Family history
Finding out about your family’s history is an important part of learning about your heritage.
The following resources can help if you want to trace your family tree.
Queensland Government records
The registration of births, deaths and marriages has been compulsory for the majority of people in Queensland since 1856. They could be a good place to start your family research.
Find out about family history research—how to search historical births, deaths and marriage records.
Queensland State Archives
Queensland State Archives holds a wide range of records useful for family history research, including:
- immigration records
- wills
- inquests
- naturalisations
- land records
- convict registers
- school admission registers
You can also:
- find out how to get started with your research
- read brief guides and search procedures that will help you find different types of records
- search online indexes to find records relating to people.
Find out about coming to the Queensland State Archives including opening hours and facilities.
Contact us if you have a specific reference enquiry.
Library collections
Libraries have large archives of historical documents and records that could be useful in your family research. Visit the:
You will find advice on how to start researching your family tree and tips on how to plan and focus your research.
Documents held by the libraries include:
- electoral rolls
- shipping records and lists of passengers immigrating to Australia
- census information
- cemetery records
- details of inquests and probate
- convict records
- old newspapers and letters.
State Library of Queensland info guides on topics like births, deaths and marriages, railway employees, land records and immigration, will give you tips on how to use different sets of information.
Search the eResources database at the National Library of Australia for official and historical documents.
Check other libraries and archives around Australia and overseas. They could have more, helpful information including military and service records, immigration files, and registers of births, deaths and marriages.
Historical societies
Historical and genealogical societies have researchers and volunteers who can help with your family history search.
Some of these societies also have large reference libraries collected over many years. Catalogues may be specific to a town or district and can cover a variety of areas, including:
- shipping records
- police gazettes
- government gazettes
- maps
- family journals.
You can get advice on searching your family history and access to their catalogues if you join a society. Membership, joining and other fees may apply.
Look for a society in your area
Ancestry organisations
There are many private ancestry organisations offering in-depth online searches that you can access from home. You can do a basic family search, but to progress further you have to pay a fee.
You can find these organisations online and in phone directories.