Family history and genealogy

A black-and-white photo of a family posed outside a brick house with a white picket fence. In the foreground, a man in a bowler hat sits beside a large dog, while a young girl stands nearby. A seated woman holds a baby on her lap, and a child is visible on the steps of the house in the background. The garden surrounding them is filled with overgrown plants.

Portrait of Oliver Barberie and family, 1900, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136621963

Family history research guide

Uncover hidden stories of your heritage and trace your genealogy using our research guide.

Research guide

A black-and-white photograph showing a large wedding party posed on the steps of a wooden house. The group includes men, women, and children dressed in formal Victorian attire. The women are in elaborate dresses, some holding small bouquets. The men wear suits, some with top hats, and a small boy peeks around a door frame to the left.

Album of photographs of Bushy Park, Tasmania, and Dandenong, Victoria, 1875, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-139460187

Births, deaths and marriages

Find out how to access and use BDM records to link generations and branches of your family.

Research guide

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

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

Detail of the cover of 'Bringing them home : the "Stolen children" report' which features in image of a parent and child playing at sunrise

Australian Human Rights Commission, Bringing them home : the "Stolen children" report (1997) (detail), nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn6230268

Stolen Generations resources

If you are researching members of your family who were removed from their families under past Australian Government practices, you can find information documenting the experiences of Stolen Generations in our collection.

Research guide

Map of eastern Australia noting where there are organised churches, mission centres and outstations

Aborigines Inland Mission of Australia, A.I.M. field map, 1972, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2848085500

Missions and reserves records

Searching the administrative records of the missions and reserves can help you fill important gaps in your family history.

Research guide

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

5 First Nations Family History Books on a light shelf on display

Some of the First Nations family history reference books that can be found in our collection.

Getting started with First Nations family history

Find useful tips and things to keep in mind here as you start your family history journey.

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

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

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

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