Looking forward to looking back
FamilyHistoryWA (FHWA) is the largest family history society in Western Australia. We assist members to research family history in Western Australia, as well as all corners of the world.
The Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc, or WAGS, was formed on the 1st January, 1979 with the aim of promoting, encouraging and fostering the study, science and knowledge of genealogy. This main objective encompasses many other secondary objectives such as transcribing and indexing records, and provides a forum for people with a common interest in family history.
We have a large family history lending Library which enables members to borrow books on their areas of interest and or research. Our Library enables members and visitors to conduct their own research using the facilities, which include Books, CD-ROMs microfiche, microfilm, and connections to the Internet.
FHWA has a rich program of educational courses, information seminars, lectures and workshops on a wide range of topics to assist members and the public in learning more about their areas of interest. We utilise the expertise of local, interstate and international speakers. We also have a number of members who specialise in particular areas of interest and meet to assist each other, and who are there to help each other in overcoming difficulties that arise in research. They meet regularly and have their own sections on this website.
The Western Australian Genealogical Society was formed on the 1st January 1979. 
Its aim was to promote, encourage and foster the study, science and knowledge of genealogy. This main objective encompasses many other secondary objectives, such as transcribing and indexing records, and provides a forum for people with a common interest in Family History.
Foundation Members
Bruce Bott, Peter Bottrell, Jan Bray, Anthonera & Jacolia Butler, Yvonne Coate, Brian & Val Croker, Glenis Piercy, Ted Davis, Tony Harrop, Peter Herlihy, Ruth Keane, Gloria Michalik, Daphne Nichols, DE & PG Shepherd, Teresa Thomson, Jan Trotter, Leo Van de pas, and Bob Wiltshire.
Life Fellow
1986: Brian Croker (dec.)
2023 Gillian O'Mara (dec.)
Fellow
2014: Yvonne Coate (dec)
Life Members
1986: Val Croker (dec.), Rica Erickson (dec.)
1990: Joy Calder
1999: Sister Mary Albertus Bain (dec.)
2000: Alan Campbell (dec)
2002: Lyn Coy, Stella Short
2004: Loreley Moreling
2006: Martin Pinnell (dec)
2010: Malcolm Parr
2014: Lyn Watt
2015: Chris Loudon
2016: Margaret Hickey, Beverley Russell
2017: Graham Bown (dec), Margaret Pike, Mary Rogers
2019: Liana Fitzpatrick, Edwina Shooter
2022: Ian Simon
2023: Judith Ballantyne
2024: Ian Barnes, Nigel Tyson
2025 Lesley Sylvester, Mike Murray
2026: Marilyn Dimond, Neil Bradley
Unknown date: Wendy Maslin, Les Williams (dec)
Honorary Members
Ruth Reid AM
Patrons
1987-1989 Professor Gordon Stanley Reid AC, Governor of Western Australia
1990-1993 Sir Francis Burt, AC KCMG QC, Governor of Western Australia
1994-1995 Professor Peter J Boyce AO FAIIA, Governor of Western Australia
1996-2019 Ruth Reid AM CIT WA
2019-2022 The Hon. Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia
Past Presidents
1979-1990 Brian Croker (dec)
1990-1992 Raema Gooch
1993-1996 Maurice Weston
1996-1998 Martin Pinell (dec)
1999-2001 Lyn Coy
2002-2004 Bevan Carter
2005-2008 Ian Scott
2008-2011 Liana Fitzpatrick
2011-2013 Graham Bown (dec)
2013-2016 Liana Fitzpatrick
2016-2019 Ian Simon
2019-2019 Anthony E Turner
2019-2021 Christine Harris (Acting)
2021-2022 Deborah Harvey & Garth Walter (Acting)
2022-2025 Garth Walter
1979 - Western Australian Genealogical Society is formed - January 1
1979 - Inaugural General Meeting held at 112 Hay St West Perth on January 31
1979 - Inaugural Committee Meeting - February 6
1979 - First edition of Western Ancestor published
1982 - First Directory of Members' Interests published
1984 - Application to WA Register General for reduction in cost of certificates relating to events at least 60 years old
1985 - Incorporation as an Association
1985 - Purchase of Unit 6 48 May St, Bayswater
1985 - First country seminar Family History held in Albany on July 21-22
1986 - First microfilm reader purchased in March
1986 - Library Fund endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient for taxation purposes
1987 - Commenced volunteer service at State Library of WA.
