Dr Dianne Snowden AM, President of AAGRA, will present two papers at the 15th Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry ‘Bridging the Past & Future’ to be held in Sydney in March 2018.

Dianne’s first paper will discuss ‘Becoming a professional genealogist’. Drawing on her experience as a professional genealogist and professional historian over many years, Dianne will discuss the work of a professional genealogist, including the importance of ethical research. She will also discuss the steps required to become a professional genealogist and the benefits of belonging to a recognised organisation such as the Australasian Association of Genealogists and Record Agents.

Dianne is a professional historian, heritage consultant and genealogist. She formerly lectured in family history at the University of Tasmania and was instrumental in establishing the online Diploma in Family History.

Dianne’s particular interests include female convicts and their children. She is a founder member of the Female Convicts Research Centre (Tasmania) and is founder and convenor of the Friends of the Orphan Schools. She is proud to have 20 convict ancestors. Dianne was the first Tasmanian to receive the Diploma in Historical Studies from the Society of Australian Genealogists (1988).

On a recent trip to Ireland, Dianne caught up with well-known Irish genealogists Paul Gorry and Steven Smyrl of Accredited Genealogists Ireland, AGI (formerly the Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland). AGI is an organisation which both represents the interests of people engaged professionally in genealogy and monitors the standard of their work on behalf of their clients. Beyond its functions as an umbrella group/regulating body, it has made positive contributions to many areas of development, championing the record users’ cause with state-run offices. It has worked with the wider genealogical community through the Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations (CIGO). The three shared common experiences and differences between AAGRA and AGI and will continue to meet whenever possible.

Dianne will be back in Dublin to speak at the Global Irish Diaspora Congress on Thursday 17 August. Her subject will be ‘Children on Board: the forgotten children of Irish convicts transported to Van Diemen’s Land’.