- About this Archives in Brief
- Searching for records relating to a locality
- Preliminary research
- Online resources
- Colonial Secretary's records
- Land records
- Lands Department records
- School records
- Railway records
- Hotel records
- Mining records
- Maritime records
- Public health records
- Roads water supply and sewerage records
- Records of inhabitants
- Other records
- Access
About this Archives in Brief
This AIB provides a brief overview of the major resources held by State Records relating to local history research. Other records can be identified in Archives Investigator, the Guide to using the Archives Resources Kit, Short Guides and the Departmental Special Bundle listings available in the reading rooms.
Searching for records relating to a locality
State Records houses the New South Wales government's archives collection. When searching for localities, the first step should be to determine what dealings the government of the day may have had with an area. You then need to consider which public office would be likely to have carried out the relevant government function.
Preliminary research
Preliminary use of the sources below can help you better identify possible public offices and record series that may assist you in your research.
- Printed sources such as books, newspapers and journal articles can help to establish when, how, and why a particular area was settled.
- Interviewing long time residents can help, especially if little research has previously been undertaken.
- Material may also be held in public libraries, local government archives, historical societies and the Mitchell Library.
- Printed government sources, including Government Gazettes, Parliamentary Papers and the Blue Books (Returns of the Colony) can also provide background information.
Online resources
Archives Investigator
Archives Investigator provides contextual information that can help to identify which public office administered which government function at a particular time. AI is a valuable tool for local history research. Records are listed by series title and item title, often showing the locality name.
Currently only a small proportion of State archives are listed in AI, and other guides, in particular the Concise Guide, and finding aids should also be consulted. See Archives in Brief 52 for further information.
Indexes
Many of State Records' online indexes mention various localities and are therefore excellent sources for local history research.
Colonial Secretary's records
The Colonial Secretary had widespread administrative responsibilities. The Colonial Secretary's Department acted as the channel of communications between the Governor, other Government offices and private settlers. Consequently the Colonial Secretary's records are an important source for correspondence relating to alienate and leased Crown lands.
The Index to the Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1825 is arranged alphabetically and by subject/locality. Researchers should also check the online Index to the NRS 907 Colonial Secretary's letters received relating to land, 1826-1856.
Land records
State Records holds information on the original alienation and occupation of Crown land.
Surveyor General's records
The Surveyor General was responsible for exploring and surveying New South Wales and the alienation of Crown Land. Click here for the listing of Surveyor General's Records in the Archives Investigator.
Maps
State Records has a large collection of original surveys and maps of areas in New South Wales. See the Index to Surveyor General's Select List of Maps and Plans 1792-1886. Also consult the Index to Maps and Plans, available in the reading rooms.Field books
The records of the Surveyor General include Surveyors field books are searchable in the Index to Surveyors' field books, 1794-1860.
Registers of land grants and leases
For land grants and purchases, consult the registers of land grants and leases, listed in Archives Investigator and Short Guide 8: Land Grants, 1788-1856.
Land and Property Information New South Wales (LPI) records
Land and Property Information New South Wales maintains records on the transfer of land ownership. These records are held by LPI.Maps
Land and Property Information New South Wales has scanned available parish, county, pastoral, town and municipal maps. Scanned maps cans be viewed on the Lands Department website at www.lands.nsw.gov.au
For further information on records relating to the transfer of land landownership you can contact LPI at the URL above or at:
Land and Property Information1 Prince Albert Road
Queens Square
Sydney NSW 2001
Telephone: (02) 9228 6666
Lands Department records
The Lands Department was responsible for the alienation and occupation of Crown Lands from 1859. Common forms of occupation included conditional purchase, conditional lease, pastoral holdings, and occupation licences. See Archives Investigator for records of the Lands Department and Western Lands Commission and the interim Guide to Occupation of Crown lands, available in the reading rooms.
School records
For records prior to 1848, check Archives Investigator for records of the Colonial Secretary and the Clergy and School Lands Corporation. The administrative correspondence of the various education authorities (from 1848) provides valuable insight into the development of a locality. See the interim guides The Administration of Education Under Two Boards, 1848-66; and The Council of Education, 1866-1880, which are available in the reading rooms.
