Featured Profiles
Judy Russell - Featured Speaker
Judy G. Russell, The Legal Genealogist®, is a genealogist with a law degree. She writes, teaches and lectures on a wide variety of genealogical topics, providing expert guidance through the murky territory where law and family history intersect. A Colorado native with roots deep in the American south on her mother’s side and entirely in Germany on her father’s side, she holds a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and a law degree from Rutgers School of Law-Newark. Before she retired, she worked as a newspaper reporter, trade association writer, legal investigator, defense attorney, federal prosecutor, law editor and, for more than 20 years, as an adjunct member of the faculty at Rutgers Law School. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the National Genealogical Society and numerous state and regional genealogical societies. A recipient of the Silver Tray Award from the Utah Genealogical Association and the 2017 Award of Excellence from the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, she now serves as a member of the NGSQ editorial board. An internationally-known lecturer and course coordinator and faculty member at numerous genealogical institutes, she holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist® and Certified Genealogical Lecturer℠ from the Board for Certification of Genealogists®. Her award-winning blog appears at The Legal Genealogist® website (https://www.legalgenealogist.com).
Dr Nick Barratt - Featured Speaker
Dr Nick Barratt is best known for his work on the TV show Who Do You Think You Are, and has written various history books. He is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a teaching fellow at the University of Dundee and visiting academic at the Open University.
Hamish Maxwell-Stewart is a professor of heritage and digital humanities at the University of New England and the CEO of Digital History Tasmania. He has authored many books and articles exploring the ways in which digital techniques can be used to shed fresh light on Australia’s convict past.
Roland (Roly) Sussex - Conference Dinner Speaker
"A nym by another other name might not smell sweet"
Emeritus Professor Roland Sussex OAM, FQA, Chevalier des Palmes Académiques Roland (Roly) Sussex (M.A. Hons Canterbury; PhD London) is a specialist in language, communication and culture, and health communication. He was Professor of Applied Language Studies at the University of Queensland from 1989 until 2010. Before that he taught Linguistics and Russian at the University of Reading (UK) and Monash University in Melbourne, and was the foundation professor of Russian at the University of Melbourne from 1977 to 1989. He is currently Research Professor in the Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation, and in the School of Languages and Cultures, at the University of Queensland. Since "retiring" he has become involved in social issues as a public intellectual. He was chair of the Library Board of Queensland from 2009 to 2014, and then Deputy Chair (2014-2016). He was President of the Alliance Française of Brisbane (2010-2017), and is currently President of the English Speaking Union of Queensland (2018-). In 2012 he was made Patron of the Institute of Professional Editors. He is co-editor of the international journal Intercultural Communication Studies, and is a member of the editorial boards of a number of academic journals. His current research is focused on language, culture and society, technology, and, more recently, pain and health. He is a member of the PainLang Research Group at the University of Queensland, which is investigating the use of language in the diagnosis, treatment and management of pain (http://www.uq.edu.au/painlang/). His most recent major publications are The Slavic languages with Paul Cubberley, Cambridge University Press, 2006); Andy Kirkpatrick and Roland Sussex (eds), English as an international language in Asia: Implications for language education. Berlin and London: Springer-Verlag, 2012); and Andy Curtis and Roland Sussex (Eds). (2018). Intercultural communication in Asia: Education, language and values. Berlin and London: Springer Verlag. And of course Word for today (University of Queensland Press, 2021). Roly Sussex wrote a weekly column on language for the Brisbane Courier-Mail from 2006 to 2021. His talkback radio program A Word in Your Ear has been broadcast every week to Queensland on ABC radio since 1997, and for the last 20 years to South Australia. His Queensland broadcasts are podcast by the ABC: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/brisbane/programs/saturdaymorning/a-word-in-your-ear/ https://www.abc.net.au/radio/brisbane/programs/saturdaymorning/woofties/ When he is not engaged in researching and writing about language, communication, culture and health, he works on his garden and acreage, rides road bikes and mountain bikes, and indulges his passion for classical music. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2012, and was a made a Chevalier des Palmes Académiques by the French Government in 2017, and a member of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2020.
Sponsor Speakers Profile
Ian Chambers
Ian is a talented engineer and developer who began his career in software development making web and mobile games. He has worked for FamilySearch for over ten years, first as a JavaScript developer, and for the last six years as a Technical Product Manager. Recently, he has been closely involved in FamilySearch’s use of Artificial Intelligence and the development of the ‘Get Involved’ volunteer experience and mobile application. Ian holds a Bachelor’s in Science (Physics) from Brigham Young University and a Master of Business Administration from the Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business.
