Unlock Your Story at the UNESCO World Heritage Cascades Female Factory
In celebration of National Family History Month this August, the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site invites the community to embark on a fascinating journey into Tasmanian history at “Convict Connections”, an enriching two-day event on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August 2025, from 10am to 3pm. This special event is free to attend and will be held at the iconic site in South Hobart.
Free Family History Event: Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 August 2025, 10am–3pm
Have you ever wondered if your ancestors were among the 13,500 female convicts transported to Van Diemen’s Land—or wanted to trace your family’s journey through the generations? Convict Connections is the perfect place to begin or expand your quest.
Visitors will have access to a panel of renowned experts ready to guide you through the process of exploring your ancestry. Gain practical experience and expert advice from:
Maureen Martin Ferris – Experienced genealogist, offering targeted tips on researching convict heritage.
Dr Christina Henri – Artist and noted memory-keeper, renowned for her creative work honouring convict women’s legacies.
Representatives from leading historical and community organisations:
Female Convict Research Centre (FCRC)
National Trust
Friends of the Orphan Schools
State Library of Tasmania
Archives Tasmania
These experts collectively bring decades of research, archival knowledge and community engagement. Their collaboration at Convict Connections will give participants rare insights and personalised assistance in unlocking stories hidden within family trees.
Event Highlights
Practical Workshops: Hands-on sessions to spark your family history journey. Learn to navigate convict databases, interpret archival documents and understand historical contexts.
Expert Panel Q&A: Tap into an exceptional knowledge base. Bring your questions about tracing Tasmanian convict women, or any aspect of your family’s colonial-era history.
Storytelling and Creative Arts: Be inspired by Dr Christina Henri’s moving tributes, and discover new ways to memorialise and share your own findings.
Archival Access: Find out how to use freely available resources from Libraries Tasmania, Archives Tasmania, the Female Convict Research Centre and more. Learn techniques for building a comprehensive family tree from scratch.
Community Connections: Meet other history enthusiasts, share stories and build connections within a vibrant heritage community.
Why it Matters
The Convict Connections event continues the Cascades Female Factory’s mission as a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site: to preserve and share the stories of the convict women and girls transported to Tasmania, shedding light on their contribution to the colony and the generations that followed. Understanding these personal histories not only enriches individual family stories, but also contributes to Tasmania’s unique sense of place and collective identity.
Plan Your Visit
The event is open and welcoming to all ages and levels of family history experience. Whether you are a seasoned genealogist, a local history buff, or just beginning your research, you’ll find support and inspiration. Bookings aren’t required for general entry, but early arrival is encouraged for popular panel sessions.
Dates: Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 August 2025
Times: 10am – 3pm (each day)
Location: Cascades Female Factory, 16 Degraves St, South Hobart
More info: femalefactory.org.au/event/convict-connections
Celebrate Family History Month by uncovering your ancestral roots and connecting with Tasmania’s remarkable convict past at Convict Connections.
