Society of Australian Genealogists

The Society of Australian Genealogists (SAG) is an Australian nonprofit organisation focused on genealogical education, family-history research, and the preservation and use of records relating to Australian and overseas families. Established in Sydney in 1932, it is described as the oldest family-history society in Australia. Its principal objective is to advance genealogical education by helping members and the wider public develop reliable research methods, understand historical sources, and document family histories. The society grew from a meeting held in August 1932 by people interested in family history. Its founding vision included the creation of a research library that would collect and preserve material relating to pioneering Australian families. The organisation also intended to publish a periodical describing its activities and sharing information useful to researchers. This combination of education, collecting, publishing, and member support has remained central to SAG's identity. SAG's principal facilities are in Sydney. Its archives at Richmond Villa on Kent Street hold a Manuscript and Image Collection containing more than 28,000 files. These materials include family papers, pedigrees, photographs, certificates, unpublished research notes, documents, and memorabilia from Australia and other countries. The collection has been built substantially through donations from members and their families, giving the society an important role in preserving privately held genealogical evidence. The SAG Library is a specialist reference and research library with an online catalogue. It contains published genealogical works, journals, microfilms, CDs, and other research resources, and provides access to major commercial genealogy websites. The library is available to members and non-members, supporting both experienced researchers and people beginning their family-history work. Education is delivered through seminars, lectures, workshops, discussion groups, and webinars. These activities cover research strategies, source interpretation, family history in Australia and overseas, and related local-history subjects. The society also provides networking opportunities through its membership and events. Its membership has been reported at nearly 4,000 people worldwide, indicating that its reach extends beyond its Sydney base and Australian physical collections. SAG has maintained a publishing tradition throughout its history. Its first journal, The Australian Genealogist, appeared in January 1933 and continued until 1959, when resource constraints brought the publication to an end. The quarterly journal Descent began in January 1961 and has continued as the society's principal periodical. It publishes articles on family history, local history, research techniques, resources, and Australian and international genealogy. The society also runs the annual Croker Prize biography-writing competition, named for two long-serving members. The competition encourages members to write biographies of ancestors, including people who were not publicly famous, and winning entries are published in Descent. SAG has additionally produced or contributed to works such as Rookwood Cemetery Transcriptions and a history marking its Golden Jubilee. It is a member of the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations. The organisation is managed by an executive officer and staff under the guidance of a board of directors.

The Society of Australian Genealogists was formed in Sydney following a well-attended meeting in August 1932 of people interested in family history. The proposed society was intended to create a genealogical research library and preserve records relating especially to the pioneering families of Australia. Early committee meetings were held in the Assembly Room of the Education Building in Loftus Street, Sydney. From the beginning, the organisation combined collecting activity with public education and publishing. The society's first periodical, The Australian Genealogist, began publication in January 1933. It provided a channel for reporting society activities and circulating material of interest to genealogists. Publication continued until 1959, when limited resources forced it to stop. A new journal, Descent, began in January 1961 and became the society's continuing quarterly publication. Descent covers Australian and overseas family history, local history, research methods, and relevant sources and resources. Over subsequent decades, SAG developed a substantial archival and library infrastructure. Its Manuscript and Image Collection, held at Richmond Villa on Kent Street in Sydney, includes more than 28,000 files containing family papers, pedigrees, photographs, certificates, unpublished research notes, documents, and memorabilia. Much of this material was donated by members and their families. The collection contains Australian and international material and supports research into individual families as well as broader social and local history. The SAG Library operates as a specialist genealogical reference and research library. Its holdings include books, journals, microfilms, CDs, and other published and recorded resources. An online catalogue supports discovery of its holdings, while library users can also access major commercial genealogy websites. The facility is open to both members and non-members, extending the organisation's research role beyond its membership base. Education remains the society's stated principal objective. Its program includes seminars, lectures, workshops, discussion groups, and webinars intended to improve research skills, encourage careful use of evidence, promote high standards of genealogical practice, and increase interest in family history. The organisation also provides opportunities for members to exchange knowledge and develop connections with other researchers. SAG has supported writing and preservation as well as research instruction. Its annual Croker Prize biography competition encourages the creation of detailed life histories of ancestors, whether famous or otherwise. Winning biographies are published in Descent and receive a cash prize, according to the society's reference description. The organisation has also published or contributed to cemetery transcriptions, genealogical guides, and institutional histories, including Rookwood Cemetery Transcriptions and a Golden Jubilee history covering the period from 1932 to 1982. The society's membership has been reported at nearly 4,000 people worldwide. Its notable members have included Carol Baxter, Nick Vine Hall, Lionel Gilbert, and Michelle Nichols, OAM. SAG is also a member of the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations. Its governance model consists of an executive officer and staff working under the direction of a board of directors. The organisation continues to operate from Sydney as a research, education, publishing, and preservation institution for genealogy and family history.

• 1982

  Golden Jubilee history published

  [1]Society of Australian Genealogistsen.wikipedia.org

  The society published Society of Australian Genealogists: 1932–1982: Golden Jubilee History to mark its first fifty years.

• 1961

  Descent begins publication

  [1]Society of Australian Genealogistsen.wikipedia.org

  Descent commenced as the society's quarterly journal and continued the organisation's publishing tradition.

• 1959

  The Australian Genealogist ends

  [1]Society of Australian Genealogistsen.wikipedia.org

  The society's first journal ceased publication after resource constraints made continuation impractical.

• 1933

  First journal begins publication

  [1]Society of Australian Genealogistsen.wikipedia.org

  The society launched The Australian Genealogist, its first journal, in January 1933.

• 1932

  Society founded

  [1]Society of Australian Genealogistsen.wikipedia.org

  A meeting in August 1932 led people interested in family history to establish the Society of Australian Genealogists, with plans for a research library and preservation program.

A long-established Australian authority and member organisation for genealogical education, family-history research, specialist library services, and preservation of family records.

• Research library

  SAG Library

  A specialist genealogical reference and research library in Sydney. Its holdings include books, journals, microfilms, CDs, and other family-history resources, with an online searchable catalogue and access to major commercial genealogy websites. The library is available to both members and non-members.

• Archive

  Manuscript and Image Collection

  The society's archival collection at Richmond Villa contains more than 28,000 files of family papers, pedigrees, photographs, certificates, unpublished research notes, documents, and memorabilia from Australia and overseas. Much of the material was donated by members and their families.

• Journal · 1961

  Descent

  A quarterly genealogical journal first published in January 1961. It features articles on Australian and overseas family history, local history, research strategies, and relevant sources and resources.

• Writing competition

  Croker Prize

  An annual biography-writing competition named for two long-standing society members. It encourages research-based biographies of ancestors and offers publication in Descent and a cash prize to winners.

• Education

  Genealogical education program

  A program of seminars, lectures, workshops, discussion groups, and webinars designed to improve genealogical research skills, promote sound research standards, and broaden interest in family history.

1. 1Society of Australian Genealogistsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Society of Australian Genealogists official websitesag.org.au