Max Petts
Max Petts, Sales and Marketing Director at Imaging Australia & New Zealand (IANZ), joined the team in 2023, bringing dynamic expertise in transforming organisations of all sizes. With a passion for innovation and preserving history through cutting-edge digitisation, Max is committed to leading the future of business and technology.
Jason Reeve & Jody Taylor
Join Jason Reeve (Head of Content & Community AU & NZ) and Jody Taylor (Digitisation Specialist AU & NZ) as they share insight into identifying collections to digitise, developing partnerships with National and State-level archives, and digitising associated collections for publication on Ancestry.com. With over two decades at Ancestry between them, you’re bound to learn something new, and perhaps a little about what’s coming soon…
Cara Downes
Cara Downes is an archivist who has worked for the National Archives of Australia for almost 20 years and is currently the State Manager of the Queensland Office. Cara has had extensive archives experience both in Australia and the United Kingdom where she worked for the Oxford University Archives. Cara is passionate about public access and making the archival collection available and discoverable.
Alex Daw & Charlotte Sale
Alex Daw: With a background in libraries and education, Alex brings her enthusiasm for family history to life, both in person and through her popular blog, FamilyTreeFrog. A dedicated volunteer at the Queensland Family History Society and the Coordinator of National Family History Month 2023, Alex loves helping others discover their roots. Charlotte Sale: A seasoned genealogist with more than three decades of experience and training, Charlotte has a talent for solving complex family puzzles. She has now researched her family in more than ten countries. A passionate storyteller, her engaging presentations make her a favourite in the genealogy community.
Rosemary Koppittke
Rosemary has been tracing her family history since 1985. She is a Fellow of the Queensland FHS and in 2006 received the AFFHO Award for Meritorious Services to Family History.
Conference Speakers Profile
Jill Ball
Jill Ball (aka GeniAus) from Lake Macquarie NSW is an amateur genealogist who has travelled widely in search of ancestors. She uses social media to share her enthusiasm for technology and genealogy.
John Boeren
John Boeren is one of few full-time professional genealogists in the Netherlands with 35+ years of experience. He serves as President of the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Greg Carlill
Greg is a family historian with 35 years of experience, tracing roots to Ireland, Scotland, England, and early Australia. He leads GSQ's DNA Interest Group.
Pauleen Cass
Pauleen has been researching her family history since 1986 and remains obsessed with the joys of discovering new family information and sharing it with family. In 2003 she published her Kunkel family history, Grassroots Queenslanders: the Kunkel family which was the winner of the 2004 Alexander Henderson Award (AIGS) and joint winner of the 2004 QFHS Queensland Family History Book Award. In 2006 she gained an Advanced Diploma in Local Studies by online study through Oxford University. She took the leap into the blogging world in 2009 and writes about family history as well as her interests in East Clare and Dorfprozelten emigrants to Australia.
Linda Coonan
With a passion for learning peoples’ stories, I have a particular interest in researching the lives of 19th century Chinese men and their families.
Megan Crook
Megan is a historian, genealogist and librarian whose work sees her recording, preserving, and sharing local and family history in her community. She holds master’s degrees from the University of New England and Charles Sturt University. Megan’s diverse research interests include Australian and British history, church history, and oral history.
Belinda Daly
Belinda Daly is the founder of the St Helena Island community. She multitasks between being an Ecotourism lecturer, cultural heritage interpreter, writer and history researcher.
Simon Davies
Simon Davies is the founder of WeAre.xyz, an ingenious social archive platform for genealogists and their families, and a trustee of the Shropshire Family History Society.
Kerry Farmer
Kerry Farmer B.Sc., B.A., F.S.A.G., is a researcher, author, presenter and teacher in genealogical studies. She is a Fellow and also Director of the Society of Australian Genealogists.
Maggie Gaffney
Maggie Gaffney is a professional genealogist and speaker living in Wellington, New Zealand. She is a tutor with the Institute of Heraldic & Genealogical Studies and holds their Diploma in Genealogy as well as an Advanced Diploma in Local History from the University of Oxford.
