The group put a Northern Grampians Shire Council community grant received in 2007 to good use, purchasing two 19 inch flat screen monitors and a printer to make family history research easier.

Running until Sunday, National Family History Week is the perfect opportunity for people to take the first step in researching their family history.

Members of the Stawell Biarri Group for Genealogy will be at the Stawell Library throughout the week to assist people wanting to conduct some family history research.

People wishing to research their family history can call into the Stawell Library from 10am to 5.30pm from today until Friday, or on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.

Ellenor Musumeci from the Stawell Biarri Group encouraged people interested in researching their family history to start as soon as possible.

``A lot of people get the bug when it's too late and there's no great aunties to ask any questions,'' Mrs Musumeci said.

``Everyone's got family stories and this is a way to find out if they're true.''

In conjunction with National Family History Week, the Stawell Biarri Group for Genealogy will be holding an antiques and collectables appraisal day.

Antique dealer and auctioneer Bruce Lowenthal will be at the Stawell Library from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, providing written valuations and information on all sorts of treasured items.

Mr Lowenthal will value one item for a cost of $5 or three items for $10.

Tea and coffee will be available on a day which could see some valuable treasures unearthed.