1996 - Website launched
1996 - Purchase of Unit 4 48 May St, Bayswater
2000 - Hosted 9th Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry September
2013 - Operating name of the Society changed to FamilyHistoryWA and new logo adopted
2019 - 40th Anniversary of the Society celebrated
2021 - FHWA awarded Fellow of the Library Board of Western Australia for 30 years of voluntary service to the State Library
2022 - New website launched at Annual General Meeting
President - Christine Hariis
Vice President - vacant
Treasurer - Neil Bradley
Secretary - Diane Thornton
Management Committee
- Robert Atkins
- Anne Giles
- Sue Goss
- Jean Campbell
Immediate Past President
Garth Walter
Meet the 2026 Management Committee
If you are interested in taking up a volunteer role please contact the Volunteer Liaison Officer.
AFFHO Representative - Acting Neil Bradley
Activities - Ian Simon
Archivist - vacant
Awards Convenor - Edwina Shooter
Awards Committee members:
Life Members:
Management Committee:
Ordinary Members:
Bookings Officers - Terri Usher, Chris Harris
enews Editor - Robert Atkins, Ann Oliver
Information Technology Manager - Christine Harris
Journal Editor - vacant
Librarian - Sue Goss
Membership - Vacant
Minutes Secretary - vacant
Outside Speakers Coordinator - vacant
Policy and Procedure - Robert Atkins
Projects - Karen Lemnell
Promotions Officer - Anne Oliver
Property Officer - vacant
Publications Officer - Lyn Watt
Research Officer - Ian Barnes
State Library Volunteer Coordinator - Marilyn Dimond
Volunteer Liaison Coordinator - Vacant
Webmaster - Anne Giles
|
Foundation Date |
Group |
First Convenor |
|
1981 - July |
Alan Campbell |
|
|
1982 - May |
Alan Campbell |
|
|
1982 - October |
Brian Croker |
|
|
1983 - April |
Alan Campbell |
|
|
1984 - April |
Graham Bown |
|
|
1986 - April |
European |
Raema Gooch |
|
1986 - May |
Victorian |
Lorna & Bill Bell |
|
1988 - September |
New Zealand |
Gillian O'Mara |
|
1989 |
USA & Canada |
Helen Gunnell |
|
1992 - September |
Welsh |
Betty Randall |
|
1993 - November |
Cornish |
Pat Banks |
|
1993 - February |
Swan River Pioneers |
Alan Campbell |
|
1995 - January |
East Anglian |
Liz Rushton |
|
Date Unknown |
Tasmanian |
David Storey |
|
2000 - February |
Lawrence Doran & Phillippa Ward |
|
|
2000 - May |
South-West European |
Jo Babis & Susan Salvair |
|
2000 - December |
A. John Parker |
|
|
2002 |
India |
Barbara Rosair |
|
2005 - October |
London & Home Counties |
Mike Murray & Lesley Silvester |
|
2005 |
Neil Bradley & Cynthia Brock |
|
|
2011 - October |
Chris Bell |
|
|
2012 - January |
European |
Shirley Babis |
|
2012 - December |
London & South of England |
Mike Murray & Lesley Sylvester |
|
2013 - April |
Lorraine Clarke |
|
|
2013 - September |
Diane Foster |
|
|
2015 – August |
Eastern Australia |
Edwina Shooter & |
|
2015 - October |
Angela Heymens |
|
|
2016 - January |
Cate Pearce |
|
|
2018 - August |
Liana Fitzpatrick |
|
|
2019 - November |
Christine Harris |