Activities
Victorian Family History State Conferences
Since its inception VAFHO has conducted regular family history conferences in many different
locations throughout Victoria. These popular three-day events are well attended by family
history enthusiasts from all over Australia.
Family and Local History Treasure Chest
VAFHO’s first Treasure Chest held in 2006 was envisaged as a market place for ideas, for the
sharing of information and for bringing together in one place Family and Local History Groups
from throughout the State - a place where people could come and search for their treasure. Over
120 stalls were set up with displays dotted around. Speakers covered interesting topics and
over 500 people came to look, talk, acquire and enjoy.
VAFHO plans to present this event between State Conferences in the future.
Annual Don Grant Lecture
Since 1997 VAFHO has hosted the Don Grant Lecture to promote family history education &
provide interesting speakers on a variety of family history topics. The Lecture is named in
honour of Don Grant (living legend) formally of SLV & PROV and current VAFHO committee
member.
Frances Brown Award for Excellence to Family History in
Victoria
The Frances Brown Award is named in honour of Frances Brown the first President of VAFHO and
former Genealogy and Local History Librarian at the SLV. The award was instituted to recognize
the extraordinary voluntary contributions made by many dedicated and selfless Victorian family
historians and is announced at the Victorian Family History State Conference.
VAFHO Wills & Probate Indexing Project
In November 2004, the Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU) began digitising wills and probate
files at the Public Records Office of Victoria (PROV). They can now be downloaded from the PROV
website. To enable users to access these records online via a surname search, VAFHO members
have undertaken to index these records. Lesle Berry, the Indexing Co-ordinator, has lead a team
of over 100 volunteers who have completed more than 30, 000 batches. The completed project is a
wonderful resource for all Victorians.
Seminars and Speakers
In response to the devastating 2009 Victorian bushfires VAFHO has organised a free conservation seminar Fire & Flood: Saving Your Treasures on Saturday 19th September 2009 at the SLV Theatrette. This seminar is for everyone who has an interest in preserving history for future generations.
VAFHO can supply experienced & competent speakers for member groups throughout Victoria. In
September 2007 VAFHO committee members presented an informative & entertaining seminar
titled “Diverse Deadly Details” in conjunction with Wodonga Family History Society.
VAFHO proudly supports this AFFHO initiative to promote family history in the wider community
& encourages its member groups to participate.
VAFHO is pleased to be involved with the National Archives of Australia (NAA), Public Records
Office of Victoria (PROV), Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriage and the State
Library of Victoria (SLV) in presenting the Annual Don Grant Family History Lecture.
AFFILIATIONS
