Taking Your Family History Further

Have you traced your family tree but found yourself hitting dead ends? Wondering where to look when the usual birth, death and marriage records don't provide the answers?

Join family history specialist Seonaid Harvey for an engaging, hands-on workshop designed for researchers who are ready to move beyond the basics and develop the skills used by successful genealogists.

Discover how to:

• Ask better research questions and develop effective research strategies
• Evaluate evidence and resolve conflicting information
• Use advanced search techniques in major genealogy databases including FamilySearch, Ancestry, Findmypast and MyHeritage
• Uncover hidden clues in historical newspapers
• Identify alternative sources when traditional records fall short
• Organise and document your findings to build stronger, evidence-based conclusions

Through practical exercises, real-life examples and group problem-solving, you'll learn how to think like a genealogist and approach your research with greater confidence and purpose. We'll even tackle some audience "brick walls" together and explore strategies for breaking through them.

If you've already covered the basics of family history research and are ready to make real progress on challenging ancestors and stubborn "brick walls", this workshop is for you.

Whether you're researching your New Zealand roots or overseas ancestors, you'll leave with new techniques, fresh ideas and a toolkit of resources to help take your family history research to the next level.

Date: Saturday, 21 November 2026
Time: 10.00am to 2.30pm and guided research in the Research Centre 2.30pm-5pm
Location: Whare Wānanga and Research Central
Please bring: A laptop and your own lunch.

Suitable for: Researchers with some family history experience. This is not a beginner-level session.

Don't let another family mystery remain unsolved.

Join us for an engaging and practical workshop that will give you the tools, strategies and confidence to overcome research challenges and uncover new discoveries in your family tree.

Reserve your spot today and take your genealogy skills to the next level!

Image: The tide of New Zealand’s immigration. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections NZG-19091013-0019-01.