Writing Family History Workshops
& Masterclass
in collaboration with the Society of Australian Genealogists
See events here.
Introduction to Writing Family History
Workshop Information
Unlock the stories of your past in this inspiring one-day workshop designed to help you transform family history research into captivating narratives. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to refine your writing, this hands-on session will give you the tools to bring your ancestors’ lives to life on the page.
Guided by published author, well-known family historian and creative writing teacher Dr Betty O’Neill, you’ll learn how to craft compelling stories from genealogical research, oral histories, and family legends. Discover techniques to create vivid scenes, develop memorable characters, and weave historical context seamlessly into your writing. Through guided exercises you’ll leave with newfound confidence and a roadmap to continue your family history project.
Held in a welcoming, collaborative environment, this workshop is perfect for those who want to preserve family legacies, connect with loved ones through storytelling, or explore the richness of their heritage. You’ll also meet like-minded individuals, share ideas, and gain inspiration from their journeys.
No prior writing experience is necessary—just bring your curiosity, any family research and materials you'd like to reference, and a passion for preserving the past. Let us help you turn your family history into a lasting treasure for generations to come.
Spaces are limited—book your spot today!
Writing Family History Masterclass
Expressions of Interest Now Open
I am very excited to announce that in conjunction with the Society of Australian Genealogy, Louise Miller-Hoffman and I are offering a new writing program, Family Story Writing Masterclass, commencing in December 2025 with an anthology of stories to be published December, 2026.
Expressions of Interest close on 1 November 2025
This advanced program will mentor 12 to 16 dedicated family history writers over 12 months from Dec 2025 to Dec 2026. Participants will be guided to bring creativity, narrative skills and research together to craft polished stories of 3,000 to 5,000 words that will be published to an anthology collection.
Theme - Twists in the tree:
Exploring the Revealed, the Resilient and the Radicals.
In this program, we’ll explore how to write about:
Revelations that changed how we see our families and ourselves
Everyday resilience and the quiet legacies of unsung ancestors
Ancestors who were radicals, rebels or originals, defying expectations and reshaping family stories
As long as the characters in the stories are deceased, not previously extensively written about and the setting is predominately in Australia,
they may come from any era of Australian history.
The main character may be an ancestor or relative of the author or possibly an un-related person with significant connection to, or influence on, the author. These creative non-fiction stories will be fact-based, researched stories using the tools of literature to bring people and places vividly to life while remaining true to the evidence revealed.
The course will include:
8 x 2-hour online workshops with supporting materials via an online collaborative working space
• Personalised written feedback given on 3 writing exercises per participant
• 2 x 45 minute one-on-one mentoring sessions per participant to support story development
• Small group peer learning communities that share resources, give and receive regular, constructive and respectful feedback and encouragement
• An opt-in 4 session online Australian Family History Book club to cultivate the habit of reading like a writer
• All participants will be supported through 2 drafting phases to deliver a publication-ready short story, suitable for an adult audience
The Outcome:
We are excited to share that a professionally published anthology collection of all participants’ stories is the guaranteed outcome of this program.
Each participant will receive a complimentary copy of the anthology with additional copies available at a reduced price.
