Maureen Martin Ferris
Tasmanian Historian
Tasmanian Historian
Professional historical research, family history services, and presentations by an experienced Tasmanian historian.
Explore Services Get in TouchI am a professional Tasmanian Historian with a passion for uncovering and sharing Tasmania's rich history. With years of experience in historical research, I specialise in family history, local history, and heritage interpretation.
My work is dedicated to bringing Tasmania's unique stories to life through meticulous research, detailed documentation, and engaging presentations. I am committed to preserving historical records and making them accessible to present and future generations.
I acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work and pay respect to Elders past and present.
ABN: 50 467 768 488
For over four decades, I have dedicated my professional career to researching Tasmanian history, with particular expertise in East Coast historical narratives. My contributions to the field have been recognised through multiple published books and regular contributions to the Tasmanian Family History Society's esteemed publication, and member of the publishing committee for the Tasmanian Family History Society's publication, "Tasmanian Ancestry."
In December 2022, I concluded my 15-year tenure as Curator of the East Coast Heritage Museum to focus on independent research initiatives. Currently, I serve as both President and Research Officer of the Glamorgan Spring Bay Historical Society Inc.
My professional affiliations include memberships with the Tasmanian Family History Society Inc., Tasmanian Historical Research Association, Female Convict Research Centre, Digital History Tasmania, Launceston Historical Society, the newly established Launceston History Centre, Australian Association of Genealogist and Record Agents Inc. (AAGRA), and Hobart Town (1804) First Settlers Association Inc. I further extend my historical interests through active participation in the Irish and Glasgow Historical Groups.
My expertise has been featured on several notable television programs, including:
I currently administer several Tasmanian-focused Facebook communities, including Tasmanian Genealogy and History, Tasmanian Convicts, and the Tasmanian Pictorial Church Index, alongside my personal professional page.
My specialised skill set encompasses:
My professional development includes specialised training in historical property research and archaeological surveying techniques, with practical field experience at the Triabunna Barracks excavation.
Comprehensive research services for Tasmanian historical sites, events, and communities. Discover the stories behind places and people through detailed archival research.
Detailed genealogical research to help you discover your Tasmanian family roots. From convict ancestors to free settlers, uncover your family's unique story.
Professional photography services including cemetery & headstone photographs, houses & properties documentation, and other historical site imagery.
Professional documentation and cataloging services for historical collections, ensuring your historical artifacts and documents are properly preserved and recorded.
Engaging presentations on Tasmanian history topics for groups, schools, and organizations. Bring history to life with informative and captivating talks.
Personalised guidance for your own historical research projects. Get expert advice on research methods, resources, and interpreting historical records.
Explore my ongoing digitization project featuring historical Tasmanian photographs, many previously unpublished and inaccessible to the public. This collection includes rare photos, family portraits, and historical sites that provides valuable visual records of Tasmania's past and it's people.
An ongoing project to document and preserve information from historical cemeteries across Tasmania, including photographic records and transcriptions of headstones.
Working to digitise and make accessible important convict records that provide insight into Tasmania's colonial history and genealogical connections.
Researching and documenting the history of local Tasmanian communities, preserving stories, events, and cultural heritage for future generations. I particularly specialise in the history of the Glamorgan Spring Bay Area.
Investigating the histories of significant Tasmanian properties, uncovering their architectural evolution, ownership changes, and cultural significance.
A comprehensive digital archive established in the mid-1990s documenting Tasmania's ecclesiastical history through photographs and archival materials. In 2018, this extensive collection was made freely accessible online to facilitate public engagement and collaborative contributions from researchers and community members.
Visit SiteDocumentation of historical sites in the Triabunna area including cemetery records.
Download PDFHistorical research on William Wright and the Lake Leake area.
Download PDFA curated collection of useful websites for historical research in Tasmania and worldwide.
Browse LinksGuide to accessing Tasmanian historical papers held in NSW Library collections.
Browse RecordsBrowse registers of Birth/Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths/Burials available online at Tasmanian Archives.
Browse RegistersTemplate for documenting convict ancestry and historical information.
Download PDFSearchable database of convicts from the Glamorgan Spring Bay area with historical details and transport information.
Browse RecordsExample of a historical timeline report format for documentation projects.
Download PDFI'd love to hear from you about your historical research needs or questions. Whether you're looking to uncover your family history, research a historical property, or need a presentation on Tasmanian history, I'm here to help.
Please fill out the contact form or connect with me through social media. I'll get back to you as soon as possible.