Choose a starting point
A newspaper notice may open a family story; a parish map may lead to the land beneath a familiar house. Use the filters to find a source for your question, then follow its records into the Society’s library, photographs and newsletters.
Start a family history · Investigate a house · Browse historic maps
A resource may appear in more than one access group. A free account or index does not mean every record is free. Check the provider’s current terms before paying.
commercial genealogyAncestry
Australian, UK and US records, user-tree clues and DNA matches.
Free accountSome free collectionsSubscription for most records
- Free or paid?
- Free account; some collections and guides free; most record images and hints require membership (library access may provide it).
- Family tree approach
- Separate user trees; public trees are leads, not primary proof.
- What to keep in mind
- Membership tiers vary; free search does not imply free image access.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit provider · Provider access informationfree genealogyFamilySearch Historical Records and Family Tree
Worldwide indexes, images and unindexed image collections.
Free accountSome free imagesSome access restricted
- Free or paid?
- Free account; indexed data and some images free; some images have archive or licensing viewing limits.
- Family tree approach
- One collaborative/shared tree; records search is separate evidence.
- What to keep in mind
- Image availability varies; shared profiles need source review.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit provider · Provider access informationcommercial genealogyFindmypast
UK, Irish and Commonwealth records, newspapers, migration and military.
Free searchSome free recordsSubscription for most records
- Free or paid?
- Free signup and search; some records and newspaper pages free; most records require subscription.
- Family tree approach
- Separate user trees.
- What to keep in mind
- Useful detail or images are often paywalled.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit provider · Provider access informationcommercial genealogyMyHeritage
International records, user-tree matching and DNA matches.
Free searchSubscription for many records
- Free or paid?
- Search can be free; many record details/images require Data subscription; basic family site has limits.
- Family tree approach
- Separate user family sites/trees; matches are clues.
- What to keep in mind
- Data and family-site subscriptions differ; verify matched evidence.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit provider · Provider access informationcollaborative treeWikiTree
Sourced deep ancestry and collaborative DNA projects.
Free accessFree account
- Free or paid?
- Free access and membership; living-person privacy controls apply.
- Family tree approach
- One collaborative world tree.
- What to keep in mind
- Community edited; sourcing and accuracy vary.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit provider · Provider access informationcollaborative treeGeni
Public profile discovery and cousin collaboration.
Free basic accountPaid features available
- Free or paid?
- Basic account free; Pro adds search, matching and media features.
- Family tree approach
- Collaborative World Family Tree with merged profiles.
- What to keep in mind
- Merged tree conflicts and Pro-only features; verify user-contributed data.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerAustralian free sourceTrove
Notices, reports, advertisements, people and place context.
Free searchMany free imagesRestrictions vary
- Free or paid?
- Free search and reading for many digitised newspapers, books, images and diaries; copyright/access varies.
- What to keep in mind
- OCR errors, incomplete runs and copyright restrictions; inspect scans.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerAustralian government archiveNational Archives of Australia RecordSearch/NameSearch
Migration, naturalisation, defence and Commonwealth records.
Free searchSome free digital copiesSome copies paidSome access restricted
- Free or paid?
- Free catalogue/search; selected digital copies free; access applications or copies may involve fees.
- What to keep in mind
- Access status and privacy restrictions apply; retain series/item references.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerNSW government archiveMuseums of History NSW / State Archives family-history guide
Convicts, assisted immigrants, probate, schools, land and NSW government records.
Free searchMany free digital recordsSome copies paidAccess conditions apply
- Free or paid?
- Free guides, catalogue and many indexes/digitised records; reading-room entry is free subject to conditions; copies may be fee-based.
- What to keep in mind
- Records are arranged by creating agency; certificates come from the Registry.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerAustralian vital recordsNSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages
NSW births, marriages, deaths and pre-1856 church records.
Free historical indexCertificates paidAccess restrictions apply
- Free or paid?
- Historical index search free; certificates/family-history copies paid; open periods generally births >100, marriages >50 and deaths >30 years.
- What to keep in mind
- Open-date rules and privacy restrictions; certificates can contain informant errors.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerstate BDMRegistry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria
Victorian registrations and certificates.
Historical index searchImages and certificates paidAccess restrictions apply
- Free or paid?
- Search the historical index and view record summaries; full historical images and certificates are paid. Online transactions require the provider’s account arrangements.
- What to keep in mind
- The registry’s published restriction periods vary by event; a registration date can differ from an event date.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-29; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerstate BDMBirths, Deaths and Marriages South Australia
South Australian registrations.
No registry online indexCertificate applicationAccess restrictions apply
- Free or paid?
- The registry says it does not provide an online search facility. Apply for a historical certificate image; check the application for the current fee. Genealogy SA offers a separate online index.
- What to keep in mind
- Registry access periods vary by event. Genealogy SA is a separate organisation and its index is not the original certificate.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-29; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerstate BDMQueensland Births, Deaths and Marriages
Queensland registrations and interstate reconstruction.
Free historical searchImages and certificates paidAccess restrictions apply
- Free or paid?
- Free online historical search; available historical images and certificates are paid. Downloaded images and posted certificates have different delivery arrangements.
- What to keep in mind
- The index is not the full record. Eligibility periods and delivery conditions differ; check current terms.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-29; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerhouse/building and landNSW Historical Land Records Viewer
Parcel history, subdivisions, historic titles and parish/town maps.
