Family historians from Australasia and beyond will have access to some of the world's leading genealogists, historians and academics from March 21-24 as Brisbane hosts Queensland's largest family history conference for 30 years, Connections 2025.

Hundreds of family historians will discover the latest in family history research techniques including emerging technologies, learn how to extract clues from documents and separate fact from fiction for the first conference hosted by the Genealogical Society of Queensland (GSQ) at Brisbane Technology Park, Eight Mile Plains.

A wide-ranging program of 48 sessions addressing the conference themes, "Diaspora - Migration in all its forms", "Looking ahead - what are the opportunities" and "Local History and its impact on our research" has been designed to excite and inform both amateur and professional family historians.

GSQ conference convenor David Barnes said hundreds of delegates had registered ahead of the March 10 deadline and he expected a last-minute rush to book for the conference which had been two years in the planning.

"The response has been excellent particularly from those coming from Europe and the United States to both present and attend. Delegates will have access to a wealth of knowledge about family history today," he said.

» Genealogical Society of Queensland will host family history conference Connections 2025 in Brisbane next month. Image courtesy Unsplash. Click to download high res image.

World experts headline program

Five world-leading family history experts will present Master Classes and sessions on various topics throughout the conference. They are internationally known lecturer and faculty member at various genealogical institutes, Judy Russell of the United States; academic, author and TV presenter best known for his work on Who Do You Think You Are, Dr Nick Barratt of the United Kingdom; professor of heritage and digital humanities at the University of New England, Dr Hamish Maxwell-Stewart; language specialist and former University of Queensland academic, Emeritus Professor Roland Sussex of Brisbane and DNA specialist, researcher, author and accomplished national and international speaker, Helen Smith who will present a Master Class looking at DNA analysis and case studies (8am, March 22).

Seven speakers will represent the conference sponsors – FamilySearch.com; Imaging Australia and New Zealand; Ancestry.com; National Archives of Australia; Queensland Family History Society Inc; Gould Genealogy and History and Worthington Clark. Other speakers will include family historians, professional and amateur genealogists, academics, researchers and storytellers.

"Some Master Classes have sold out but there are a few places left for latecomers who still have time to register and book their spot," Mr Barnes said.

The conference will combine the 17th Australasian Conference on Genealogy and Heraldry and 5th History Queensland State Conference. It will also include a trade fair showcasing products and services offered by family history businesses, suppliers and special interest groups.

In an exclusive for delegates, GSQ’s resource centre at Wishart will be open on Friday, March 21. A gala dinner featuring guest speaker Professor Roly Sussex will be held on Saturday, March 22 and heritage tours of historic Brisbane landmarks and sites will be offered on Monday, March 24.

Globally, family history research is identified as one of the top leisure pursuits in the world and is a part of multi-billion-dollar industry. Brisbane last hosted a large-scale family history conference in 1994.

Conference details:

• Venue: Brisbane Technology Park, 1 Clunies Ross Court, Eight Mile Plains
• Cost: $515 (three days), $260 (daily pass) and $75 per Master Class
• Extensive program of 48 presentations including six Master Classes
• Exhibitors’ trade fair open to the public Friday-Sunday
• Exclusive access to GSQ’s resource centre, 25 Stackpole Street, Wishart on March 21
• Book launch of "One Free Woman - The True Story of Convict Hannah Rigby" by Toowoomba author, editor, and librarian Jane Smith, 5.30pm, March 21
• Gala dinner, March 22
• Heritage tours of historic Brisbane sites on March 24
• Registration closes March 10

» For detailed interviews with guest speakers, visit the Connections 2025 media page