personal Notices from Local newspapers
A database of surnames currently being researched by members is also accessible.
Website:
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~sggs
Victoria Genealogical Society
The association was founded in 1941 and now has over 6000 members. Many resources are held by the society, which include:
- Birth, Marriage and Death Records
- Cemetery Records
- Census Returns
- Electoral Rolls
- Church Records
- Family Histories
- Immigration Records
In addition, the society also has:
- Land Records
- Local Histories
- Newspapers
- Photographs
- Pioneer Registers
- School Histories and Registers
- War Records
Full details of these resources can be found by perusing their online catalogue. Some resources relate to England and Wales. You can also order LDS Films that can be perused at their Library.
Website:
http://www.gsv.org.au
Wangaratta Family History Society
The society was founded in 1985 to encourage and promote genealogical research, especially in Wangaratta and North East. Many resources are accessible in their library, some of which relate to England and Wales.
These resources include:
- CDs relating to Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia
- Cemetery Inscriptions
- England Births, Deaths and Marriages
- North East Victoria Court Records
- Pupil Registers and other School Archives
- South Australian Death Index
Other CDs include those relating to Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, USA and other countries.
A database of surnames currently being researched by members is accessible.
Website:
http://www.wfhs.org.au/
West Gippsland Genealogical Society
The association was established in 1983 to encourage and promote genealogy and also to preserve records and documents referring to West Gippsland. They have transcribed some school records from West Gippsland and also have a list of local cemetery records.
Many archives can be accessed in their Library, including:
- Australian Pastoral Directory 1931
- Birth, Marriage and Death Indexes
- Cemetery Transcriptions
- Census Returns
- Colonial Convict Movements 1827-1853
- Convicts Records
- Directories
- Early Pioneers Indexes
- Electoral Rolls
- England and Wales Death Index
Archives also incorporate:
- Genealogical Research Directories 1990/1999 and 2000/2002
- GRD (Genealogical Research Directory) 1994-2007
- Immigration Records
- Index to Griffith’s Valuation of Ireland 1848-1864
- Lanarkshire Seamens’ Crewlists 1851
- Land Records
- Maps
- Newspapers
- Renfrewshire Seamens’ Crewlists 1851
- Shire Rate Books
Some of these resources relate to England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
Some books have been published regarding the genealogy and stories of the first settlers of West Gippsland from 1858 (Joseph Hennery Jackson) to 1925, an index of which is accessible on their site.
There is also a list of surnames currently being researched by members.
Website:
http://www.westgippslandgenealogy.com
Wodonga Family History Society
Many archives are held by the society, including:
- Cemetery Records
- Maps
- Monumental Inscriptions Indexes
- Rate Books
- Reference Books
Some publications are available for sale, which include cemetery inscriptions, Wodonga burial registers 1861-1937 and 1938-2004, Petty Sessions Transcriptions and Pupil Registers.
Website:
http://wodongafamilyhistory.org