Eric is a family historian, presenter and author with a strong interest in Germany and the former German Empire. He has been actively researching his family since 1985 – in Australia, England, Germany and formerparts of Germany that now lie in Poland. For over 20 years he has convened theQueensland Family History Society’s Central European Interest Group and is part of the German-Australian Genealogy and History Alliance.

Now retired, Eric studied at the University of Queensland and was awarded a B.Sc., B.A. and a Diploma of Education. He retired in 2014 after teaching Physics and Mathematics at St Peters Lutheran College, Indooroopilly for over 40 years. Currently he is completing certificates in German and English genealogy with the National Institute for Genealogical Studies in Toronto, Canada. Eric has spoken in New Zealand and most Australian states and on 10 Unlock the Past cruises.

Probably best known for the series Emigrants from Hamburg toAustralasia: 1850-1879 which was completed with his wife Rosemary, Eric received the Queensland FHS Award for Services to Family History (1990); was made a Fellow of the Queensland FHS (2000); and in 2006 was awarded the AFFHO Award for Meritorious Services to Family History.

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Publications

Locating Your German Ancestor's Place of Origin

Researching in German Civil and Church Records

Introduction to German Family History Research for Australians

Handy Guide: Civil Registration Births, Marriages and Deaths in Germany

Handy Guide: Church Records in Germany

Handy Guide: German Maps and Gazetteers for Family Historians

Handy Guide: German Words for Family Historians