For the period c.1880-c.1979, consult the online Schools Index, 1876-1979. See also Short Guide 6: Department of Education - subject files, 1875-1948, and Archives in Brief 26. The series NRS 15051 Department of Education photographic collection, may also be of interest.
Comparatively few pupil records have survived. Check with reading room staff for details of surviving records.
See the online Schools Index and Archives in Brief 76 for further information.
Railway records
The bulk of State Rail's archives collection was transferred to State Records in 2000. Records include photographs, survey field books, maps and plans and historical notes. Part of this collection is described and listed in Archives Investigator. See also Archives in Brief 54.
Hotel records
Many of the records held for hotels relate to the licensing of publicans and the government's control of the establishment's finances. Consult Archives Investigator under the headings Licensing Courts and Licenses Reduction Board, Archives in Brief 61 and the interim guide to Publicans' licences, available in the reading rooms, for a list of useful sources.
Public building records
For information concerning the planning and erection of public buildings check the interim guide to the records of the Government (Colonial) Architect, Archives Investigator for records of the Colonial Secretary, Government Architect and Public Works, Public Works special bundle listings and Archives in Brief 71. For safety inspections of theatres, public halls, shops, factories and public buildings, see Archives Investigator for records of the Board of Fire Commissioners. State Records holds photographs, maps and plans that may also help to document the history of buildings. See Archives Investigator the card index to maps and plans and Archives in Brief 70 for further information. Parliamentary Papers may also be of interest.
For information on post offices and lighthouses contact the National Archives of Australia.
Mining records
State Records holds a few general registers concerning mining activities. These are generally arranged by locality. For these and other mining records, check Archives Investigator its successors and other relevant public offices.
Maritime records
For records relating to maritime issues consult Archives Investigator for records of the Public Works Department; Maritime Services Board; Marine Board; Navigation; Sydney Harbour Trust and/or Harbours, Pilots and Lighthouses.
Public health records
Records covering health issues are listed in the Archives Investigator under Health. Of note are the NRS 4858 Sanitary Inspection files, 1897-1964, which are arranged by locality.
Roads water supply and sewerage records
For records relating to these amenities consult Archives Investigator for those created by the Colonial Secretary, the Lands Department and the Department of Public Works.
Records of inhabitants
Many of the records held by State Records provide information about the inhabitants of an area. Useful finding aids are Short Guide 1: Electoral rolls and Short Guide 12: Muster and Census Records.
Colonial Secretary's records
Individuals are well documented in the Colonial Secretary's correspondence. Consult the interim guide to the Colonial Secretary's correspondence, the Index to the Colonial Secretary's Correspondence, 1788-1825, and Archives Investigator. Archives in Brief 64 Archives in Brief 65 and Archives in Brief 104 (PDF) provide a brief overview of the correspondence.
Law enforcement records
Police Gazettes, 1852-1929, contain entries and photographs of people.
Court records
Court records, depositions and related documents provide a wealth of information about inhabitants of an area. The various court jurisdictions can be found in Archives Investigator.
See also the Index to Bench of Magistrates records, 1788-1820, and the Index to the Clerk of the Peace: Quarter Sessions, 1824-37
Prison records
Prison records include, from the 1870's, photographs of prisoners with details of conviction and personal history.
Other records
Other information on individuals can be obtained from records of:
| Other records | See |
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Assisted and unassisted immigrants arriving in New South Wales, 1788-1922, and crew records. |
Archives in Brief 1 and Archives in Brief 21, Archives in Brief 24, Archives in Brief 101 (PDF) and Archives in Brief 102 (PDF) for further information. |
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Administration and operation of the convict system. |
See the Guide to Convict Records (Convict Guide) and Archives in Brief 2 and Archives in Brief 34 and Archives in Brief 102 (PDF) for further information. |
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Professions and occupations | Short Guide No. 10: Professions and occupations, |
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Deceased estate files, 1880-1958 |
Archives in Brief 29.
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Probate packets, from 1817. | Archives in Brief 84. |
Access
Researchers should consult the Register of Access Directions, on the State Records website to confirm the public availability of the records. State Records' staff can advise you on the availability of records if they are not listed on the register.
© State of New South Wales through the State Records Authority, 2003.
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