Hervey Bay Family History Association Inc. 

The Hervey Bay Family History Assoc Incorporated is a non-profit organization established for the benefit of all who are interested in researching their family history.

The Association was formed in 1995 with 18 members using the facilities and storage space of Australia’s Immigration & Family History Centre. This centre was owned by Janet Reakes and Eileen Johnson. Well known, professional genealogists.

In the year 2000 the then Hervey Bay Council invited the group to transfer to the Public Library and manage their proposed Family History Room. After much negotiation between Council, the University of Queensland and the Association, the proposal was accepted and a Memorandum of Understanding signed.

On the 22nd May 2000 the Association moved to the Hervey Bay Library in Old Maryborough Road, Pialba. Volunteers made themselves available to assist researchers and, over the years, they have created a friendly and informative group willing to assist all patrons to the room, gaining a reputation Australia wide and overseas for their assistance to those seeking their family history.

Resources of the Association and the Library are combined and volunteers available in the family history room six days a week.

There are extensive records on Microfilm/fiche, CDs and books in the HBFHA room, to help you trace your family's genealogy. These include local newspapers on microfilm and local cemetery records.

Online research tools such as Ancestry, Find My Past, British Newspapers and many more are also available.
Our objectives are –

• To purchase genealogical records of benefit to the community
• To fund raise for the purchase of these records
• To oversee the security of the records
• To provide and accessible and friendly environment that will encourage people to visit and use the records obtained by the Association

Membership

How to Join

Anyone may join the Association. Cost is:

• New Member Joining Fee - $10 single, $20 Family
• Single Member Renewal - $10
• Family Member Renewal - $15

Annual Memberships fall due in June each year. General meetings for members are held 3 times per year.

Members are encouraged to participate by becoming involved with projects including assisting people undertake research and helping with indexing projects. Because of the relationship with Fraser Coast Council all volunteers are required to complete Council’s Volunteer Application form and attend Occupational Health & Safety training.