Past Speaking Engagements

Fiona regularly presents genealogy talks, workshops and webinars for family history societies, libraries, conferences and community organisations.

Below is a chronological list of Fiona’s speaking engagements.

A list of current Workshops and Presentations can be found here. 

2026

16 May - NZSG Riccarton Branch (40th Anniversary)

  • Presentation - Family History in the AI Era

4 May - Genealogy Unscripted with Michelle Patient

13 April - Society of Australian Genealogists

  • Webinar - Family Historian on Tour: Luggage Legacy and Local Archives

March-April - Legacy Family Tree Webinars

26 February - Association of Professional Genealogists (APG)

  • Workshop: Polishing Your APG Member Profile [NEW]

16 February - Genealogy Unscripted with Michelle Patient

4 February - Society of Australian Genealogists

  • Webinar - Unlocking the Legacy: Researching Family Heirlooms

January- February - Legacy Family Tree Webinars

2025

11 December - Legacy Family Tree Webinars

1 December - Genealogy Unscripted with Michelle Patient

10 November - Genealogy Unscripted with Michelle Patient

5 November - Botany Bay Family History Society

  • Webinar: Across the Ditch

28 & 30 October - Society of Australian Genealogists

  • Virtual Workshop - Unlocking Your DNA Results

21 - The In Betweens, St Barnabas Church, Christchurch

  • Presentation - The Magic of DNA

18 & 19 October - NZSG Kapiti Branch

  • Workshop - Unlocking Your DNA Results (2 day)

13 October - NZSG Papamoa Branch

  • Webinar: A Step Through Time(lines)

6 October - Genealogy Unscripted with Michelle Patient

23 September - NZSG Whakatane Branch

  • Webinar - Discharged & Deserted: They Came as Crew

4 September - U3A Okeover

  • Presentation - Unlocking the Legacy: Researching Family Heirlooms

1 & 4 September - Society of Australian Genealogists

  • Virtual Workshop - Unlocking Your DNA Results

8-10 August - Auckland Family History Expo

  • Workshop - Ancestor Intelligence: Using AI for Family History [NEW] - 3hour hands-on workshop
  • Presentation - Family Historian on Tour: Luggage, Legacy & Local Archives [NEW]
  • Presentation - Discharged & Deserted: They Came as Crew

2-3 August - Christchurch Family History Expo

  • Presentation - The 5 DNA Research Steps [NEW]
  • Presentation - Challenges of AI in Family History - with Andrew Redfern [NEW]

16 July - NZSG Rotorua Branch

  • Webinar - Family History in the AI Era

1 July - NZSG Te Awamutu Branch

  • Webinar - Family History in the AI Era

18 June - Redwood Ladies Friendship Group

  • Presentation - Memories in Time

8 June - Comte de Paris Descendants Group

  • Presentation - The Magic of DNA

21 & 28 May (22 & 29 May NZ & AU) - Family History Academy with Andrew Redfern

  • Virtual Workshop - Transforming Your Research with AI [NEW]

9 May - Society of Genealogists (UK) - with Mia Bennett

  • Virtual Workshop (Professional Corner) - The Organised Professional Genealogist [NEW]

30 April - Society of Genealogists (UK)

  • Hybrid Presentation - Unlocking the Legacy: Researching Family Heirlooms
  • Workshop - Unlocking the Legacy: Researching Family Heirlooms

21-23 March - Connections 2025, AFFHO Congress, Brisbane

  • Presentation - Discharged and Deserted

11 March - NZSG Waimakariri Branch

  • Presentation - Plan to Publish

10 March - St Martin's, Opawa Friendship Group

  • Presentation - Starting Your Family History

18 February - US / 19 NZ - Family History Academy

  • Virtual Workshop - Discover the Power of Spreadsheets for Family History

10 February - Papamoa Branch of the NZSG

  • Webinar - Family History in the AI Era

25 January - Genealogical Society of Queensland (GSQ)

  • Webinar - Family History in the AI Era

2024

22-24 November - Escape to the Past Family History Retreat, Christchurch

  • Live in Retreat with Mia Bennet (UK)

14 November - Canterbury Genealogy

  • Presentation - Unlocking the Legacy: Researching Family Heirlooms

12 November - Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (IHGS)

  • Webinar - Family History in the AI Era

30 October - Family History Academy

  • Virtual Workshop - Spreadsheet Mastery: Advanced Tools for Family History [NEW]

