Have a quick family history question? Contact AskQFHS and our panel of experienced members will provide advice and point you in the right direction. There’s no need to be a member to tap into the research mind.

We can help with questions such as:

• where to find a particular record
• better understand an unfamiliar term or phrase in a historical document
• find out how to use a specific website or research resource
• other general family history enquiries

Need more in-depth assistance with your family history? We can provide personalised research carried out by experienced QFHS volunteers, for a fee.

Our research team draws on its knowledge of family history methods, specialist resources and the collections held by the Society to help answer your research questions.

What you’ll receive

A written report of research undertaken is provided, including its findings and details of sources used both successfully and unsuccessfully. Where appropriate, further avenues of research may be suggested.

Family history research cannot guarantee results. Records may be incomplete, unavailable or difficult to interpret, and relationships cannot always be proven conclusively. Fees cover the researcher’s time, expertise and thorough search of relevant sources, not the outcome.

What we cannot do

Our research is limited to resources available through the QFHS Research Centre. We are unable to undertake research at external libraries, archives or other institutions.

Privacy restrictions prevent us from researching living people such as birth parents or lost living relatives.

Turnaround time

Enquiries are answered in the order received. You can expect to be contacted within one week either with a quote or to discuss further details. Once you accept a quote, completion of the research usually takes 3-4 weeks.

However, the team is small, and absences may cause delay.

Fees

Members who live further than 50 km from the Brisbane GPO can receive two hours free research each year. Brisbane members who cannot attend the Society’s Research Centre for reasons of disability or similar should contact the Secretary to discuss their needs.

A minimum charge of one hour applies. Clients will be advised in advance should estimated costs exceed this minimum.

Do not send payment with your initial enquiry. Payment is required only after you accept our quotation and before research commences.

Request a research quote

All requests will be answered in order of receipt.

Submitting a request does not commit you to using the service. We will acknowledge your enquiry and provide an estimated cost before any research begins, together with payment instructions should you choose to proceed.

Complete the Research Request Form.

QFHS can only undertake research using the resources accessible within our Research Centre. For times when we can’t help you, we suggest you contact a professional researcher.

The Australasian Association of Genealogists and Record Agents (AAGRA) may be able to assist. Its members are reliable and competent genealogists and record agents and are listed on its website.

Another place to look is the Professional Historians Association (Queensland). PHA Qld maintains a register of historians who undertake a wide range of consultancies on historical projects, including family or local history.

To engage a professional researcher, contact the person concerned, clearly stating the work to be done, details of the sources you have already accessed, and requesting an estimate of costs. Fees charged by professional genealogists vary considerably depending on the work required, necessary travel, and other expenses incurred.