State Library of Queensland > Collections > Family history

FAMILY HISTORY

Explore family history: Cribb and Foote family photograph, Image No. 187200

The State Library of Queensland has a large collection of genealogical resources. The resources cover records from Queensland, other Australian states and other countries. There are a significant number of resources relating to Australian and British ancestry.

Convicts

Convicts were transported to Australia between 1787 and 1868. Our collection includes copies of British and Australian government records with an emphasis on records for convicts transported to NSW.

Above: Thomas Dowse, Town Clerk of Brisbane and ex-convict, Image No. 63310

General family history resources

The collection holds an extensive range of resources that can assist those wishing to find out about their ancestors - biographical resources, census records, electoral rolls and many more.

John and Alice Wagstaff and family, Image No. 24756

Births, deaths and marriages

The indexes published by the Australian state registries of births, deaths and marriages form the central part of this collection. The indexes are supported by select parish records and an extensive newspaper collection, particularly for Queensland.

Above: Reginald Hartigan and Clarice Johnson playing dress-ups in wedding costume, 1915, Image No. 42216

Immigration and shipping

Immigration to Australia in the 19th and early 20th centuries was by ship. The collection consists mainly of Australian indexes and lists and is supported by many othe resources within the State Library's collections.

Above: Drawing of migrants disembarking from a ship, ca. 1885, Image No. 62474

How do I access items in this collection?

Access at the State Library of Queensland

Find items in the collection via our One Search catalogue.
Browse Levels 2, 3 and 4 or request items from onsite ‘Closed Access’ storage with your e-services card. If you order Closed Access items via the One Search catalogue ahead of your visit, items should be waiting for you when you arrive. You can order up to 3 days in advance. See delivery times for more information.
Use our e-collections computers on level 2 to search the library’s catalogue; to search our databases for electronic journal, magazine and newspaper articles and to view images and manuscripts from our collection. These e-collections computers do not need to be booked and have no time limits on their use.
You can also access our electronic resources via the State Library’s free wireless service if you have a laptop. Check our Info Guide on how to access wireless for details.

Access offsite

You can access selected offsite databases to search for electronic journal, magazine and newspaper articles. You will be prompted to login with your e-services card or QPL account.
Some State Library items are available for loan to other libraries. Contact your local library for information about interlibrary loan and copy services.

Family history