Family History Society of Rockingham and Districts

An Affiliated Society of Family History WA

About Us

Management Committee 2023-2024

President
Vacant

Secretary
Bev Morrey

Membership Secretary
Chris Dodson

Treasurer
Leon Daly

Fundraising Coordinator
Vacant

Publicity Officer
Betty Vanderlande

Library Coordinator
Verna Nazzari

Program Planner
Peter Godfrey

The management committee is elected annually in May

Appointed Positions

Newsletter Editor
Vacant

Website Administrator
Amanda Batterham

Society History

In 1991 enthusiasts of genealogy and family history established a research base in the Rockingham Museum. The Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc., based in Bayswater, required a minimum of 25 people to form a regional Branch; the group in Rockingham and districts provided 45 members when it was constituted as the ninth Branch of WAGS on 1 December 1992. When WAGS restructured its organisation in 2000, it lopped off its branches allowing us to become an independent society; the Family History Society of Rockingham & Districts Inc. was incorporated as of 1 April 2000.

Society Milestones

20 Jul 1991

First meeting of Rockingham genealogical enthusiasts

1 Feb 1992

Formation of Rockingham District Genealogy Group and Interim Committee

1 Dec 1992

Rockingham Branch of Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc. constituted

6 Feb 1992

Inaugural Annual General Meeting, Rockingham Branch and Election of Officers

1 Aug 1994

Moved Library resources from Rockingham Museum into Lotteries House

Jul 1995

First edition of Between the Lines, quarterly newsletter

2 Aug 1995

First Genealogy for Beginners’ Course conducted at Rockingham TAFE

2 Dec 1995

First Members’ Interests Directory published

12 Feb 1996

Acquisition of first computer for the Library

29 Sep 1996

WAGS Country Branch Conference hosted by Rockingham Branch

7 Dec 1996

Purchased St Catherine’s Death Index

1 Jan 1997

Library Sub-Committee formed

May 1997

First Library Catalogue generated

Jul 1997

Early Schools Records Project commenced

8 Sep 1997

Branch testimony – Parliamentary Inquiry into the Retention of the Census

Nov 1997

First Library Volunteers Workshop

3 Jan 1998

Launch of the Travelling Road Show (mobile display material)

1 Apr 2000

Family History Society of Rockingham & Districts Inc. established

Jul 2000

Society’s first website established (Schools Project)

12 Jul 2003

WAGS Affiliates Conference hosted by Rockingham Society

Mar 2006

London, Australia and Ireland Special Interest Groups formed

6 Apr 2006

First Strategic Plan implemented

1 May 2007

Internet launched in the Library

30 Sep 2009

Library Sub-Committee suspended

26 Jan 2012

Awarded the Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award

1 Apr 2012

New Website launched

14 -15 Sep 2012

WAGS Affiliates Conference hosted by Rockingham Society

15 Dec 2012

Rockingham & Districts Schools Record Project data went online at ancestry.com