event

October 6 – General meeting

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We are delighted to welcome back Jeff McGill as guest speaker for our next CAFHS meeting on Tuesday 6th October, starting 7pm.

The talk will explore the extraordinary story of Alfred Cady, the “black sheep” of a wealthy English farming family who was sent to the far side of the world to make his own way. He settled in Camden in 1849 and married into a prominent local Scottish family, the Pedens. But in 1860, a family scandal changed everything — sending Alfred, his wife and their children packing for Goulburn to start afresh.

Tuesday 6th October, 7pm, at Camden Museum, 40 John Street, Camden. Visitors welcome! Free, gold coin for supper appreciated.

Unlock Camden Heritage Festival – 5th September

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This September, Unlock Camden Heritage Festival 2026🗝️📜 invites you to step back in time and discover the stories behind the places you know and love.

Wander through historic sites, explore museum collections, join a guided walking tour, admire vintage vehicles, enjoy live music and family-friendly activities, and experience Camden’s rich heritage in a whole new way.

📅 Saturday 5 September

⏰ 10am–2pm

📍 Alan Baker Art Gallery, Camden Library, Camden Museum

ℹ️bit.ly/unlock-camden-heritage-festival

CAFHS 30th Anniversary!

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This year Camden Area Family History Society will celebrate our 30th Anniversary! Our Society began in November 1996, a self-funded, not-for-profit volunteer organisation for the benefit of all who are interested in researching their family history.

We are planning an Open Day in the Old Fire Station in Camden Library on Saturday, 14th of November, and throughout November there will be special displays and promotions. There will also be a 30th anniversary souvenir booklet. If you a former memeber, or if you have any memorabilia, stories, memories, or photographs of CAFHS events, please get in touch via email: cafhs2570@gmail.com

More details to come, please follow our Facebook page for updates!

Upcoming events

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CAFHS General meeting: At our meeting on 7th April the guest speaker will be member Peter O’Brien with “The Tangled Web We Weave” – a journey of discovery through DNA. 7 pm at Camden Library.

Saturday sessions are generally held on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 1pm to 4pm. Free for members, $10 for visitors, includes afternoon tea. We have some great sessions coming up:

  • April 18th: DNA
  • May 16th: Family Tree Maker software program
  • June 20th, July 18th & August 15th: Exploring Your Family Tree

Australian Heritage Festival is on 18th April – 18th May: The theme this year is Change: How has history changed us and how are we changing history? https://australianheritagefestival.org.au/

There will be free displays at Camden Library, in the Old Fire Station and Galleria, including “Time after time…Camden’s iconic buildings and their changing stories”

CAFHS 30th anniversary in 2026: We will be celebrating this year, with events being planned for mid-November. If you have a prior connection with the Society please get in touch – we are looking for memorabilia, photographs, stories, and memories. Or perhaps you would like to come along and celebrate with us and find out more about CAFHS?

2026 NSW & ACT AFHS Conference:  This annual family history event will be held at Port Panthers at Port Macquarie from 18th – 20th September. The theme is ‘The Paper Trail and Beyond: Family History in the Digital Age’, The event is a great opportunity to hear interesting guest speakers, meet other family historians and see what’s on offer at the family history fair. https://www.portmacconference2026.com


Family Tree Maker workshop – November 15

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Family Tree Maker workshop November

Camden Area Family History Society is hosting a workshop on the Family Tree Maker program with FTM expert Lyn Hudson-Williamson on Saturday November 15. The session will be from 1pm – 4pm, in the Old Fire Station at Camden Library, 40 John Street, Camden. Includes afternoon tea. All welcome!

Whether you are just getting started and curious to learn more, or you are already using Family Tree Maker, this session is for you! Beginners welcome.

Cost:  $10 per session (CAFHS members free). Payment can be made online, or on the day (cash only). Join CAFHS on the day, and your session is free! Reserve your place now by emailing us at cafhs2570@gmail.com .

🌳Family History Saturday Sessions

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Camden Area Family History Society is hosting information sessions on Family History on the 3rd Saturdays of October and November…

October 18: Writing a Blog
With Lynne Byass (Nepean FHS)

November 15: Family Tree Maker Workshop
With FTM expert Lyn Hudson-Williamson

Sessions will be from 1pm – 4pm, in the Old Fire Station at Camden Library, 40 John Street, Camden. Includes afternoon tea. All welcome!

Cost: $10 per session (CAFHS members free).

You can attend either one or both of the sessions. Payment can be made online, or on the day (cash only). Join CAFHS on the day, and your session is free!

Reserve your place now by emailing us at cafhs2570@gmail.com

September events

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Sep 2: CAFHS General Meeting, Speaker Lynne Byass, ‘Bringing documents to life’

Sep 6: Unlock Camden, John Street, Camden
Sep 6 to 14: History Week 2025: Water Stories
Sep 9: History Week evening event, Water Stories, Camden Library

Sep 12 to 14: 40th State Conference hosted by The Illawarra Family History Group at the Fraternity Club in Wollongong: ‘They Came from Where?’

Sep 20 to 21: Camden Park Open Weekend

Exploring Your Family Tree

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Camden Area Family History Society is hosting information sessions on Family History Research, on Saturday afternoons …

July 19: Exploring Ancestry

August 16: Beyond Ancestry

Sessions will be from 1pm – 4pm, in the Old Fire Station at Camden Library, 40 John Street, Camden. Includes a light afternoon tea. All welcome!  

Cost:  $10 per session (CAFHS members free). Reserve your place now by emailing us at cafhs2570@gmail.com .

Payment can be made online in advance, or on the day (cash only). Join CAFHS on the day, and your session is free!

Whether you are just getting started and curious to learn more, or you are already using Ancestry to research your tree, these sessions are for you!

Australian Heritage Festival event: “Unearthed” – 18 April to 18 May 2025

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This year’s theme is “Unearthed – revealing the past, bringing to light lesser-known histories and stories, and unearthing knowledge to empower younger generations as custodians of culture and tradition”. Information: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/ahf/

Camden Libraries, Camden Area Family History Society and Camden Historical Society are collaborating to present a series of free events as part of the festival: (see flyer)

Camden Streetscape Exhibition Opening and History Walk.

Wednesday 23 April 1.30pm-3pm. Camden Library.

Write your Family History Workshop with Keith Whelan.

Saturday 3 May 10:00am-1:00pm. Oran Park Library. 

Unearthing Lost History: An Afternoon in Camden Library.

Saturday 17 May 12:30pm-3:30pm. Camden Library.

Bookings essential:  https://library.camden.nsw.gov.au/events/unearthed-australian-heritage-festival-2025/