28 October - Society of Australian Genealogists

  • Panel - Let's Talk About... Becoming a Professional Genealogist

23 October - U3A Ellesmere

  • Presentation - The Magic of DNA

1 October - NZSG Te Awamutu Branch

  • Webinar: DNA Update 2024

27 September - 6 October - All About That Place

21 September (20 September USA) - APG Professional Management Conference - Set Sail - with Andrew Redfern

  • Webinar: Building your Digital Crew: Enhancing Your Genealogy Business with AI & Tech [NEW]

12 September - 14 November - Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG)
Foundations: The Research Process

  • Virtual Workshop - Using AI Tools in Genealogy Research [NEW]

2, 9 & 16 September, 7, 14 & 21 October - Plan to Publish Workshop

24 August - Wellington Family History Month 2024

  • Presentation - Quick & Dirty DNA
  • Presentation - DNA Update 2024
  • Presentation - Family History in the AI Era

21 August - In Conjunction with Canterbury Genealogy

  • Host: Dr Sophie Kay - Negative Space: How genealogy gaps can help your family tree flourish

16 August - Family History Academy with Andrew Redfern

  • Virtual Workshop - AI Masterclass: Elevate Your Family History [NEW]

14 August - NZSG Riccarton Branch

  • Presentation - Unlocking the Legacy: Researching Family Heirlooms

9-11 August - Auckland Family History Expo

  • Presentation - Unlocking the legacy: Researching Family Heirlooms [NEW]
  • Presentation - Family History in the AI Era

19 & 26 July - Family History Academy with Andrew Redfern

  • Virtual Workshop - Delving Deeper: AI & Family History [NEW]

15 July - Society of Genealogists (UK)

  • Webinar: Professional Corner: AI & Your Genealogy Business

12-13 July - NZSG Nelson Branch

  • Workshop - Past Encounters
  • Workshop - Clustering your DNA Matches
  • Workshop - Working with your Clusters
  • Presentation - 5 Tools for Organising Your DNA Matches
  • Presentation - DNA Update 2024

5 June - Legacy Family Tree Webinars

17-19 May - New Plymouth Genealogy Society

  • Workshop - The Ultimate Organising Workshop

29 April - Society of Genealogists (UK) - with Mia Bennett

  • Virtual Workshop (Professional Corner) - Who Do Your Clients Think You Are? 

25 April - Family Tree Magazine - Genealogy Gadgets Club

  • Webinar - AI for family history - How can it help you? [NEW]

12 April - Legacy Family Tree Webinars

25 March - NZSG Nelson Branch

  • Webinar - DNA Explorer

21 (USA) / 22 (NZ/AUST) March - Family History Academy

  • Virtual Workshop - Discover the Power of Spreadsheets for Family History!

14 March - Botany Bay Family History Society

  • Virtual Workshop - Clustering Your DNA Matches

2, 9, 16 February (1, 8, 15 EST) - Family History Academy with Andrew Redfern

  • Virtual Workshop - Navigating the AI Frontier [NEW]

January - Legacy Family Tree Webinars

2023

25 November - Society of Australian Genealogists

In Search of... DNA Connections

  • Virtual Workshop - Clustering Your DNA Matches

14 November - New Zealand Society of Genealogists - Writing Group

  • Virtual Workshop - Getting Organised for the New Year [NEW]

4-5 November - NZSG Dunedin Branch

  • Presentation - The Magic of DNA
  • Presentation - DNA Explorer
  • Workshop - Clustering your DNA Matches
  • Workshop - Working with your Clusters
  • Presentation - DNA - What Next?

20 October - APG Professional Management Conference

  • Presentation - AI and Your Genealogy Business [NEW]

15 September - Family History Academy

  • Virtual Workshop - Discover the Power of Spreadsheets for Family History! [NEW]

18-20 August 2023 - Christchurch Family History Expo

  • Presentation - DNA Explorer
  • Presentation - Researching Your Scottish Family

11-13 August - Auckland Family History Expo

  • Panel - Family History Friday's LIVE with Jason Reeve (Ancestry AU & NZ), Seonaid Harvey (Auckland Council Libraries) & Michelle Patient.
  • Presentation - In Business
  • Workshop - Family Tree Detective - for youth

1 August - NZSG Te Awamutu Branch

  • Webinar - Exciting Discoveries : Organising Your Family History

24 July - NZSG Nelson Branch

  • Webinar - Exploring the UK Census

29 June - Christchurch City Libraries

  • Panel - Words, documents and photos - the creation of memoir

7 June - Legacy Family Tree Webinars

13 May - Genealogical Society of Queensland

  • Webinar - Exciting Discoveries: Organising Your Family History

14 April - Legacy Family Tree Webinars

23 February (22 February - EST) - Family History Academy - with Mia Bennett

  • Virtual Workshop: Who Do Your Clients Think You Are? 

