World-leading genealogists, historians and academics are set to converge on Brisbane as the city hosts family history conference, Connections 2025 from March 21-24.

Hundreds of family historians from throughout Australasia are expected to attend the Genealogical Society of Queensland's (GSQ) event in what will be Queensland's biggest family history conference in three decades.

Some 400 conference-goers will gather at Brisbane Technology Park, Eight Mile Plains for three days of 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".

GSQ conference convenor David Barnes said there was still time to book with registration closing on March 10.

» Genealogical Society of Queensland will host family history conference Connections 2025 in Brisbane from March 21-24. Click to download high-res image.

Exciting program celebrates family history

World-leading family history experts will present Master Classes and sessions on a wide range of topics designed to excite professional and amateur family historians.

Experts include 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; and 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 will present a session and speak at the gala dinner on March 22 while DNA specialist, researcher, author and accomplished national and international speaker, Helen Smith will present a Master Class.

Seven speakers will represent 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.

The conference will combine the 17th Australasian Conference on Genealogy and Heraldry and 5th History Queensland State Conference.

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 from March 21-March 23
• 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

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