Family History Programs
Whether you’re a skilled family history researcher or just getting started, join the Family History Programs for 2026. We’ve got a whole program mapped out for the year. You can book in to individual sessions or book in for all of them. Check them all out below.
Learn more about our other family and local history services.
February - Preserving your family history
Whether its documents, jewellery or anything else, correct storage and handling helps your family history survive into the future. We’ll run through some of the techniques and equipment required to keep your keepsakes.
- 2pm - 3pm
- Tuesday 17 February
Book now
March - Researching Greek Family History
Skilled researcher, Fay Karamitsos, will introduce us to some tricks and tips for researching Greek Family History.
In particular, we’ll get a good overview of using Family Search to ‘unlock’ records and discover even more about our Greek heritage.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced family history researcher, don’t miss the opportunity to learn from an exper
- 2pm - 3pm
- Tuesday 17 March
Book your spot
April - Family history and copyright
Working with information from the Australian Copyright Council, this session explores copyright and intellectual property, referencing and attribution, and a host of other issues you may come across when you want to publish your research.
- 2pm - 3pm
- Tuesday 21 April
Book your spot
May - South Asian Family History
Please note: This event has been cancelled.
May Topic: South Asian Family History
Skilled researcher, Rachel Croucher, will introduce us to some tricks and tips for researching South Asian Family History.
In particular, we’ll get a good overview of using Family Search to ‘unlock’ records and discover even more about our South Asian heritage.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced family history researcher, don’t miss the opportunity to learn from an expert.
June - Material culture and family history
We can learn a lot about human behaviour, creativity, and the impact of economic, environmental, and technological forces on people by looking at material culture. What do those family heirlooms, keepsakes, mementoes tell us about the people who owned them and ‘the times’ they lived in?
Participants are invited to bring an object from their family’s past and share what it tells about their own history.
- 2pm - 3pm
- Tuesday 16 June
Book your spot
July - Researching Chinese Family History
Researching Chinese Family History
Dr Kristy Love from the Family History Agency will introduce us all to Chinese family history research. This session will offer helpful tips for tracing for your Chinese family history. No knowledge of Chinese language is required.
- Parkdale Library
- Tuesday 21 July
- 2pm - 3pm
Book now
August - Getting started
August is Family History Month and in this session, we’re going to cover the absolute basics for anybody interested in starting their own family history.
We’ll take you through all the Kingston Libraries resources for family history research and introduce you to some of the platforms that can help you get results.
This session is for absolute beginners and we’re looking forward to helping you get started.
- Parkdale Library
- Thursday 20 August
- 2pm - 3pm
Book now
September - The Ethics of Remembering
Every family story matters - but how we tell them matters too.
Join us for this fascinating and thought-provoking session exploring the ethical side of family history research. Whether you’re just starting your family tree or already deep into your discoveries, this event will help you navigate the responsibilities that come with uncovering the past.
Together, we’ll explore:
- How to properly credit sources and build trustworthy research
- Bringing forgotten or ‘hidden’ stories to light
- Deciding which stories are yours to share
- When it might be better not to tell a story Understanding past values through a modern lens
- Spotting and avoiding misinformation
This is a unique opportunity to reflect on the stories we inherit - and the ones we pass on.
Free event, all welcome!
- Parkdale Library
- Thursday 17 September
- 2pm - 3pm
Book now
Book your spot
October - Walk and Talk Mordialloc
Discover Mordialloc’s Stories: A Guided Heritage Walk
Step into the past and experience local history in a whole new way.
Join Kingston Libraries’ Heritage Specialist for a relaxed and enriching guided walk through Mordialloc’s coastal landscape. Starting at Peter Scullin Reserve, this short 500-metre journey reveals an incredible 10,000 years of history along the Kingston coastline.
Along the way, you’ll:
- Visit the Macdonald homestead marker and explore early European settlement
- Pause in the beautiful 1925 rotunda for a cuppa and storytelling
- Hear a rare Boon Wurrung story, recorded after thousands of years of oral tradition
- Finish at the mouth of Mordialloc Creek, learning about the lifecycle of eels and why it matters today
This is history brought to life—rich in culture, stories, and connection to place.
Two dates are available.
1 October
- Thursday 1 October
- 10.30am start
- Meeting point: Peter Scullin Reserve sign on Beach Rd
- A gentle 500-metre walk, including stairs (participants must be able to walk unaided)
- Bring a raincoat or umbrella in case of rain
Book now
28 October
- Wednesday 28 October
- 10.30am start
- Meeting point: Peter Scullin Reserve sign on Beach Rd
- A gentle 500-metre walk, including stairs (participants must be able to walk unaided)
- Bring a raincoat or umbrella in case of rain.
Book now
October - DNA Testing for Family History
DNA Testing for Family History: What You Need to Know
DNA testing is transforming the way we uncover our family stories—but is it right for you?
Join experienced genealogist Jenny Coates for an informative session exploring the benefits and limitations of DNA testing in family history research. With over 40 years of experience in biography, local history, and genealogy, Jenny brings a wealth of knowledge and real-world insight to this fascinating topic.
In this session, you’ll discover:
- How DNA testing can enhance your family history research
- The advantages and potential pitfalls to be aware of
- Practical ways DNA results are used in genealogical and biographical work
Jenny also shares how her expertise supports adoptees and care leavers in reconnecting with relatives, offering a powerful perspective on the impact of this technology.
Whether you’re curious about DNA testing or already considering it, this session will help you make informed decisions about your research journey.
- Parkdale Library
- Thursday 15 October
- 2pm - 3pm
Book now
November - Jonathan Butler - Writing Your Family
From Family History to Published Story
Have you ever wondered how to turn your family history research into a book? Where do you begin—and how do you bring it all to life?
Author Jonathan Butler set out to investigate a long-standing family mystery about an unsolved murder. What followed was an extraordinary journey that uncovered a little-known chapter of Australian military history. His book, The Boy in the Dress (2022), blends true crime, history, and memoir—showing how family research, when placed in its broader context, can become a powerful and compelling narrative.
Join Jonathan for an inspiring session where he shares his experience of transforming research into storytelling. Learn practical tips, creative approaches, and how to shape your own discoveries into a story worth sharing.
Borrow Boy in the Dress
- Parkdale Library
- Thursday 19 November
- 2pm - 4pm
Book now