Family History Service

The Family History Service at the State Library of New South Wales is designed to help people discover information about their ancestors and the histories of their families.

For example, you could use resources held in the State Library to find out when your great-great-great-grandparents were born, married and died, what they did and where they lived. If they came to Australia from overseas, you might be able to find out when they came and the name of the ship in which they travelled.

If you are interested in researching Australian, and particularly New South Wales genealogy, you may also find useful resources in the Mitchell Library.

Family History FAQs

Family history databases at the State Library
There are a number of databases related to family history which are available for use in the State Library.

Family history resources on the Internet
A selection of Internet links designed to direct you to resources containing information which will help you research your family history.

Getting Started Guides
The State Library has produced a number of Getting started guides to assist clients in using the State Library collections for their family history research. These guides cover popular topics and suggest resources which are useful starting points for research.

Major genealogical resources in the Family History Service

• Australian birth, death and marriage indexes
• State Records of New South Wales archives resources kit
• St Catherine's House Index (Birth, death and marriage indexes for England and Wales)
• Family search, which includes the international genealogical index
• Irish transportation records
• Tithe applotment books (Ireland)
• Electoral rolls
• Sands directories
• Ships passenger lists
• Indexes to cemetery records
• Indexes to probate records

Librarians in the Family History Service can advise you of other relevant resources and services of the State Library.

Clients who are not able to visit the Library are welcome to Ask a Librarian for assistance.