The National Archives (UK) holds many records which can help you find out about people's lives, deaths and careers.

The National Archives (of Ireland) Genealogy website provides access to:

  • Census Records for 1901 and 1911
  • Census survivals for 1821-51
  • Census Search forms for 1841-51
  • Tithe Applotment Books from 1823 to 1837
  • Soldiers’ Wills from 1914 to 1917, and the
  • Calendars of Wills and Administrations from 1858 to 1922

ScotlandsPeople contains a comprehensive choice of Scottish records to bring your Scotland ancestry, including census records, wills, birth certificates and death certificates.

The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) holds many valuable sources for family history research.

Collins Tracing your family history

Collins tracing your family history / Anthony Adolph.  Collins, London,  2008.
Call number: RX Genealogy 36

Carter, Jeff, 1928-2010. The Rosos at home [picture]
Jeff Carter, The Rosos at home, 1955, nla.obj-147208649

Overseas family history-related resources are available in a variety of formats including online, CDROM, microfiche, microfilm and books. Overseas libraries and archives hold material relevant to their own region. See our Other libraries and archives page in this guide.

Many family history resources are available electronically. You can search eResources for known databases or browse titles under Genealogy (visit the eResources portal, click the Browse eResources tab and select Genealogy).

In eResources you can find bookmarked free websites, networked family history CDs and subscription services. You will need to come to the Library's reading rooms to use some of these.

Online

  • Ancestry (Library edition)

    • Visit the eResources portal, click the Browse eResources tab and search for 'ancestry'.

    • The Library's subscription to Ancestry.com currently includes access to thousands of worldwide resources including a range of European countries.

  • Find My Past (World edition)

    • Visit the eResources portal, click the Browse eResources tab and search for 'find my past'.
    • Currently, Find My Past has thousands of worldwide resources available including a range of databases from European countries.

Selected websites

Microfilmed and other published material

Numerous microfilmed products are available on open access in the Newspapers and Family History zone in the Main Reading Room. These can be identified in our Family History Sources guide under the relevant State or Territory.

A selection of print publications is also available in our reference section. These include:

Passengers decending the stairs of a Qantas airplane upon arrival at Mascot, 1961 [picture]

Passengers decending the stairs of a Qantas airplane upon arrival at Mascot, 1961 [picture] / Jeff Carter  1961

The Family Tree guidebook to Europe

The Family Tree guidebook to Europe : your essential guide to trace your genealogy in Europe  / Allison Dolan and the editors of Family Tree Magazine.  Family Tree Books : Cincinnati, Ohio,  2013.
Call number: RX 929.107204 D659

Tracing your British Indian ancestors : a guide for family historians

Tracing your British Indian ancestors : a guide for family historians by Emma Jolly
Barnsley : Pen & Sword Family History, 2012
Call number: RX 929.1072054 J837

Not sure where to start?

Ask a librarian

The National Library of Australia acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples – the First Australians – as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and gives respect to the Elders – past and present – and through them to all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Cultural Notification

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

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