Australia has many public and private schools. Private schools include those run by orphanages and correctional institutions (industrial, training, and reform schools). Records generated by both public and private schools include admission registers, punishment registers, visitors’ books, examination books, class rolls, and minute books.

Of particular genealogical value are the school admission registers. Information about each student includes name, age or date of birth, religion, parent’s name(s), student’s occupation and residence, the name of the ship on which the student immigrated, and the

date of admission and discharge from the school. Other important details may be found in the remarks column.

Teachers registers are also valuable sources. For further information, see the “Occupations” section of this outline.

The Family History Library has collected many school records from Australia. These records are listed in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:

AUSTRALIA - SCHOOLSAUSTRALIA, [STATE] - SCHOOLSAUSTRALIA, [STATE], [TOWN] - SCHOOLS

If your ancestor was educated at an Australian university, he or she may be recorded in the University Calendars for that university. The calendars are published annually and list staff and students of the universities. The Family History Library does not have these records, but they can be found in national archives, state archives, and other local repositories and libraries. The following source provides a list of various school records and University Calendars and where they can be found in Australia:

Vine Hall, Nick. Tracing your family history in Australia: a guide to sources. 2d ed. Albert Park, Victoria: N. Vine Hall, 1994. (FHL book British Ref 994 D23v; computer number 732232.)

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