Speaker: Eric Kopittke

Areas of focus or expertise:

  • German migration to Australia and New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Reading and interpreting German language church and civil registers
  • Identifying the emigrant’s place of origin

Email contact: eric.kopittke@gmail.com

Web/social media: none provided

Home: Australia, Queensland, Brisbane

Native language: English

Presentation language(s): English

Preferred presentation type: virtual and in-person

Travel preferences: around Australia

Biography

A family historian, presenter, and author with a strong interest in Germany and the former German Empire, Eric has been actively researching his family since 1985 – in Australia, England, and present and former parts of Germany – and has been a member of the Queensland Family History Society for all of that time. For over 30 years he has convened the Society’s Central European Special Interest Group.

Probably best known for the series Emigrants from Hamburg to Australasia: 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.

In which societies are you a member? Queensland Family History Society Inc.

Speaking experience/references
  • 2018 – 15th AFFHO (Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations) Congress: German family history: Bridging the gap and finding the way
  • 2021 – Family History Down Under: Getting started in German Research, Maps and gazetteers – essential resources
  • 2021 – Presentation to Sacramento German Genealogy Society: Researching German immigrants in Australia
  • 2022 – Queensland State Conference for Family and Local History: Using signatures to identify a family
  • 2023 – IGGP Conference, Researching German migrants to Australia
  • 2024 – Brisbane History Group: Migration through Hamburg to the Moreton Bay District in the 1850s

Recording of previous presentation OR an IGGP partner you have presented for: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mhhcma8ptxexdqj/2025-02-01%20Migration%20through%20Hamburg%20to%20the%20Moreton%20Bay%20District%20in%20the%201850s.mp4?dl=0

Payment/expense arrangements

How do you approach payment for making a presentation? I am willing to negotiate a speaking fee with clients

Other expenses you would like to have reimbursed if you travel? cost for travel and accommodation

Recordings/additional materials

Are you willing to prepare a handout? Yes

Would you be willing to develop a presentation on another topic? Yes

Do you have any restrictions on recording, re-use of recordings, handouts, etc? To be negotiated

Are you willing to have the presentation translated or translate it yourself? Yes

Presentation topics
  • English – Introductory – Getting started in German Research
  • English – Introductory – Maps and gazetteers – essential resources
  • English – Introductory – A 19th century emigrant voyage from Germany to the other side of the world
  • English – Introductory – A brief overview of German history for the beginner family historian
  • English – Introductory – A brief overview of Prussian history for the beginner family historian
  • English – Introductory – A brief overview of Polish history for the beginner family historian
  • English – Introductory – Researching German immigrants in Australia
  • English – Introductory – Using Archion, Matricula, and GenTeams
  • English – Intermediate – Reading and understanding German records