Family history and genealogy

Man reading through a thick, leather-bound book of shipping registers

Lloyd's register of shipping, 1914-1949, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn729906

Discovering your ancestors’ migration story: Part 2

Our Special Collections Research & Support team are back with answers to more common questions that can help can uncover your ancestors' migration story.

Blog

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

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

A bold poster with stacked red text in different fonts reads: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA, REFERENDUM, 1916 (MILITARY SERVICE), POLLING: SATURDAY, 28th October, 1916, Commonwealth Electoral Rolls close Monday, 18th Sept., 1916 ARE YOU CORRECTLY ENROLLED for the Electoral Subdivision for which you are entitled to be enrolled? Qualified persons who fail to enrol are liable to a PENALTY OF TWO POUNDS. J. G. McLAREN, Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State of New South Wales. Sydney, 5th September, 1916.

McLaren, J. G and Commonwealth Electoral Office (Australia) issuing body, Referendum, 1916 (military service) : are you correctly enrolled for the electoral subdivision for which you are entitled to be enrolled? Sydney, 1916, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-348412875

Electoral rolls research guide

Find out how to use electoral rolls to locate your family members or other peoples location or addresses over the years and who was living with them.

Research guide

A black-and-white photo of a smiling family in swimsuits, standing together in shallow water at Manly Beach. The background shows pine trees and other beachgoers. The picture was taken in 1923 in New South Wales, Australia.

Noel Minchin, A family at Manly beach, New South Wales, 1923, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-140924016

Find family and friends

If you're trying to reconnect with friends or relatives, there are a range of resources and organisations that can help you.

Research guide

Mothers and Babies at the Drouin Infant Welfare Centre in Victoria

Jim Fitzpatrick & Australia Department of Information, Mothers and babies at the Drouin Infant Welfare Centre, Victoria, 1944, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-147033868

Find what time you were born

Find out what time you were born using hospital records, birth announcements and family keepsakes.

Research guide

A black-and-white photograph shows a group of soldiers marching down a street with rifles over their shoulders. They are accompanied by civilians, who walk arm-in-arm with the soldiers, smiling and engaging with the crowd. The street is busy with people, and buildings can be seen in the background.

Fairfax Corporation, Departing troops walking with their families down Macquarie Street, 1914, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-162908974

Find your military ancestors

Trace the military history of your ancestors using resrouces and records from Australia, New Zealand and the British Army at the Library and beyond.

Research guide

Man steering a large male cow that is pulling a wagon with his wife and children inside

Mallee farmer and family with his bullock wagon, Victoria, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-153091696

Finding and dating photographs

Find family photos and piece together dates and places from the many clues they contain.

Learning activity for adults

Video

Black and white print of several First Nations people standing in a group, with a man reading from a book in front of them, and several people sitting and watching

Frederick Grosse, Marriage of Aboriginal natives, Corranderk [i.e. Coranderrk], 1873, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136144666

First Nations births, deaths and marriages records

If your family’s births, deaths or marriages have been registered, these records can provide things like the addresses, names, ages and occupations of family members.

Research guide

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

Detail of the cover of book 'In defence of country : life stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander servicemen & women' which features a painting of a First Nations serviceman

Noah Riseman & ANU Press, In defence of country : life stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander servicemen & women (detail), 2016, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn6930656

First Nations military service resources

Our resources can help you find out about your family member’s service history.

Research guide

Four young children sitting on a bench and smiling

[Anderson family children on a garden seat at Dee Why, New South Wales], c. 1920, nla.obj-145928313

Get started with your family history

Find out where to begin with researching your ancestry, download family history charts, and learn about resources and services available to uncover the hidden stories of your heritage.

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