The Mackay Branch of the Genealogical Society of QLD was formed at a meeting in the CWA Hall, Gordon Street on 22 April 1981. There were 7 financial members from the first meeting.

The aim of the Society was to further the study of family trees and family history and to provide help and resources to people who want to know more about their family history.

Members began to gather local records in the form of cemetery transcriptions from the Mirani and Eton Cemeteries. Publications and records were also purchased to add to the collection.

The Society’s collection moved in to the office of the Pioneer Shire Library in Ungerer Street, North Mackay in December 1982 and was literally housed in an apple crate.

The Pioneer Shire Library assisted with the purchase of relevant books on genealogy so that a wider selection was available to researchers.

By March 1983, volunteers were helping with family trees every Saturday morning.

The collection steadily grew and with the opening of the Gordon White Library in Phillip Street, the Society moved into a new room.

The collection continued to grow until space became a premium and the group then moved to a location in Valley Street. At this time the group became incorporated and became known as the Mackay Family History Society Inc.

The premises in Valley Street were sold in April 2005 and we moved to 17B Keith Hamilton Street staying there until September 2018.

Thanks to Mackay Regional Council we were offered the heritage listed old Town Hall in Sydney Street (air conditioned) to house our collection and from where we could operate. We happily accepted their offer.

With grateful thanks to our many wonderful volunteers, the Society still gathers and indexes local records for use by family researchers.