The AFFHO Congress is the next genealogy conference I am attending. It is being held in Canberra on 26-30 March 2015. I have only recently started participation in the Australian Family History and Genealogy scene so here is a cut and paste briefing collating details from those in the know as I will be a first timer to the conference. Check out the links for more details.
What is the AFFHO?
The Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations Inc. (AFFHO) is the umbrella organisation for family history societies in the region ( Australia and NZ from what I can see). Along with the HAGSOC bring together the the triennial Australasian Congresses on Genealogy and Heraldry.
AFFHO was established in 1978 to coordinate and assist the work of Australian and New Zealand groups with interests in family history, genealogy, heraldry and related subjects.
AFFHO is managed by an elected Council comprising of a voting member from each state or territory and New Zealand and non-voting delegates from those states that have a state association. Currently these are NSW/ACT, QLD and VIC.
What is the HAGSOC?
The Heraldry & Genealogy Society of Canberra (HAGSOC) was founded in 1964 to promote and encourage the study and preservation of family history, genealogy, heraldry and allied subjects, and to assist members and others with research in these areas. They are also the host the 14th Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry, 26-29 March 2015.
Membership of the Society is open to anyone with an interest in genealogy, family history or heraldry.
About the AFFHO Congress Conference
The AFFHO Congress is a three yearly event so this is the reason I am going so soon after paying out for the big Rootstech. I just did not want to wait another three years before finding out about Australia premier family history event.
As noted on the AFFHO Congress 2015 Website it is a great opportunity for new and experienced family historians to hear many of the world’s best speakers on family history, genealogy and heraldry. Or as Pauleen Cass, Official AFFHO Congress 2015 Blogger, describes it – a must-attend event for family historians and genealogists Down Under.
Keeping up to date with conference news, events, speakers and more
- AFFHO Congress 2015 Weekly edited by Pauleen Cass
- Check out the latest tweets via GeniAus #AFFHO summary (No longer available)
- Follow the Official Congress Bloggers: Pauleen Cass, Shauna Hicks & Jill Ball. Watch out for interviews with the speakers or check back on previous posts for earlier interviews.
- Speaker profiles and links details on their sessions.
- Direct link if you wish to print off a conference program.
- Facebook Page for the 14th Australasian Congress on Genealogy & Heraldry
Not registered yet? Where to Register
Direct link to the registration page. Last booking for some functions is 13 March 2015. See important dates below.
Already registered to attend AFFHO Congress 2015?
The Registration Desk will be open, in the foyer of the National Convention Centre, on Thursday 26th March from 2pm until 5pm. You will be able to collect your Congress satchel, Congress Proceedings, lanyard and other items at that time. The Registration Desk will then be open each day of Congress from 8am.
Research Interests Register (For attendees only)
Complete the form so that your research interests are added to the Research Interest Register (RIR) is for Congress 2015 attendees. It allows Congress 2015 participants to enter information about their particular areas of interest and for participants to search and make contact.
Important Dates
13 March 2015 – Last day for booking tickets for Welcome function and Congress Dinner
26 March 2015 – Librarian Seminar at National Library of Australia
26 March 2015 – Welcome function at the Australian War Memorial, 7pm-9pm
27 March 2015 – Congress Day 1
27 March 2015 – AFFHO AGM, 4.30pm
28 March 2015 – Congress Day 2
28 March 2015 – Gala Dinner in Great Hall of Parliament House, 6.30pm for pre dinner drinks
29 March 2015 – Congress Day 3
30 March 2015 – Congress Day 4 until close at approximately 4pm.
Research Opportunities
Plan to arrive a few days early or stay after the conference is finished so you can visit or do some research. I am planning to try and get to the Australian War Memorial, National Archives and National Library. Naturally it would be best if I planned what I was going to do before actually visiting these places to get the best out of the visits.
Update: Inspiration to Attend the AFFHO Congress 2015
It was #28, the task “Plan to attend the next AFFHO congress in Canberra in March 2015” from the list 31 Genealogy Activities for Researchers during National Family History Month (August) 2014 by Shauna Hicks that helped inspire me to attend. Read more on the Family History Month Challenges.
Are you attending Congress 2015? Any speakers you don’t want to miss? Love to read your comments.
Update: Now that Congress 2015 is over many of the links are no longer available so they have be deleted. Look out for the next Congress 2018 to be held in Sydney. Congress 2018 has now been and gone too.
I’m looking forward to seeing you there Fran!
I’ll look forward to meeting you in Canberra, Fran. This will be my tenth Congress. My first was also in Canberra (1986) but on that occasion I couldn’t stay long enough to go sightseeing. This time I’ll have three extra days.
Hi Judy, I was just looking at one of your findmypast updates and wondering if you are going as I think I need a “little talking too” from an expert to better understand the site. I seem to have a mental block despite being geek at heart. Hope we can catch up. Fran
This will be a useful aude memoire for the Hangout on Air tonight. Thanks Fran.
Thanks Jill, looking forward to your Hangout tonight. Fran