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Family history and genealogy

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Wirangu Elder, Sandra Miller looking at a photo album and pointing at a piicture of a relative

Lutheran Koonibba Mission, South Australia, 1920-1930, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-152896940

First Nations family history research guide

This guide will help you find resources both in and outside our collection to make your journey of discovery easier.

Research guide
Video
Seven librarians of the National Library sitting or standing around a table talking, smiling and looking at laptops
Researching your family history remotely: Discovering the Library’s eResources

Online genealogy resources make it easier than ever to dive into your family history from the comfort of home. 

Blog
1864 map of England and Wales

New one inch Ordnance Survey of England & Wales, 1864, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-231933519

This ‘one inch’ topographic map has a scale of one inch on the map representing one mile on the ground (1:63 360). Ordnance Survey maps at this scale provide an overview of an area, including the relationships between cities, villages and other features in the landscape.

British and Irish maps for family historians

Learn how to access historical gazetteers, Ordnance Survey maps, and early atlases to get detailed insights into your family's origins in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

Research guide
Excerpt from John Bartholomew and Son, Gazetteer of the British Isles, 9th ed., 1970, showing alphabetical listing of place names with details of each.

John Bartholomew and Son, Gazetteer of the British Isles, 1970, nla.gov.au/catalog/1374709

Historical gazetteers

Gazetteers are listings of places and can provide useful details, such as territorial division, location, alternate names, population size, and more.

Research guide
1864 map of England and Wales

New one inch Ordnance Survey of England & Wales, 1864, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-231933519

This ‘one inch’ topographic map has a scale of one inch on the map representing one mile on the ground (1:63 360). Ordnance Survey maps at this scale provide an overview of an area, including the relationships between cities, villages and other features in the landscape.

Ordnance Survey maps

Ordnance Survey maps can give you detailed geographic information for England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland from the early 1800s onwards.

Research guide
1695 map of Kent

Robert Morden et al, Kent, 1695, detail, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-231505192

Early atlases and county maps of Britain and Ireland

Atlases and county maps can help you find more detailed information about counties, shires and provinces.

Research guide
1695 map of Kent

Robert Morden et al, Kent, 1695, detail, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-231505192

Early maps of London and other cities and towns

City maps provide road and rail information, and show buildings, farms, industries, schools, churches, and many other features.

Research guide
1892 map of the Parish of Tullamarine and Parish of Maribrynong

Parish of Tullamarine Parish of Maribyrnong, 1892, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-232027555

Australian maps for family historians

Discover land and property history with our extensive map collection and enrich your family history research with unique geographical records.

Research guide
This squatting map of Victoria shows counties, road and rail lines, settlements and subdivisions. Relief is shown on the map using hachures.

Thomas Ham, Blundell and Ford, The squatting map of Victoria, 1864-1865, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-231392173

This squatting map of Victoria shows counties, road and rail lines, settlements and subdivisions. Relief is shown on the map using hachures.

Pastoral or squatting maps

Early pastoral or squatting maps can help you locate pastoral properties relating to ownership before Torrens Title, and for identifying large pastoral and squatting runs. Many maps we have can be viewed online, and all can be viewed at the Library.

Research guide
1912 map of the Parish of Booroomba, County of Cowley Land District of Queanbyan, Yarrowlumla Shire, Commonweath territory

New South Wales, Department of Lands, Parish of Booroomba, County of Cowley Land District of Queanbeyan, Yarrowlumla Shire, Commonwealth Territory, 1912, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-233985512

Parish, town and county maps

Published by the State Lands Departments from the 1860s onwards parish, town and county maps can be used to find land holdings, show boundaries, land use and types of ownership.

Research guide
A historic real estate map advertising a land auction at Circular Quay and George Street, Sydney, dated May 30th, 1900. The layout showcases plots available for development, labeled "colored red," situated near the wharves, shops, and notable buildings. Text emphasizes the commercial opportunities of the site, positioned near tram and maritime terminals.

Hardie & Gorman Pty. Ltd & W. E. Smith Ltd, Circular Quay and George St., a splendid site for stores and offices, opposite the wharves for auction sale at the rooms, 133 Pitt St,  nla.gov.au/nla.obj-230508873

Real estate or sales plans

Use sales plans to find information about land sales, such as prices, boundaries, roads and land use.

Research guide
Collection guide
Hood Collection

About 240 recordings of folk music, folklore, and oral histories documenting family history, local history, work experiences, music and other arts.

Collection guide

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