R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Australia
Research Outline
   

Table of Contents
Helps For Using This Research Outline
Introduction
     Record Selection Table
Archives And Libraries
     National Archives And Libraries
     Branches Of The National Archives Of Australia
     National Library
     State Archives
     State Libraries
     Other Libraries
     Computer Networks And Bulletin Boards
     Familysearch™
Biography
Business Records And Commerce
Cemeteries
Census
     Census Substitutes
Church Directories
Church History
Church Records
     Information Recorded In Church Registers
     Locating Church Records
     Indexes To Church Records
Civil Registration
     General Historical Background
     Information Recorded In Civil Registers
     Indexes To Civil Registration Records
     Locating Civil Registration Records
     Records At The Family History Library
Convict Records
Correctional Institutions
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Encyclopedias And Dictionaries
Gazetteers
     Finding Place Names In The Family History Library Catalog
     Modern Place Names
     Historical Place Names
Genealogy
     Major Collections And Databases
     Family Histories
     Genealogical Collections
     Genealogical Indexes
     Research Coordination
Heraldry
Historical Geography
History
     Local Histories
Land And Property
     Finding Land Records In Australia
     Finding Land Records In The Family History Library
Languages
     Language Aids
Maps
     Using Maps
     Finding The Specific Town On The Map
     Finding Maps And Atlases
Medical Records
Military Records
Minorities
Native Races
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Obituaries
Occupations
Orphans And Orphanages
Periodicals
     Indexes
     Obtaining Periodicals
Probate Records
Public Records
Schools
Societies
     Genealogical And Family History Societies
     Historical Societies
     Family Associations And One-name Societies
     Locating Records At The Family History Library
     Records Not At The Family History Library
Taxation
Voting Registers
Other Records Of Australia
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

This outline can help you find information about your ancestors who lived in Australia. It also gives you information about genealogical records and can help you decide which types of records to search.


HELPS FOR USING THIS RESEARCH OUTLINE

Before using this outline, choose the information you want to find about one of your ancestors, such as a birth date or a maiden name.

After you have decided what information you want to find, look at the “Record Selection Table" in the Introduction Section of this outline. The table lists the best types of records to search for finding the information you want.

There is a section in this outline for each type of record listed in columns 2 and 3 of the “Record Selection Table.” These sections give you more information about these records. The sections come in alphabetical order.

References to the Family History Library Catalog

The Family History Library CatalogLook this term up in the glossary. contains a listing of all the records available at the Family History LibraryLook this term up in the glossary.. The catalog is available at the Family History Library and at each Family History Center. The staff can help you learn to use the catalog.

This outline gives you instructions for finding information in the catalog. For example, in the section called “Census” you may find the following statement:

For more information about census records, look in the "Locality Search" of the Family History Library Catalog under:

AUSTRALIA - CENSUS
AUSTRALIA, [STATE] - CENSUS
AUSTRALIA, [STATE], [TOWN] - CENSUS
This statement tells you to look in the catalog under:

  • Australia and then under the subject “CENSUS.”
  • A state in Australia and then under the subject “CENSUS.”
  • A town in a state in Australia and then under the subject “CENSUS.”

This outline also includes references to specific records. These references include the following:

  • Call Numbers. The call number is used to find a record in the Family History Library (FHL).

  • Computer Numbers. Each record is assigned a number to identify it in the catalog. If you are using the Family History Library Catalog on computer or compact disc, you can search for the record by the computer number. This is the quickest way to find the listing of the record in the catalog.

For additional information on using the catalog, see Using the Family History Library Catalog (30966).

References to Family History Library Publications

The Family History Library has many publications that may be helpful to you in your research. Some are referred to in this outline (titles are in italics, and item numbers are in parentheses). These publications are available at the Family History Library and the Salt Lake City Distribution Center.


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INTRODUCTION

Australia was initially settled in 1788 by convict transportees from the British Isles. If you have ancestors who lived in Australia during the early settlement, you may find a convict or two among them. There are many records on these convicts. To learn about these records, read the following sections of this outline:

  • Census (Musters)
  • Convict Records
  • Correctional Institutions
  • Court Records
  • Emigration and Immigration
  • Public Records

Australia is a part of the British Commonwealth. Before 1901 areas in Australia were referred to as colonies. These colonies were independent for many years; as a result each one developed its own laws and records. Keep this in mind as you read about the various records available for Australian genealogical research.