2022

8 - 11 November - Family History Down Under 2022 (FHDU 2022)
Sydney, NSW, Australia

  • Presentation: Tracing Your Ancestors Working Lives [NEW]
  • Presentation: Slow Down - Planning Your Research
  • Live Workshop: Past Encounters

5 October - Legacy Family Tree Webinars

24 September (22 September USA) - APG Professional Management Conference - How to Pivot - with Mia Bennett

  • Virtual Workshop:  Who Do Your Clients Think You Are? [NEW]

10 September - DNA Discovery Day - With Talking Family History

  • Webinar: 5 Tools for Organising your DNA [NEW]

24 August - Auckland Library - We Read Programme

19-21 August - Christchurch Family History Expo

12-14 August - Auckland Family History Expo

  • Presentation: Finding Family in Scotlands People [NEW]
  • Presentation: Four More Sources for New Zealand Family History
  • Live Workshop: Recording Memories

22 July - Kidsfest

  • Live Workshop: Make a Memory Album [youth] [NEW]

9 July - 30 September - Virtual Celtic Connections Conference 2022
Journey Home

  • Webinar: Scattered Leaves [NEW]

6 July - Botany Bay Family History Society

  • Webinar: A Step Through Time(lines)

22 June - Virtual Genealogical Association

  • Webinar: From Bookshelf to Coffee Table - Creating a Captivating Family History

8 June - Selwyn Libraries

  • Presentation: Quick & Dirty DNA

1 June - Legacy Family Tree Webinars

4, 11, 18 & 25 May - Selwyn Libraries, Te Ara Ātea, 56 Tennyson Street, Rolleston

  • Your Place: Family History Live Workshop Series

7 May - Far North Branch of the NZSG

  •   Webinar: Quick & Dirty DNA

3 May - U3A Christchurch

  •   Presentation: DNA Testing for Family History

7 April - Hamilton Branch of the NZSG

  •   Webinar: Exciting Discoveries - Organising Your Family History

2 April - Far North Branch of the NZSG

  •   Webinar: Encounters - Our Immigrant Ancestors

26 March & 30 April - Memories in Time Zoom Room

  • Plan to Publish - your Place Virtual Workshop - 2x Saturday workshop

24 March - Society of Australian Genealogists

  • Webinar: Exciting Discoveries - Organising Your Family History

March 2022 - RootsTech 2022 #ChooseConnection

Talking Family History @ Rootstech with Michelle Patient

11 February - U3A Malvern

  • Presentation: The Magic of DNA

2021

May onwards - Ancestry "Family History Fridays"
Facebook Live - Recordings available:

14 November - Family Story School

  • Webinar: Christmas Captured

    Hosted with Nicola Kane, Alana Swain, Kate Ryan 

6 November - Talking Family History Event

  • Webinar: A Deeper Dive into English Research

    Hosted with Michelle Patient and featuring Dave Annal, Janet Few and Sue Swalwell.

 8-9 October - Christchurch Heritage Festival

The Hidden Women of the Cyclopedia of New Zealand

29 September - 17 November 2021 - Talking Family History
- Michelle Patient and Fiona Brooker

  • Course: DNA Discovery - First Steps 

22 September - Auckland Council Libraries

  • Webinar: The Memories in Time Project [NEW]

17 September - Legacy Family Tree Webinars - Webtember

15 September - Talking Family History

- Michelle Patient and Fiona Brooker - available soon in the shop

10 September - Talking Family History
- Michelle Patient and Fiona Brooker

  • Webinar: Tips for Identifying Photographs
    Lockdown Freebie - signup to the mailing list at www.talkingfamilyhistory.com for more details.

