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Family history and genealogy

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Black and white photograph of a gravestone surrounded by a wrought iron fence. The grave is situated in a grassy, rural setting with a few trees scattered around. The gravestone has an arched top and an inscription in memory of William Henry Light.

John Flynn, Grave of William Henry Light: a lantern slide from John Flynn's missionary days in Gippsland, 1906, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-142432903

Cemetery records

Find out how to locate burial information, cemetery and crematorium records that can lead to valuable discoveries in your family history.

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 sample of an emigration pass. It says 'Colonial Emigration Form, Man's Emigration Pass' with signatures and handwritten information.
Indian emigration passes to Fiji 1879 - 1916

Find out how to access over 60,000 passes issued to Indian people who came to Fiji as indentured labourers.

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.

Information article
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
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
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
Two women and four men, who make up the Library's Special Collections Research & Support team, standing and smiling in the Special Collections Reading Room in front of a table with three maps on it

Special Collections Research & Support team

Discovering your ancestors’ migration story: Part 1

Our Special Collections Research & Support team have answered common questions that can help can uncover your ancestor’s migration story.

Blog
Members of a family standing in a line from oldest to youngest

A. Collingridge, Portrait of the Lyons family, Canberra, ca. 1935 nla.obj-137397778

Tracing your family history with the Library’s charts and forms

Learn about the Library's family history research charts and how to find the information to fill them in.

Blog
Husband and wife sitting at a table with a large cake and vases of flowers in front of them

John Joseph and Harriett Willson Denison celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, November 1939, nla.obj-151150861

Beginner’s guide to family history research

Find out how to get started with your family history research and how the Library can help along the way.

Blog
Man in military uniform with hat smiling

Harry Peters, soldier in the Third Employment Company, c. 1942

Dear Mutzi: Writing a life through letters, memories and imagination

Read about how author Tess Scholfield-Peters explored her grandfather's early life as a teenager fleeing Nazi Germany in her new book 'Dear Mutzi'.

Blog
A black and white photograph of a family dressed in late 1800s style fashion. The are standing in a clearing in a forest and are standing in front of a tent.

William Henry Corkhill, Jim Stephens, Steven Marsden, Charlie Marsden, his wife Rebecca and their children Millie and Stephen outside their tent, Mt Dromedary, ca.1899, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-140334789

Learning webinar: Family history for beginners

Delve into our collections with our Research Librarians and uncover your family history.

Event
Learning activity for adults
Video

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