Family History Groups

Researching your family history is connecting to the past.

We know that connecting with others increases our sense of wellbeing, knowing your family history stimulates your mind, places things in perspective, increases an understanding of your cultural background and where you have come from, increases our socialization and sense of nostalgia and more. Hobbies are good for you!

It is also about connecting with others who may be researching your family and being able to collaborate on that research journey. There is also a wider community that people can connect with, all with that common interest of uncovering stories and learning research strategies and new resources, helping each other and inspiring new ideas.

Consider joining a Family History group! We have two at Yarra Plenty Regional Library:

DPS Family History Group:

The Melbourne DPS (Dead Persons Society) group acknowledged their 30th anniversary in 2023. They meet at Watsonia Library on the fourth Sunday of the month 1.30pm to 4.30pm.  With some long term members, there is a wealth of knowledge ready to help and share information. Sessions sometimes include guest speakers or a focus on a specific subject.

Ivanhoe Genies:

The Ivanhoe Library Genealogy group meet on the first Saturday of the month in the local history room on level two of the building with access to a couple of computers and the Genealogy Reference Collection with the opportunity to look up surname history or specialist research guides for example.

What to bring:
A notebook and pen or laptop, your questions and queries, genealogy successes and challenges to share.

Beginners welcome. Bookings encouraged. 

YPRL provides access to Ancestry Library Edition, Find My Past Library Edition, British Newspapers Archive and Gale Primary Sources. See our Family History page for more information.