Family history societies throughout NSW are struggling to keep afloat, with memberships dwindling and  members unwilling to commit to an office on a committee, but this does not apply to the Shoalhaven Family History Society, who are going from strength to strength.

Members said they were very lucky to secure eminent speakers for the seminar who had the audience captivated with their presentations.

Dr Kathrine Reynolds, who has links to the Shoalhaven through her Muller family, entertained everyone with the previously untold truths about our female convict ancestors, and how they were not all poor mistreated women.

Christine Yeats provided the group with the tools to search the amazing National Library of Australia's Trove website, with hints and tips to gain even more results from a simple search.

Ralph Sanderson from the National Library of Australia enlightened everyone on the mysteries of DNA testing and how it revealed unexpected results in his own family history research.

SFHS members who donated their time and skills to provide morning tea and a light lunch proved they have what it takes in the kitchen to satisfy dozens of hungry attendees, and after a very successful day, all left feeling confident to tackle the hurdles they had previously thought insurmountable.

A lot of hard work went on behind the scenes to bring this seminar to fruition, but with very many positive comments and observations, the team is already planning the next event.