Join FamilyHistoryWA

Membership of FamilyHistoryWA (FHWA) is open to anyone interested in any aspect of genealogy and family history, whether your interest is in Western Australia or worldwide.

Types of Membership and Types of Membership are set out below.  Join FHWA online or by downloading an Application for Membership form.

1. Join online

1. Create an Online Account to Register for our website.

2. Receive a confirmation email to acknowledge your account has been created.

3. Login to your account and proceed to Join and Renew at the FHWA Shop.  Choose your required Membership type - Single or Joint to purchase a 12 month membership. Note that the $15 joining fee is included in the price for New Memberships.  Follow the prompts to complete your payment.

2. Join offline

Applications for Membership forms are available here, or at the FHWA. Application for Membership form.  Complete and forward to FHWA by post, or drop in to FHWA

You can pay by providing your credit card details on the form or by direct Bank Transfer: Bendigo Bank, Bayswater, WA. BSB: 633 000 Acct 122 966 856. Make sure you include your name in your transfer.

3.  On joining

A membership card and general information kit will be posted to you. You are required to present the card when you visit the library and to wear the card on FHWA premises. Card holders are available at the front desk or you may consider wearing your card on a lanyard. Your membership card is a one off permanent plastic card - see below for lost card repalcements.

4. Membership benefits

• Excellent library access - FHWA library (Units 5/6) is open for 30.5 hours over five days per week, including Monday evening and Saturday afternoon. see Library Hours & Map.
• The air-conditioned library has a large worldwide collection of books, CD's, microfiche, microfilms and other material. Books and periodicals are available to borrow. There are 12 computers providing free access to 8 genealogy websites.
• Friendly library assistants to help you with your research and free printouts.
• Orientation sessions are held on a regular basis - Go to the Events Calendar at Trybooking for dates.
• Activities and Education Program of free activities and courses and some fee-based courses.
• Access to new digitised images on the FamilySearch.org website. FHWA is an affiliated LDS library.
• Access to microfilms from the LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) - See list of current films here
• Special Interest Groups provide a vast knowledge and experience base to draw upon
• Publication of your research interest in our online Directory- Go here for Submissions - See Members Interests' Directory here
• Our Bookshop  is well stocked with genealogical material.
• Parking both off street and on street for the library and meeting rooms. Bus and rail access are nearby, just a short 15 min walk. (View our location on Google Maps)
• 4 issues per year of our journal Western Ancestor
• Access to the Members Only parts of our website and to online communication areas.
• Access to Members Only sections of the Special Interest Groups
• WAGSnet Discussion List
• Certificate Ordering Service for English and Welsh Wills, Birth, Marriage and Death certificates.
• Reciprocal visiting rights to the Western Australian National Trust properties, and some interstate and overseas family history societies.
• Two hours free research per year is available for Full members living more than 500kms from Perth.

5. Undecided about joining?

Non-Members are welcome to come along and have a look at the library at any time. Have a chat to one of our friendly library volunteers who will happily show you what is available in the library.

6.  One day visitor

Non-members may use the library facilities for their own research for one day by paying a $15.00 fee.

7.  One month visitor

Non-members may use the library facilities for their own research for one calendar month by paying a $25.00 fee.

8. Annual Subscription Rates

Membership classes information on benefits

 Note: From 1st April 2011 each member will need to have a separate email address.
If this is a problem for Joint members, please contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

Create your Free Account, and join the FHWA now.

9. Renew Your Membership

To renew your membership, please click on Renew Membership to pay online or, manuall by completing the Membership Renewal Form 2020 and forwarding it to FHWA.

Members who were financial as at 31 March 2011 - renewal date is 31st March each year.

Members joining after 1 April 2011 - renewal date will be 12 months from your joining date.

10. Journal Only Subscription

If you would like to subscribe to the Western Ancestor, without becoming a FHWA member the annual cost is $45

You can purchase a Journal Only subscription online, or you can download and print our Journal Only Subscription or Renewal Form  to mail with your payment.

11. Change of personal details

If you change any personal details - name, address, telephone or email address - please log-in and update your details on your profile page. It is important that we have accurate and up to date records so that we can contact you, and ensure delivery of the Western Ancestor. Alternatively you can notify FHWA library during opening hours or notify the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If you have any entries in our Members Interests' or WA Surnames  databases please ensure that you notify our database coordinator -  Members' Interests or WA Surnames.

12. Lost Membership cards or  Western Ancestor not received

You should immediately notify the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to arrange a replacement.

13. Membership queries and correspondence

Please quote your full name and membership number in all correspondence or contact with FHWA.

Membership volunteers are usually available at the FHWA meeting room (Unit 4) on Friday mornings  between 9:30am and 11:00am and are happy to answer any membership related queries. Telephone (08) 9271 4311

During library opening hours, a message may be left at the front desk and a Membership representative will attend to the query on the following Friday.

Email queries to the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will respond as soon as possible.

Letters may be sent to:

Membership Officer,
Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc.
6/48 May Street
Bayswater
Western Australia 6053