Janis Hanley
Dr Janis Hanley is a resident adjunct with the Griffith Centre for Cultural and Social Research. She attained her PhD from Griffith University in the field of critical heritage. Her work explores creative representations of living heritage, drawn from memory, place, archives, genealogy, and story. Janis’s research focus is connections, and intra-actions, centring on voices not usually heard. Together with Jan Richardson, Janis is co-founder of the Facebook page, ‘Journeys into Queensland’s Chinese Past’ — https://www.facebook.com/QldChinesePast/. She has also researched the Chinese communities of Annerley-Stephens (inner southside Brisbane) and the Chinese Market Gardens Croydon, with the support of a Griffith University Fellowship.
Jane Harding
Jane Harding is a professional historian who has been hunting ancestors (her own and other people’s) and uncovering their stories for over 30 years. Most recently she has been Heritage Coordinator at Noosa Council. Her work has been recognised with several awards and she is a member of the Professional Historians Association (Queensland).
Jennifer Harrison
Dr Jennifer Harrison is with the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry at The University of Queensland. As the first Queensland female candidate, she attained the SAG Diploma of Family History Studies in 1981. Her international publishing and lecturing commitments include several AFFHO conference presentations since Canberra 1986. Her own family history has been explored for all but one forebear back to 1800 including one unbroken line from Charlemagne although she never ceases seeking an 1814 London-born Tom Jones. Jennifer’s links with world-wide family history and historical societies have brought delight as does her role as proud patron of the Genealogical Society of Queensland
Liesl Harrold
Liesl has spent forty years researching, including managing the DATSIP Work Histories team and completing a thesis on Queensland’s Treasury Building. She completed the Society of Australian Genealogists’ Diploma of Family Historical Studies in 2018. Family history is her passion, and she loves coaching others to find their connections.
Shauna Hicks
Tracing her family history since 1977, Shauna Hicks OAM is a Fellow of QFHS; Patron of History Queensland and a recipient of AFFHO’s Services to Family History Award.
Caylie Jeffery & Kerry Forsythe
Kerry Forsythe and Caylie Jeffery aim to preserve and share Paddington Queensland’s history through a digital platform. Using social media and online connections, they've collected stories, photos, and memories from locals. Their work has helped strengthen the community's sense of identity and connection to its past.
Darryl Low Choy
Emeritus Professor (Major General retd) DARRYL LOW CHOY, AM, MBE, RFD, PhD Darryl is a distinguished town planner, a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and Fellow of Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand. He served as a Major General in the Australian Army and is a Professor Emeritus at Griffith University. A genealogy enthusiast, he holds leadership roles in historical societies and has a deep interest in his Chinese and English heritage.
Carole McCulloch
Carole - addicted to genealogy, writing, and using artificial intelligence for ancestral storytelling - weaves all three together in resources and courseware at the Essential Genealogy Academy.
Perry McIntyre
Perry has worked as a genealogist and historian for over 40 years. She has published and spoken extensively on nineteenth immigration and family history, particularly Irish.
Sharyn Merkley
Sharyn Merkley has researched her family history for over thirty years. In 2017, as a result of her passion for social and family history, she published “Brisbane Burns: How the great fires of 1864 shaped a city and its people. She has contributed articles to the Genealogical Society of Queensland’s blog, and magazine, Generation. After careers in computer programming and primary education, Sharyn has also completed a Diploma in Family History. As a volunteer with the Queensland Women’s Historical Association archives team Sharyn is researching and collecting women’s stories.
Andrew Redfern
Andrew is a keen family historian who has unearthed an interesting array of ancestors including convicts, murderers, priests, travelling musicians and the odd asylum inmate. An active member of the Society of Australian Genealogists, he has a particular interest in utilising technology more effectively in the work of family historians and sharing findings in creative ways.
Neil Renaud
A retired TAFE college librarian, with a lifelong interest in history, and since 2010/11 family history, discovering Huguenot ancestry (“Renault”) originating in France (1500s), subsequently moving to Germany (1700s), then Australia (1884). Committee memberships: Huguenot Society of Australia, Colo Shire Family History Group (Secretary), Friends of Belmont House (Secretary) and formerly tennis administration. Produced many publications, articles and presentations.
Jan Richardson
Jan Richardson is a PhD candidate at Griffith University researching non-European convicts and Indian and Chinese indentured labourers (‘coolies’) imported into Queensland prior to 1860.
