FamilyHistoryWA (FHWA) is excited to invite the community to its upcoming Open Days, with free admission to the Bayswater Research Centre in early May, as part of the Australian Heritage Festival.
This year’s theme, “Sharing Your Family History: Connecting with Your Family,” encourages visitors to bring along relatives and friends to explore their roots together. With access to an impressive range of research tools and resources, it’s a chance to make exciting discoveries & connections and turn them into meaningful family history stories for future sharing.
Throughout the event, guests can enjoy:
- –Guided tours of the Centre
- –Live research demonstrations
- –Informative sessions, including:
- -How to get started with researching
- -Navigating online family tree and search platforms
- -Tips for organizing and storing your research
- -Enhancing your results with smart strategies
- -Understanding the role of DNA in genealogy
Visitors can meet with volunteers and members to discuss their research interests, and learn more about the supports and community connections gained through FHWA’s special interest and project groups. A special highlight is the Display & Discussion panel presented by members of the Writers Group, showcasing creative and engaging ways to bring family stories to life.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned researcher, FHWA’s Open Days offer a fun and engaging range of activities that can be enjoyed with family and friends.
Come along, get inspired, and build on those stories that shaped your family.
To learn more about FHWA and to secure your seats for the free sessions during Open Days– visit https://www.fhwa.org.au
FHWA Open Day Sessions
Venue: FHWA Research Centre, 48 May St, Bayswater WA
SESSION 1 Monday May 5: 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Getting Started with Your Family Research Presenter: Ian Simon
Brief description: I’m curious about finding my ancestors but where do I start? Where do I find those elusive family members, who can help me and how do I record my discoveries? This session will suggest ways of improving the chances of finding them – quicker and easier.
SESSION 2 Monday May 5: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Exploring FamilySearch.org Presenter: Ian Simon
Brief description: The FamilySearch website is one of the largest websites full of billions of records and images. This session will show ways to do simple searches and then go beyond to find those harder-to-find ancestors.
SESSION 3 Wednesday May 7: 10:45 am – midday
Let’s Start Writing Family History Presenter: Writers Group Panel
Brief description: An immersive panel session presented by members of the
FHWA Writers Group, showing how to develop and share your research stories in engaging ways that go beyond just names and dates. Following a morning tea welcome at 10:45am, the panel will commence at 11am.
SESSION 4 Friday May 9: 10:30am – 11:30am
Where are your WA Ancestors Hiding Online? Presenter: Neil Bradley
Brief description: Skill up on where to look for WA records and pick up tips for following hints that lead you to find the tricky ones.
SESSION 5 Saturday May 10: Midday – 1pm
Exploring DNA in Genealogy Presenter: Chris Cavanagh
Brief description: Following a brief introduction to DNA in context to genealogy, this session will look at its advancements and applications in the industry including sites such as Ancestry DNA.
SESSION 6 Saturday May 10: 1pm – 2pm
Exploring & Understanding Ancestry.com Presenter: David Haimes
Brief description: Most people have heard of the website ancestry.com from TV advertising. David will demonstrate some tricks and hints to improve your chances of finding your ancestors.
