New South Wales Archives and Libraries: Difference between revisions

m (Edits)
(Changed "Rating" to "Content".)
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 7: Line 7:
}}  
}}  
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.  
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  ==
==Government Archives==
[http://www.naa.gov.au/ National Archives of Australia]<br>PO Box 7425<br>Canberra Business Centre<br>ACT 2610<br>Tel: 1300 886 881 (from overseas: 61 2 6212 3900)<br>Fax: 1300 886 882 (from overseas: 61 2 6212 3999)
[http://www.naa.gov.au/ '''National Archives of Australia''']<br>
National Archives New South Wales Office<br>
120 Miller Road<br>
Chester Hill<br>
New South Wales, Australia<br>
<br>
Phone: 02 9782 4900<br>
Postal address: Locked Bag 4, Chester Hill, NSW 2162, Australia<br>
[https://www.naa.gov.au/visit-us/new-south-wales Website]
[https://www.naa.gov.au/help-your-research/research-guides Research Guides]<br>
[http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/family-history/index.aspx Family history]
-----
{{Block indent|1=<span style="Color:DarkViolet">'''Most of the State Archives Collection is in the form of original documents and can be viewed in our [https://mhnsw.au/visit-us/state-archives-reading-room/ Reading Room at Kingswood].Some records of regional significance are held in our [https://mhnsw.au/guides/regional-archives-centres/ Regional Archives Centres.]'''</span>|2=1}}
'''New South Wales State Archives'''<br>
'''Head Office'''<br>
The Mint<br>
10 Macquarie Street <br>
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia<br>
<br>
Phone: + 61 2 8239 2288<br>
Email: info@mhnsw.au<br>
[http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/ Website]<br>
{{Block indent|The collection includes a diverse range of items and formats, such as letters, files, photographs, maps, posters, film, video and e-records. From local school records to royal commissions, divorce papers to shipping registers, criminal trials to adoption records, the collection tracks through time the myriad interconnections between public agencies and private lives. The collection is one of the most complete records of the process of colonisation, and includes a number of items inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.}}
<br>
<br>


:The National Archives holds records of Australian government records of the Federation or Commonweath since in 1901; Commonwealth people; and the High Court.&nbsp;[http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/recordsearch/index.aspx RecordSearch] describes over 7.7 million records created by 9000 Australian Government agencies.&nbsp; [http://www.naa.gov.au/about-us/publications/fact-sheets/fs01.aspx Reading rooms] are in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin.<br>  
'''New South Wales State Archives'''<br>
'''Western Sydney Records Centre'''<br>
161 O'Connell Street<br>
Kingswood NSW 2747<br>
Australia<br>
Telephone: (02) 9673 1788<br>
<br>
'''Access to Records at the State Archives - ARK'''<br>
*[https://mhnsw.au/guides/archives-resources-kit/ Archives Resources Kit (ARK)] - Contains most popular colonial records on microfilm and provides access to them
*[https://mhnsw.au/guides/community-access-points/ Community Access Points] - A list of over 40 libraries and archives which hold microcopies of the Archive Resource Kit records.<ref>"Archive Resource Kit," New South Wales State Archives and Records, https://mhnsw.au/guides/archives-resources-kit/, accessed 1 April 2025.</ref><br>
Records available include:
*convict arrivals
*assisted immigrants
*births, deaths and marriages
*publicans' licences
*electoral rolls
*naturalisation
*returns of the colony ('Blue Books')
*land grants
*[https://mhnsw.au/guides/archives-resources-kit/ List of all Records Available]
==Church Archives==
===Anglican Archives===
*'''Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn''' records are all deposited in the National Library of Australia. Microfilmed copies are in the [[New South Wales Church Records#Societies|'''Society of Australian Genealogists''' collection .]] Research services are also provided by the [[New South Wales Church Records#Societies|'''Anglican Historical Society of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn''' (below).]]
----
*[https://directory.archivists.org.au/index.php/anglican-diocese-of-grafton-new-south-wales '''Anglican Diocese of Grafton Archives''']
----
*[https://libguides.newcastle.edu.au/anglican/parishregisters '''Anglican Diocese of Newcastle Archives: Parish registers'''], links to alphabetical list of existing registers, listing of libraries with microfilmed copies.
----
*[http://www.sydneyanglicanarchives.com.au/genealogists.html '''Sydney Diocesan Archives (Anglican)'''] are not open to the public for family research.
{{Block indent|*Since 2017, registers containing name-linked information which are held in the Sydney Diocesan Archives have been digitised and made available to the public via Ancestry. The database is called [https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/61177/ '''Sydney, Australia, Anglican Parish Registers, 1814-2011''']}}
{{Block indent|*Ancestry has indexed the registers, so you can search for entries via the name search function. Or you can browse through the pages of each register, viewing high quality photographic images of each page.  }}
{{Block indent|1=*The types of registers which have been digitised include: Baptism Registers; Banns Registers; Burial Registers; Composite Registers (single volumes containing records of baptisms, marriages & burials); Confirmation Registers; Marriage Declaration Registers; and, Marriage Registers. We are sending more registers to be digitised for Ancestry every year.<ref name=SDA>"Information for Family Historians and Genealogists," at Sydney Diocesan Archives, http://www.sydneyanglicanarchives.com.au/genealogists.html, accessed 4 February 2022.</ref>|2=1}}
----