Sally Romano
Sally Romano is a qualified, consulting genealogist who specialises in research optimisation. She loves sharing the joy of organised genealogy with her 20,000 Facebook followers and through her online courses. Sally researches for the Who Do You Think You Are? TV show and is the author of the popular Share Your Life Story Book series.
David Ryan
David Ryan MA DIPGEN is a professional genealogist and historical researcher based in Cork city, Ireland.
Kay Ryan
Kay Ryan is a retired magistrate of the Magistrates Court of Queensland. She has a keen interest in history, particularly family, local and social history and first started researching her family history in the 1990s. Apart from a Bachelor of Laws, Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a Master of Laws from Queensland University of Technology, Kay holds a Graduate Diploma in Local and Applied History and a Master of History from University of New England. She was involved with the establishment of History Queensland Inc. and served on its committee as its treasurer for a number of years until her appointment as a magistrate in 2008. She also served on the Public Records Review Committee from 2003 to 2008, as a community representative. Whilst still doing some magisterial relief work, retirement has enabled Kay to pursue her interest in history, and she is the current president of History Queensland. Her first non-fiction book about her German ancestors in Queensland was published in 2022 and she is currently researching and writing about her husband’s ancestors. Her other interests include music and theatre, performing with the Toowoomba Choral Society.
Stephanie Ryan
When Stephanie Ryan joined the public library service in 1996 her research focused on the origins of Queenslanders, their paths to Australia, their experiences where they settled and their local communities. This has led her to indexing and research projects, as well as presentations shedding light on their stories.
Charlotte Sale
A seasoned genealogist with more than three decades of experience and training, Charlotte has a talent for solving complex family puzzles. She has now researched her family in more than ten countries. A passionate storyteller, her engaging presentations make her a favourite in the genealogy community.
Cathie Sherwood
Passionate about history and dedicated to family history, Cathie transitioned from a 20-year career as a university academic to applying her expertise in education and technology to Irish, English, and Scottish research, as well as genetic genealogy. As the founder of Family History Academy, she curates online courses, while her professional research service, Ancestor Discovery, solves complex genealogical puzzles. Cathie holds a master’s degree in education along with qualifications in teaching, history and computer education, as well as a Diploma in Family Historical Studies from the Society of Australian Genealogists. She is Chair of the International Affairs Committee for the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), following her role as a Director on the APG Board in 2022. An active international speaker, Cathie has been invited to deliver the keynote address at the 2024 Professional Management Conference (APG) and continues to seek innovation in family history education.
Anna Shnukal
Dr Anna Shnukal's connection with Torres Strait began in 1980. Her initial interest in language now includes history and custom. Anna has authored or edited over 100 publications, reports and conference papers and her database of over 1600 family genealogies has become essential to explaining the deeper background to historical events.
Helen Smith
Helen is a speaker, DNA specialist, researcher, and author with a strong interest in Australian, English, medical and social history who speaks nationally and internationally.
Dianne Snowden
Dr Dianne Snowden AM is an historian and genealogist. Dianne was a founder member of the Female Convicts Research Centre and is currently President. She is also President of the Friends of the Orphan Schools, which she founded in 2007, and the Australasian Association of Genealogists and Record Agents. She is a Director of the Society of Australian Genealogists. She is the author or co-author of a number of publications about convict women and the children of the Orphan Schools. Dianne was admitted to the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women in 2017. She was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2017 for significant service to the community as an historian and genealogical researcher, to higher education, and to heritage groups.
Jacqueline Stockdale
Dr Jacqueline Stockdale has worked as an Archivist at Queensland State Archives since 2019 and has a History PhD from James Cook University.
Eve Terry
Eve Terry is Manager of Public Engagement for the National Archives of Australia, Queensland. Eve is passionate about connecting people to their heritage through Australian Government records,
Dorothy Wickham & Anne Stewart
Dorothy is a professional historian and author. Her research on the Artemisia, fostered an interest in the women on that vessel, who were amongst the first government assisted free settlers to Moreton Bay. Anne E Stewart works as a storyteller, writer and teacher. Passionate about bringing stories to life through captivating voice and written narratives Anne E. is looking forward to presenting the stories of the women of the Artemisia.
Elizabeth Walsh
Elizabeth Walsh is a PhD candidate in History at the University of Tasmania. Her current research uses GIS technology both to situate nineteenth-century settler women in the landscape of the northern Flinders Ranges and to tell their stories to an online audience.