8 September - 27 October 2021 - Talking Family History
- Michelle Patient and Fiona Brooker

  • Course: DNA Discovery - First Steps 

6 September - 11 October - Memories in Time

  • Plan to Publish - your Place Workshop - 6 week workshop

4 September - Far North Branch

  • Webinar: Exploring the UK Census

31 August - Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations (AFFHO)

  • Webinar: The 1939 Register for Family Historians

27 August - Talking Family History Lockdown Freebie - 

20-22 August - Christchurch Family History Expo

Due to COVID restrictions this expo was converted from a two day expo to a one day virtual expo.

  • Presentation: Four More Sources for New Zealand Family History

13-15 August - Auckland Family History Expo 

  • Presentation: Family History Friday’s LIVE! with Jason Reeve, Ancestry  and Talking Family History's Michelle Patient and Fiona Brooker
  • Presentation: Get Smart – Track and Display your Research [NEW]
  • Presentation: The Government’s Memory – Archives New Zealand

2 August - Hornby Good Companions Group, Christchurch

  •  Presentation: Starting Your Family History

24 July - Your Place - Family History Workshop, Christchurch 

21 July - 8 September 2021 - Talking Family History
- Michelle Patient and Fiona Brooker

  • Course: DNA Discovery - First Steps 

18 July - Te Kuiti Branch

  • Webinar: From Bookshelf to Coffee Table [NEW]

16-30 July - U3A Arts Centre, Christchurch

  • Presentation: Starting Your Family History
  • Presentation: Across the Ditch
  • Presentation: The Magic of DNA

21 July - 8 September 2021 - Talking Family History
- Michelle Patient and Fiona Brooker

  • Course: DNA Discovery - First Steps

20 May - NZSG Matamata Branch

  • Webinar: Across the Ditch

17 May - Woolston Friendship Group

  • Presentation: Starting Your Family History

30 April - Wanaka Genealogy Group

  • Webinar: Exciting Discoveries

7 April - Legacy Family Tree Webinars

31 March - Auckland Council Libraries

  • Webinar: Talking Family History - with Michelle Patient

8 March - Kiwianas North West

  • Presentation: Memories in Time

February - Rootstech

2020

11 December: Modern Family Tree Workshop - Online

12 October - Merrin St Ladies Club, Christchurch

  • Presentation: The Time Travelling Genealogist

28 August - Salvation Army, Christchurch

  • Presentation: Starting your Family History

23 August (22 August USA) - Kinseekers Genealogical Society of Lake County, Florida

  • Your Place - Leeds Method DNA Workshop [NEW]

14-15 August - The Christchurch Family History Expo

Due to COVID restrictions this expo was converted from a two day expo to a one day virtual expo.

  • Story to Book

8-9 August - The Auckland Family History Expo

  • Breaking Through Brick Walls with DNA [NEW]
  • Exploring the UK Census
  • Plan to Publish

9 July - Halswell Probus Club

  • Presentation: Are you the CMO of your Family?

13 June - Your Place Family History Workshop
Find out more about a Your Place Workshop.

9 June - Burnside Mens Friendship Group

  • Presentation: Starting Your Family History

15 May - Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

  • Webinar: Starting Your Family History [UPDATED]

8 May onwards - Ancestry "Family History Fridays"
Facebook Live - Recordings available:

20-24 April - Auckland Council Libraries
New Zealanders at war; Stories from the Military Collections

  • Webinar: From Records to Story - Military Records in Context [NEW]
  • Webinar: Lost at sea - the mystery of Percy Taylor [NEW]

1 April - Auckland Council Libraries

  • Webinar: The Dash - Writing Our Stories
  • Webinar: My Story

Feb - Mar : Hillmorton High School Community Education

  • Workshop: Story to Book - 6 sessions [NEW]

13 March : The 24-Hour Genealogy Webinar Marathon - Legacy Family Tree Webinars

2019

9 November : Your Place - Family History Workshop

2 November: My People, My Place, My Story : Selwyn Libraries

  • Workshop: My Book: Altered Book Workshop [NEW]
  • Workshop: My Book: Digital Book Workshop [NEW]

17 October: My People, My Place, My Story : Selwyn Libraries

  • Presentation: My Story [NEW]

15 October: Beca Christchurch Heritage Festival 2019

  • Workshop: Past Encounters - Telling Our Stories [NEW]

14 October: Cracroft Friendship Club

  • Presentation: The Time Travelling Genealogist

12 October: Family History Fun Day, Tūranga : Christchurch City Libraries

  • Presentation: The Magic of DNA

3 October: Halswell Friendship Club

  • Presentation: The Time Travelling Genealogist

24 September: Society of Australian Genealogists

  • Webinar: Four Sources for New Zealand Family History [NEW]

29-31 August: DNA Down Under (Sydney, Australia): Unlock the Past

  • Presentation: The Magic of DNA

17 August: In Conjunction with Christchurch City Libraries

  • Host: Meet Cyndi: Creator of Cyndi's List and leading online genealogist - Cyndi Ingle.