:[http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/research/index.aspx A step-by-step guide to research at the National Archives ]is available. More than 200 fact sheets about their records are available [http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/index.aspx online]. Family history records are [http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/family-history/index.aspx not in their collections], but the site contains links to those records. Read [http://www.naa.gov.au/services/family-historians/index.aspx Begin Your Journey]&nbsp; to get started family history. <br>
===Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney Archives<Ref>SYDNEY ARCHDIOCESAN ARCHIVES, https://www.sydneycatholic.org/directory/listing/sydney-archdiocesan-archives, accessed 2 February 2022.</ref>===
*Sydney Archdiocesan Archives as a Church Archives has the main function of serving the administrative needs of the Archbishop, Bishops and the Agencies of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. Subsequently, the Sydney Archdiocesan Archives is not available for Family History Research."
*Sacramental registers (baptism, marriage, and burial) have been microfilmed within the constraints of legislation and are available for family history research at Society of Australian Genealogists (120 Kent Street Sydney), State Library of NSW and National Library of Australia (Canberra)."
*Prior to March 1856 when Civil Registration began in New South Wales details on certificates were taken from Church registers. A certificate that refers to the *Parish of St James, County of Cumberland” refers to the geographic area of St Mary’s in the colonial period, that is, the central Sydney area, not to records that are kept at St James Church or to St Mary’s Cathedral."
*Records of that time often contained little information. Names of parents were not included on marriage certificates until 1856."
----


== National Library of Australia  ==
==Libraries==
 
'''State Library of New South Wales<br>
[http://www.nla.gov.au/ National Library of Australia]<br>Parkes Place<br>Parkes ACT 2600<br>Phone: +61 (0)2 6262 1266<br>Fax: +61 (0)2 6273 5081<br>
Macquarie Street <br>
 
Sydney NSW 2000  <br>
:The National Library is the largest reference library in Australia. Their [http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/ catalogue] is online. Use [http://www.nla.gov.au/app/eresources/ eResources] to locate indexes, full-text ejournals, websites and guides.  [http://www.nla.gov.au/infoserv/family.html Frequently asked questions] for family historians explain about the records there. <br>
Australia <br>
 
<br>
=== ACT Heritage Library ===
 
[http://www.library.act.gov.au/find/history ACT Heritage Library]<br>
Email act.heritage.library@act.gov.au<br>
Phone +61 2 6207 5163<br>
Fax +61 2 6207 5835<br>
 
:The two links below will allow you to download lists of historic marriages or deaths.<br>
::*[https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/18 Birth Marriage or Death Certificate Applications, search Family History] <br>
::*http://www.ors.act.gov.au/community/births_deaths_and_marriages/historic_death_index<br>
 
== New South Wales  ==
 
=== The State Records Authority of New South Wales ===
 
[http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/ The State Records Authority of New South Wales]<br>Email info@records.nsw.gov.au<br>Phone +61 2 9673 1788<br>
 
=== The State Library of New South Wales - Family History Service ===
 
[http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/family/ State Library of New South Wales - Family History Service]<br>
Macquarie St <br>
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia <br>
Phone +61 2 9273 1414 <br>
Phone +61 2 9273 1414 <br>
[https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research-and-collections Website]<br>
[http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/family/ Family History Service] <br>
{{Block indent|We have a dedicated family history area in the Governor Marie Bashir Reading Room, where you will find family history records and resources, including electoral rolls, telephone books, newspapers and how-to handbooks. Librarians are available to help you get started with your research and to guide you through the Library’s collections.}}
==Museums==
[https://mhnsw.au/visit-us/ '''Museums of New South Wales''']
*[https://mhnsw.au/collections/museum-collections/ '''Collections'''] Descriptions of collection holdings at each museum listed in the above website.


