From Names to Stories: Using Archives to Discover Your Ancestors' Lives

Uncover the stories behind your family tree using primary source material from Library & Archives NT’s collections.

Join genealogist and family historian Virginia Pessanha for an engaging presentation and Q&A exploring how archival records can transform your family tree from a list of names and dates into a deeper story about the people, places and experiences that shaped your ancestors’ lives.

Using local examples and case studies, participants will explore how immigration records, land files, court documents and employment histories can reveal insights into ancestors’ daily lives, occupations and contributions to their communities. By looking beyond ‘vital statistics’, participants will learn how to reconstruct the social and historical landscape in which their ancestors lived.

The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Participants will also receive a ‘further research’ handout featuring relevant Library & Archives NT finding aids and resources to support their own family history research.