In 1901 Australia formed a federation of states and territories. The states are New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and the island of Tasmania. The territories are Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory.


Record Selection Table

RECORD SELECTION TABLE: AUSTRALIA
This table can help you decide which records to search. It is most helpful for research from 1800 to the present.
Step 1. Choose an ancestor you would like to know more about. What new information would you like to learn about that person?
Step 2. Look at the Record Selection Table in the outline. It will tell you which are the best types of records for that information.
Step 3. Read the sections in the outline about those types of records.
Step 4. Look in the Family History Library Catalog and choose a specific record to search.
Step 5. Look at the record.
  1. In column 1 find the goal you selected, then in column 2 find the types of records most likely to have the information you need.
  2. Read the sections in the outline about those types of records.
  3. Look for those types of records in the Family History Library Catalog.
  4. Search the records.
  5. If you do not find the information you need, return to column 3 and try those records.

    Note: Records of previous research (Genealogy, Biography, History, Periodicals, and Societies) are useful for most goals, but they are not listed unless they are especially helpful.
1. If You Need 2. Look First In 3. Then Search
Age Civil Registration, Church Records, Emigration and Immigration, Convict Records Census, Cemeteries, Newspapers, Military Records, Occupations, Naturalization and Citizenship, Medical Records, School Records
Birth date Civil Registration, Church Records, School Records Biography, Newspapers, Military Records, Occupations, Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship, Cemeteries, Obituaries
Birthplace Civil Registration, Church Records Biography, Obituaries, Newspapers, Military Records, Occupations, Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship, Medical Records, Convict Records, Cemeteries
Children Civil Registration, Church Records, Biography, Genealogy, Emigration and Immigration Newspapers, Obituaries, Probate Records, School Records, Court Records
Convict Records Convict Records, Correctional Institutions, Emigration and Immigration, Census, Public Records Court Records
Death Civil Registration, Church Records, Newspapers, Cemeteries, Obituaries Probate Records, Court Records, Land and Property, Military Records, Biography, Genealogy, Correctional Institutions, Convict Records, Medical Records
Divorce Divorce records Newspapers, Biography, Genealogy
Ethnicity Native Races, Minorities
Family members Church Records, Civil Registration, Biography, Genealogy, Emigration and Immigration Newspapers, Probate Records, Obituaries, School Records, Court Records
Historical background History, Historical Geography Church History
Immigration date Correctional Institutions, Naturalization and Citizenship, Emigration and Immigration, Convict Records Biography, Census, Medical Records, School Records
Living relatives Directories, Civil Registration Societies, Newspapers, Periodicals, Genealogy, Probate Records, Voter Registers, Land and Property
Maiden name Civil Registration, Church Records, Convict Records Obituaries, Newspapers, Cemeteries, Biography, Genealogy, Naturalization and Citizenship, Land and Property, Occupations
Marriage Church Records, Civil Registration, Convict Records Newspapers, Biography, Genealogy, Periodicals, Cemeteries, Court Records, Convict Records
Occupation Church Records, Directories, Civil Registration, Occupations, Probate Records, Convict Records Court records, Newspapers, Emigration and Immigration, Obituaries, School Records
Parents Church Records, Civil Registration, Biography, Genealogy, Emigration and Immigration Newspapers, Probate Records, Obituaries, School Records, Court Records
Physical description Military Records, Court Records, Correctional Institutions, Convict Records Newspapers, Biography
Place-finding aids Gazetteers, Directories, Maps History, Land and Property, Periodicals
Place of residence Convict Records, Church Records, Directories, Civil Registration, Voting Registers Land and Property, Probate Records, Newspapers, Taxation
Record-finding aids Archives and Libraries, Genealogy Societies, Periodicals
Religion Church records, Biography, Civil Registration Cemeteries, Genealogy, History, Newspapers, Obituaries, Probate Records
Town, district, and state origins and boundaries Gazetteers, Maps History, Historical Geography


Map: Australia - Boundaries as of 1911Look this term up in the glossary.

(This graphic may take a while to download.)

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Version of Data: 6/8/2001]