:A guide is ''Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales''. No. 13 in the ''Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales ''series''. ''Sydney, Australia: The Authority, 1969. (FHL book {{FHL|152873|title-id|disp=994.4 A35g no. 13}}.) <br>
==Civil Registration Offices==
 
[https://www.nsw.gov.au/births-deaths-marriages '''NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages'''] The Registry was formed in 1856 to register life events in New South Wales accurately and securely for all time, ensuring their integrity and confidentiality.
== Family and Local History Societies  ==
*[https://www.nsw.gov.au/family-and-relationships/family-history-search/help-and-support#toc-free-online-search '''Ancestry research help and support'''] Find out what you can search, about the search results, how to order certificates, paid search services and who to contact for support.
 
*[https://www.nsw.gov.au/family-and-relationships/family-history-search/help-and-support#toc-free-online-search '''Free online search'''] What you can search
[http://www.aigs.org.au/Default.htm 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.  
{{Block indent|*Birth records more than 100 years ago}}
 
{{Block indent|*Death records more than 30 years ago}}
[http://www.coraweb.com.au/society.htm Family History and Historical Societies in Australia ]lists family history organizations that are helpful to researchers.<br>
{{Block indent|*Marriage records more than 50 years ago}}
 
*[https://www.nsw.gov.au/family-and-relationships/family-history-search/help-and-support#toc-order-certificates-online '''Order certificates online''']<br>
== University Archives  ==
 
*[http://archives.anu.edu.au/ Australian National University Archives] (including Noel Butlin Archives Centre and Pacific Research Archives)
 
== Other Archives  ==
 
*[http://www.atua.org.au/ Australian Trade Union Archives<br>]
 
Another major source of archival material is Newspapers.  Australian newspapers all have archives of important events in the past.  The following WIKIPEDIA website provides a list of Australian newspapers:
 
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_newspapers_in_Australia Newspapers in Australia]


== General Guides to Archives<br>  ==
== General Guides to Archives<br>  ==
Line 68: Line 102:
Printed guides may be helpful in locating family history material.  
Printed guides may be helpful in locating family history material.  


*White, Olga, Anne-Marie Schwirtlich, and Jennifer Nash, comp. ''Our Heritage.'' O’Connor, Australian Capital Territory, Australia: Australian Society of Archivists, 1983. (FHL book {{FHL|423386|title-id|disp=994 J54w}}.)  
*White, Olga, Anne-Marie Schwirtlich, and Jennifer Nash, comp. ''Our Heritage.'' O’Connor, Australian Capital Territory, Australia: Australian Society of Archivists, 1983. (FS Library book {{FSC|423386|title-id|disp=994 J54w}}.)  
*Australian Archives. ''Relations in records: a Guide to Family History Sources in the Australian Archives''. Canberra, Australia: Australian Government Publishing Service, 1988.&nbsp; (FHL book {{FHL|660067|title-id|disp=994 A3r}}.) The following book contains a listing of indexes that are available in Australian libraries:  
*Australian Archives. ''Relations in records: a Guide to Family History Sources in the Australian Archives''. Canberra, Australia: Australian Government Publishing Service, 1988. (FS Library book {{FSC|660067|title-id|disp=994 A3r}}.) The following book contains a listing of indexes that are available in Australian libraries:  
*Henty, Margaret, and Rachel Jakimow. ''Indexes in Australian libraries''. Canberra, Australia: National Library of Australia, 1995. (FHL book {{FHL|769504|title-id|disp=994 A3h}}.) <br>
*Henty, Margaret, and Rachel Jakimow. ''Indexes in Australian libraries''. Canberra, Australia: National Library of Australia, 1995. (FS Library book {{FSC|769504|title-id|disp=994 A3h}}.) <br>
 
== FamilySearch Catalog  ==
 
The Family History Library has other guides. Call numbers for these can be found in the library's catalog by using the Place Search for:<br>
 
{{FHL|352615|subject-id|disp=AUSTRALIA - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES - INVENTORIES, REGISTERS, CATALOGS}}<br>  


AUSTRALIA, [STATE] - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES - INVENTORIES, REGISTERS, CATALOGS


{{Template:Pros-AU}}  
{{Template:Pros-AU}}  

Latest revision as of 23:28, 19 August 2025

New South Wales Wiki Topics
Flag of New South Wales.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
New South Wales Background
Local Research Resources
New South Wales 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.

Government Archives

National Archives of Australia
National Archives New South Wales Office
120 Miller Road
Chester Hill
New South Wales, Australia

Phone: 02 9782 4900
Postal address: Locked Bag 4, Chester Hill, NSW 2162, Australia
Website Research Guides
Family history


Most of the State Archives Collection is in the form of original documents and can be viewed in our Reading Room at Kingswood.Some records of regional significance are held in our Regional Archives Centres.

