Welcome to Your Family Genealogist. I’m Therese Lynch, a professional genealogist with a rich background in senior public sector management. My career allowed me to develop a keen eye for detail and a systematic approach to research, skills that I now apply to genealogy.

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After an early retirement, I was fortunate to focus full time on my own family history and helping friends with theirs. This interest quickly evolved into more than a hobby, leading me to earn a Diploma in Family History from the University of Tasmania.

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I derive immense satisfaction from guiding others on their family history journey and conducting research on their behalf. I also offer insights into lesser-known repositories to help break down those stubborn ‘brick walls’ (you can find more on this in my Blog).

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My profound understanding of genealogy inspired me to establish Your Family Genealogist. Living in Canberra, I have the privilege of easy access to all national institutions. Research, as we know, extends beyond mere internet searches. I frequently visit the National Archives of Australia, the Australian War Memorial, and the National Library, delving into their extensive collections not available online.

As a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, I adhere to their Code of Ethics and Professional Practices and apply the Genealogical Proof Standard in all my work.

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My family’s long history of military service, dating back to the early 1800s, has led me to specialize in military family history. I also have expertise in Australian convicts, Victorian goldfields, and land records.

Leveraging previous experience as an IT trainer, I offer one-on-one or small group training tutorials on how to use the major commercial genealogy databases such as Ancestry and FindmyPast. This service has been well-received by clients who subscribed to these platforms and need guidance on how to proceed.

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I am an active member of Family History ACT (FHACT), where I contribute to their Ancestral Searcher magazine and deliver lectures and presentations at their general meetings and special interest groups.

As a published writer, I enjoy transforming research into tangible bodies of work. My contributions range from writing a chapter on Land Records for the current edition of FHACT’s book, Family History for Beginners and Beyond, to authoring a book about my great-great-grandfather, Peter Roney, a Pioneering Entrepreneur. However, not all ancestors warrant an entire book. For most, an illustrated ancestral profile or a visual piece like a photo essay is more suitable.

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I firmly believe in the philosophy that information is for sharing, especially when it comes to family history resources. I love discovering new family history sites and databases, and my Blog is an excellent platform for sharing these finds.

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I look forward to joining you on your genealogical research journey.

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Therese Lynch

Your Family Genealogist