ABOUT US
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 |