New South Wales State Archives
Head Office
The Mint
10 Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Phone: + 61 2 8239 2288
Email: info@mhnsw.au
Website

The collection includes a diverse range of items and formats, such as letters, files, photographs, maps, posters, film, video and e-records. From local school records to royal commissions, divorce papers to shipping registers, criminal trials to adoption records, the collection tracks through time the myriad interconnections between public agencies and private lives. The collection is one of the most complete records of the process of colonisation, and includes a number of items inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.



New South Wales State Archives
Western Sydney Records Centre
161 O'Connell Street
Kingswood NSW 2747
Australia
Telephone: (02) 9673 1788

Access to Records at the State Archives - ARK

Records available include:

  • convict arrivals
  • assisted immigrants
  • births, deaths and marriages
  • publicans' licences
  • electoral rolls
  • naturalisation
  • returns of the colony ('Blue Books')
  • land grants
  • List of all Records Available

Church Archives

Anglican Archives




*Since 2017, registers containing name-linked information which are held in the Sydney Diocesan Archives have been digitised and made available to the public via Ancestry. The database is called Sydney, Australia, Anglican Parish Registers, 1814-2011
*Ancestry has indexed the registers, so you can search for entries via the name search function. Or you can browse through the pages of each register, viewing high quality photographic images of each page.
*The types of registers which have been digitised include: Baptism Registers; Banns Registers; Burial Registers; Composite Registers (single volumes containing records of baptisms, marriages & burials); Confirmation Registers; Marriage Declaration Registers; and, Marriage Registers. We are sending more registers to be digitised for Ancestry every year.[2]

Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney Archives[3]

  • Sydney Archdiocesan Archives as a Church Archives has the main function of serving the administrative needs of the Archbishop, Bishops and the Agencies of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. Subsequently, the Sydney Archdiocesan Archives is not available for Family History Research."
  • Sacramental registers (baptism, marriage, and burial) have been microfilmed within the constraints of legislation and are available for family history research at Society of Australian Genealogists (120 Kent Street Sydney), State Library of NSW and National Library of Australia (Canberra)."
  • Prior to March 1856 when Civil Registration began in New South Wales details on certificates were taken from Church registers. A certificate that refers to the *Parish of St James, County of Cumberland” refers to the geographic area of St Mary’s in the colonial period, that is, the central Sydney area, not to records that are kept at St James Church or to St Mary’s Cathedral."
  • Records of that time often contained little information. Names of parents were not included on marriage certificates until 1856."

Libraries

State Library of New South Wales
Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Phone +61 2 9273 1414
Website
Family History Service

We have a dedicated family history area in the Governor Marie Bashir Reading Room, where you will find family history records and resources, including electoral rolls, telephone books, newspapers and how-to handbooks. Librarians are available to help you get started with your research and to guide you through the Library’s collections.

Museums

Museums of New South Wales

  • Collections Descriptions of collection holdings at each museum listed in the above website.

Civil Registration Offices

NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages The Registry was formed in 1856 to register life events in New South Wales accurately and securely for all time, ensuring their integrity and confidentiality.

*Birth records more than 100 years ago
*Death records more than 30 years ago
*Marriage records more than 50 years ago

General Guides to Archives

Printed guides may be helpful in locating family history material.

  • White, Olga, Anne-Marie Schwirtlich, and Jennifer Nash, comp. Our Heritage. O’Connor, Australian Capital Territory, Australia: Australian Society of Archivists, 1983. (FS Library book 994 J54w.)
  • Australian Archives. Relations in records: a Guide to Family History Sources in the Australian Archives. Canberra, Australia: Australian Government Publishing Service, 1988. (FS Library book 994 A3r.) The following book contains a listing of indexes that are available in Australian libraries:
  • Henty, Margaret, and Rachel Jakimow. Indexes in Australian libraries. Canberra, Australia: National Library of Australia, 1995. (FS Library book 994 A3h.)



  1. "Archive Resource Kit," New South Wales State Archives and Records, https://mhnsw.au/guides/archives-resources-kit/, accessed 1 April 2025.
  2. "Information for Family Historians and Genealogists," at Sydney Diocesan Archives, http://www.sydneyanglicanarchives.com.au/genealogists.html, accessed 4 February 2022.
  3. SYDNEY ARCHDIOCESAN ARCHIVES, https://www.sydneycatholic.org/directory/listing/sydney-archdiocesan-archives, accessed 2 February 2022.