The late Sophie Caplan started her genealogical research due to family losses in Shoah and became early subscriber to the Toledot journal. In 1976, she launched an essay competition based on family research for students of the largest Jewish high school of Sydney, which became a compulsory programme within a year. Until today she assesses the entries and awards the prizes. In 1986, she became the AVOTAYNU correspondent in Australia. In 1991 she founded the Australian Jewish Genealogical Society, first in Sydney and then with branches in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and a small group in Brisbane. She contributed many books to the libraries of the smaller branches. She served as the Sydney and later the national President for ten and a half years. Founded the Kosher Koala review in 1993 and was its editor for nine years and was President of Sydney-based Australian Jewish Historical Society.