Family History

Family history is for everybody. We all have stories in our family tree waiting to be told. Studying Family History will give you essential skills and knowledge to bring the past to life through genealogy. You’ll learn to trace ancestors in the archives and beyond, and how to share their stories for current and future generations to enjoy.

Explore your family's past. Term 1, 2024 starts 05 February.

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Explore our courses

Undergraduate Certificate in Family History

Join our vibrant learning community taught by experts

Study with other passionate family historians and learn from leading academics in history, writing and creative arts.

Develop key skills in tracing the history of any family

Take your family history research to the next level, whatever your previous education or experience

Access Ancestry Library Edition & British Newspaper Archive for free

Access innovative learning materials and online resources for family history research

Start your family history learning journey

The Undergraduate Certificate in Family History allows you to complete any four of the below units, giving you essential knowledge and tools to bring the past to life. You will trace your family experiences and understand the historical forces that shaped them.

There are four terms to the year, with two or three units offered each term. Many students study one unit per term to complete the Undergraduate Certificate in one year.

Taught by leading scholars in family history, and specialists in Australian, European and Asian histories, this practical course will assist you in exploring your family’s past and enable you to become more proficient and comfortable in a digital environment.

Study options in this degree

Foundation level units

These units are the best starting point for those commencing studies in Family History, or who are unfamiliar with university studies. We offer at least one per term to help you schedule your study plan around your lifestyle, progression through the course, and personal interest.

If you are commencing Family History for the first time, we recommend starting with Introduction to Family History.

Term 1: 5 Feb - 14 Apr 2024

Term 3: 22 Jul - 29 Sep 2024

A key unit for those new to family history and genealogy. You will learn how to plan, record and research family history as well as critically evaluate historical resources and communicate your findings.

More information about Introduction to Family History

Term 2: 29 Apr - 7 Jul 2024

Learn how to get 'forensic' about the lives of past ancestors and interpret rich, sometimes disturbing evidence from historical convict, prison and court records.

More information about Convict Ancestors

Term 3: 22 Jul - 29 Sept 2024

Develop key skills for the writing of fiction and/or non-fiction based on genealogical records. Learn to craft and polish engaging and readable multigenerational family history narratives.

More information about Writing Family History

Term 4: 14 Oct - 22 Dec 2024

Find stories in your family treasure through homes, heirlooms, albums and art. Find immediate ways to relate to your family's past with remembering, researching and communicating family history and memories.

More information about Place, Image, Object

Introductory level units

These are a level higher than foundation units, and we also offer at least one per term to help you schedule your study plan around your lifestyle, course progression, and personal interests.

Term 1: 5 Feb - 14 Apr 2024

Australia is a migrant nation, with a rich and diverse mix of peoples, languages and cultures. Develop your archival and digital research skills and learn how to find Australia and New Zealand migration records and use them to tell your family’s migration story.

More information about Migrant Families

Term 2: 29 Apr - 7 Jul 2024

Learn about the important role of oral history in documenting family history and how to incorporate oral history into your research. Develop valuable practical skills in how to record, transcribe and share oral histories in written form.

More information about Oral History

Term 3: 22 Jul - 29 Sep 2024

Discover more about your family's unique military past. This unit introduces you to researching online military records, and to contextualising diverse experiences of war with a focus on Australia and Britain during the First World War.

More information about Families and War

Term 4: 14 Oct - 22 Dec 2024

Adventure or romance, tragedy or triumph, legends of extraordinary feats or quiet tales of everyday struggles. What kinds of stories are there in your family tree? Develop key skills for the writing of fiction and/or non-fiction based on genealogical records, with an emphasis on crafting and polishing engaging and readable multigenerational family history narratives.

More information about The Family Saga

Term 4: 14 Oct - 22 Dec 2024

Learn the basics of creating a family photo essay, as you work with media professionals, bringing words and images together to communicate family stories. Hone your writing skills and learn how to create, select, and edit photographic images.

More information about The Family Photo Essay

Find out more about what you'll study, entry requirements, fees and scholarships - and to apply.

Visit the course page

More than a Story

Leading genealogy experts from Australia and beyond share their insights and research in our More than a Story webinars.  These webinars are free for anyone to view, and facilitated by your Family History lecturers. Click the video to view the full series on YouTube.

Feature Story

Tracing the lives of early Chinese families in colonial Australia

"I hadn’t known of my great grandfather’s cycling prowess, nor my great grandmother’s pioneering role in women’s cycling, and the discovery of the photograph set Mum (and me) off on a new research journey.

Every time I look at the picture I’m reminded of the serendipity of historical research, and of the intriguing connections we can find when we explore the broader stories of our ancestors’ lives."

Read more