Victoria Archives and Libraries

Archives collect and preserve original documents from organizations such as churches or governments. Libraries generally collect published sources such as books and maps. This article describes the major national and New South Wales archives and libraries that hold genealogical and historical information.

National Archives of Australia
National Archives of Australia PO Box 7425 Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610 Tel: 1300 886 881 (from overseas: 61 2 6212 3900) Fax: 1300 886 882 (from overseas: 61 2 6212 3999)


 * The National Archives holds records of Australian government records of the Federation or Commonweath since in 1901; Commonwealth people; and the High Court. RecordSearch describes over 7.7 million records created by 9000 Australian Government agencies. Reading rooms are in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin.


 * A step-by-step guide to research at the National Archivesis available. More than 200 fact sheets about their records are available online. Family history records are not in their collections, but the site contains links to those records. Read Begin Your Journey to get started family history.

National Library of Australia
National Library of Australia Parkes Place Parkes ACT 2600 Phone: +61 (0)2 6262 1266 Fax: +61 (0)2 6273 5081


 * The National Library is the largest reference library in Australia. Their catalogue is online. Use eResources to locate indexes, full-text ejournals, websites and guides. Frequently asked questions for family historians explain about the records there.

ACT Heritage Library
ACT Heritage Library Email act.heritage.library@act.gov.au Phone +61 2 6207 5163 Fax +61 2 6207 5835


 * The two links below will allow you to download lists of historic marriages or deaths.
 * Birth Marriage or Death Certificate Applications, search Family History
 * http://www.ors.act.gov.au/community/births_deaths_and_marriages/historic_death_index

Victoria
The following is a list of archives and libraries that have genealogical material.

The State Library of Victoria is Victoria's premier research library and helps family historians find their ancestors in our dedicated Genealogy Collection and unique Victorian heritage records.

Public Record Office Victoria is the archives of the State Government of Victoria which hold records from the late 1830s to today. These include indexes to passengers from inwards assisted from 1839 to 1871 and unassisted from 1852 to 1923, outward passengers from 1852 to 1901, and Wills, Probates and Administrations from 1841 to 1925. There are other records available online including education and teachers, court in quest records, insolvency, prisoners and convicts and much more.

Australia Institute of Genealogical Studies Inc. promotes and encourages the study of genealogy, heraldry, family history and allied subjects throughout Australia and to assist members and others in genealogical research.

The Genealogical Society of Victoria is conveniently located in the city offering an extensive world-wide reference library, research assistance and large bookshop.

Bendigo Regional Archive Centre is a unique partnership between Public Record Office Victoria, City of Greater Bendigo and Goldfields Library Corporation.

The Victorian Government Gazette thia archive of historic government gazettes provides access to over 160 years of official information published in and about Victoria. It contains images of every relevant page in the Victoria Government Gazette produced since 1836, as well as searchable indexes for each publication.

Additional Archives

 * Ballarat & District Genealogy Society - index to Victorian mining accidents
 * Public Record Office Victoria - inquest and other coronial records