The National Library of Australia has been actively collecting Federation material since 1903. As a result it holds many unique manuscript collections relating to Federation, including the letters, diaries and scrapbooks of politicians and organisations.

In 1908 the Commonwealth Parliament passed the Seat of Government Act 1908, designating the Yass-Queanbeyan area for Australia's Capital Territory.

Ephemera is material which is designed to be short lived and which is often not kept by its recipient.

Find detailed records of Federal Government processes, actions, documents, statements and commentaries in our collection.

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

While Indigenous Australians have inhabited the continent for tens of thousands of years, and traded with nearby islanders, the first documented landing on Australia by a European was in 1606.

Use this guide to help find and access resources in our collection about Australia's climate action protests, anti-mining protests and the Franklin Dam blockade. 

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.

Elections and referendums are key turning points in Australia’s political history.

This guide will help you find and view different types of ebooks in the Library collections.