Loading... Please wait...Categories
- GSV Research & Services
- GSV Events
- GSV Membership
- GSV Publications
- Australia
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
- England
- Ireland
- Scotland
- Wales
- Asia and Pacific
- Canada
- Europe
- New Zealand
- USA
- West Indies
- Archival Storage
- Charts
- Computer Books
- Donations
- Family Histories
- Genealogy Software
- Getting Started & Guides
- Gift Ideas
- Magazines
- Miscellaneous Subjects
- Occupations
- Scrapbooking
- Stamps
- Vouchers
- Writing and Publishing
Our Newsletter
- Home
- About us
About us
The Society was officially formed on 17 March 1941 and has moved from a handful of people to an organization of approximately 6,000 members.
During this development the service provided to members moved from a small group of volunteers to the employment of staff to assist the Society's growing needs. There are now six paid staff and over 150 volunteers assisting with the far ranging needs of the members.
Six decades of development have seen vast changes. More and more reference books, indexes, journals, microfilm and computer resources have become available. The use of computers, and the technological changes they have brought, greatly assist researchers.
In 2003 the GSV became a Licensed Film Centre for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This allows the ordering of films from the vast collection of the LDS church to be ordered and viewed on our premises.
You can while away many enjoyable hours in the GSV Library. The massive collection contains approximately 18,000 books, 56,000 microfiche, 1,350 microfilms and many pamphlets, maps, periodicals, CDs and computer databases. The computerised library catalogue enables easy access to the collection and is also available online GSV Library Catalogue. Over 30 microfiche readers, 8 microfilm readers and 30 computers, are available for library users.
In August 2001 the society felt the need to develop some guidelines to assist family historians in the collection and use of information collected. The result of this was the Ethics Policy, which we encourage all family historians to follow.
PURPOSES OF THE SOCIETY
The Principal Objects are detailed in clause 2(a)-(g) of the Statement of Purposes. In a paraphrase, they are: To assist the members in tracing their ancestors.
Council is committed to this objective as the under-pinning of the society’s work and its reason for existence. Members’ interests are best protected whilst this objective is pursued.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
- Access to a team of friendly volunteer research assistants trained to help you with our library resources
- Access to our comprehensive library collection of indexes, microforms, books, CDs and searchable digital resources such as directories and gazettes
- Free library access to Ancestry, FindMyPast, British Origins, Burke's Peerage Online and Documents Online
- Our award-winning quarterly journal Ancestor
- Online access to enhanced library catalogue and databases, including members’ interests in Victoria
- Free publication in the 'Surname Interest' feature in Ancestor (one per year)
- Online access to our enhanced library catalogue and databases including Genealogical Index of Names (GIN), containing nearly four million entries
- RSS links to new material as it becomes available
- Online access to Guided Research for Australian states, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Ireland. the best starting point for newcomers to genealogy
- Free eResearch service for short research requests
- Two hours free research per year for members residing more than 100 kms from Melbourne
- Discount on our extensive range of family history products and services
- Classes on computer based resources
- Talks each Thursday 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm
- Substantial discounts on seminars, lectures, tutorials and educational programs
- Special Interest Groups and Discussion Circles