 9-11 August: Auckland Family History Expo: Auckland Libraries

  • Presentation: Encounters - Tracing Our Immigrant Ancestors [NEW]
  • Presentation: DNA Explorer [NEW]
  • Presentation:  "Quick and Dirty" trees for DNA matches [NEW]
  • Presentation: The DNA Toolkit [NEW]

8 August: In Conjunction with Christchurch City Libraries

  • Host: Family History and the Media: Behind the scenes of Who Do You Think You Are? - Nick Barratt

 7 August: Legacy Family Tree Webinars

11 July: NZSG Canterbury Branch

  • Presentation: Freenealogy 

5-6 July: Save Your Photos Workshop

9 May: Probus Club of Christchurch South West

  • Presentation: The Magic of DNA

8 April: New Brighton Friendship Club

  • Presentation: The Time Travelling Genealogist

9 February: Dunedin Branch NZSG (All Day Seminar)

  • Presentation [New]: Finding Families  - United Kingdom.  
  • Presentation: Time Travelling Genealogist
  • Presentation: Are you the CMO of your Family
  • Presentation: Extra! Extra! Read all about it 

2018

15-20 October: Pirates of the Pedigree

Family History Expos

  • Presentation: Slow Down - Planning Your Research - Webinar

23 September: Canterbury Pilgrims and Early Settlers

  • Presentation: The Dash - Writing Our Stories

19 September: Researching Women - in conjunction with Heritage New Zealand

  • Presentation: Her Story - Researching Women

September: Suffrage 125 - Selwyn District Libraries

  • Presentation: The Magic of DNA
  • Presentation: Freenealogy
  • Presentation: Slow Down - Planning Your Research

20 August: Woolston Friendship Club

  • Presentation: The Time Travelling Genealogist

11-12 August: Auckland Family History Expo: Auckland Libraries

  • Presentation [New]: Getting the Vote
  • Presentation [New]: Freenealogy 
  • Presentation/Workshop [New]: Quick Tips - Microsoft Word & Excel 
  • Presentation: Across the Ditch

22 July: West Melton Probus

  • Presentation: The Magic of DNA

18 June: Christchurch Kit Cat Probus Club

  • Presentation: The Magic of DNA

1-4 June: Echoes of Our Past. 2018 NZSG AGM & Conference, Christchurch

  • Presentation: The Time Travelling Genealogist

16 April:  Soroptimist International North Canterbury

  • Presentation: The Magic of DNA

12 April: Belfast Redwood Friendship Club

  • Presentation: The Magic of DNA

9-12 March: Bridging the Past & Future. AFFHO Congress 2018, Sydney

  • Presentation: The Time Travelling Genealogist [New]
  • Presentation: Across the Ditch [New]

2017

31 October: U3A, North Canterbury

  • Presentation: The Magic of DNA [New]

26-27 August: Irish & Scottish Research Seminar, Darfield Genealogy and Local History Group

  • Presentation: Slow Down – Planning your Research

11-13 August: Auckland Family History Expo. Auckland Libraries

  • Presentation: Going Online
  • Presentation: Slow Down – Planning your Research [New]
  • Presentation: Beginning Your Family History
  • Workshop: Using the GRO Indexes

11 August: New Zealand Society of Genealogists

  • Workshop: Digital Scrapbooking 101 
  • Workshop: Digital Scrapbooking 102

10 August: NZSG Papakura Branch

  • Presentation: Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

June: New Zealand Society of Genealogists Conference & AGM

  • Presentation: Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
  • Presentation: Are You the CMO of Your Family?

12 April: NZSG Riccarton Branch

  • Workshop: Using the GRO Indexes
  • Workshop: Using the 1939 Register

2016

October: Australian Family History Expo

August: Auckland Family History Expo. Auckland Libraries

28 July: NZSG Bishopdale Branch

  • Presentation: Going Online [New]

 

Note: Some links are Affiliate links.