Many historical records freeSome copies paid
- Free or paid?
- Free online viewing/search of many historical maps, plans, titles, registers and indexes; current title/deed searches and some copies can be fee-based.
- What to keep in mind
- Do not treat a free historical viewer image as a current title search.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providermaps and place historyNSW Spatial Services historical/parish maps
Parish, county, town and historic map context.
Download conditions vary
- Free or paid?
- Government spatial data and map services; download and licensing vary by dataset.
- What to keep in mind
- Map dates/scales vary; map presence does not prove ownership or building date.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerlocal library and house historyWingecarribee Public Libraries Local Studies
Local newspapers, photos, rate books, cemetery registers and council material.
Free catalogueSome access varies
- Free or paid?
- Free catalogue and local-studies guidance; physical access, appointments and database access may vary.
- What to keep in mind
- Partly on-site; check current availability.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerhouse/building and planningWingecarribee Shire Council Heritage
Heritage listings, conservation areas and studies.
Free heritage informationSome records paid
- Free or paid?
- Free heritage/LEP information and links; formal certificates and some records can be fee-based.
- What to keep in mind
- A listing is not a complete building history.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providermilitaryAustralian War Memorial collections
Service, unit, photograph, diary and nominal-roll research.
Free catalogueMany free digital recordsSome access restricted
- Free or paid?
- Free catalogue and many digitised records/images; copying, licensing and restricted access vary.
- What to keep in mind
- Not every service record is held or digitised; disambiguate names.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providercemetery and burialCemeteries & Crematoria NSW register
Locating a cemetery and its operator.
Free registerIndividual records vary
- Free or paid?
- Free NSW cemetery/crematorium register and operator contacts; burial registers vary by operator.
- What to keep in mind
- Not a complete grave-by-grave index.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerDNA genealogy educationISOGG Wiki
Autosomal, Y-DNA and mtDNA terminology and limitations.
Free reference
- Free or paid?
- Free community reference; no test purchase required.
- What to keep in mind
- Community maintained; use provider privacy policies for account decisions.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerDNA privacyNHGRI Genetic Testing and Privacy
General consent and privacy concepts.
Free reference
- Free or paid?
- Free US government educational material.
- What to keep in mind
- US material is not Australian legal advice; check provider terms and Australian requirements.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerAustralian vital recordsWestern Australia: historical BDM index
Finding historical Western Australian births, marriages and deaths before ordering copies.
Free historical indexCertificates paid
- Free or paid?
- Free online historical index; certificates and registry searches can incur fees.
- What to keep in mind
- Coverage and open periods differ by event; an index entry is not the complete certificate.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerAustralian vital recordsTasmanian Names Index and digitised records
Early Tasmanian births, marriages, deaths, church records and other archives.
Free searchMany free imagesAccess conditions apply
- Free or paid?
- Free online name search and many digitised historical register images; check the specific record and access conditions.
- What to keep in mind
- Coverage differs by record series; some registers are incomplete. Later records are held by the registry.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerAustralian vital recordsNorthern Territory: BDM historical searches
Requesting eligible Northern Territory birth, death and marriage searches.
Search feeProof of identity required
- Free or paid?
- The registry says historical searches require contacting its office, proof of identity and a search fee.
- What to keep in mind
- Not the same as an unrestricted public online index; access periods, identity requirements and fees apply.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerAustralian vital recordsACT historical marriage and death indexes
Finding ACT marriage and death registrations and the appropriate registry reference.
Free historical indexesCertificates may cost
- Free or paid?
- Free searchable historical marriage and death indexes; certificates are a separate service and may cost.
- What to keep in mind
- Indexes provide limited information, and dates and access restrictions differ by record type; check earlier NSW records too.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerAustralian genealogy societyGenealogy SA online databases
South Australian birth, death, marriage, newspaper and other family-history indexes.
Free index searchSome member servicesConditions apply
- Free or paid?
- Online index searches are free. Some information, transcriptions or research services have membership or other conditions.
- What to keep in mind
- Indexes are extracts. Coverage and availability vary; obtain the original record when needed.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-29; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerAustralian archives and researchAIATSIS Family History
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family history, finding records and specialist support.
Free guidanceSome records restricted
- Free or paid?
- Free online guides and worksheets; access conditions can apply to records and personal research assistance.
- What to keep in mind
- Records may be restricted, incomplete or reflect the biases of the people and institutions that created them.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerAustralian archives and researchState Library of NSW Pictures Collections
Historic photographs, artworks, landscapes and documentary images.
Free guidanceSome reproduction costs
- Free or paid?
- Free online catalogue and research guide; some copying or publication requires permission and may incur charges.
- What to keep in mind
- Check individual catalogue records and ask the Library about copyright, restrictions and publication permission.
Access information last reviewed 2026-10-28; check the provider for current terms.
Visit providerAustralian archives and researchNSW Aboriginal Family Records Service
Aboriginal people seeking records about themselves or direct ancestors affected by past NSW government policies.
Conditions or restrictions
- Free or paid?
- Eligibility, identity and consent requirements apply; contact the service about access.
- What to keep in mind
- Most holdings are from 1940-1969; personal records outside that period are limited. The service prioritises Stolen Generations survivors and descendants, and does not provide confirmation of Aboriginality.
Access information last reviewed 31 October 2026; check the provider for current terms.
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