Our Short Guides are designed to provide easy reference to record series relating to a particular subject or area of research.

» 1. Electoral rolls
We hold a number of early manuscript and printed electoral rolls in the records of the Colonial Secretary's Office. This guide lists those known to be held, Electoral Rolls, 1842-64, CGS 1199. | More |

» 2. Birth, death and marriage records
These records listed also include those such as baptisms, convicts' applications to marry, coroners' inquests and probate. | More |

» 3. Returns of the Colony 'Blue Books'
The Returns of the Colony ('Blue Books'), CGS 1286 consist of sets of statistical returns of the Colony of NSW and of areas under its jurisdiction compiled annually from 1822 to 1857 by the Colonial Secretary for transmission to the Secretary of State for the Colonies in London. | More |

» 4. Attorney General and Justice - Registry of BDMs
State registration of births, deaths and remarriages commenced in NSW on 1st March 1856. This guide covers registers of births, deaths and marriages for 1787-1856. | More |

» 5. Licences for marriage to free persons, Mar 1813-26 Dec 1827
This guide provides an Index to the Abstract of all licences for marriage granted to free persons, 17 March 1813 - 26 December 1827. The information given in the Abstract includes number of licence; date of licence; names of parties; and, where, when and by whom the marriage was solemnised. In many cases name of parent (father and mother), name of previous spouse (for women only), occupation, and place of residence are also recorded. | More |

» 6. Department of Education - subject files, 1875-1948
These files deal with the administration of the Education Department and matters relating to education generally. Subjects covered are diverse, ranging from routine administrative matters to policy issues. The correspondence is incomplete for many subjects however; some subjects are covered in some detail, for example Parents and Citizens Associations, Schools of Arts and Teachers' Colleges. | More |

» 7. 1901 Census - collectors' books
The 1901 Census is the latest census held by State Records. This guide provides a list of the Collectors' Books which are arranged alphabetically by census district. Each subdistrict is allocated a number or letter and is arranged chronologically within the census district. Many of the subdistricts include a map and a brief description of the area boundaries; all identify the collector responsible for the area. | More |

» 8. Land grants, 1788-1856
The records listed in this Short Guide relate to the original alienation of land from the Crown. Alienation of land lead to the granting of freehold title, or land grants. | More |

» 9. Naturalization and Denization Records, 1834-1903
The naturalization and denization records described in this guide contain details of citizenship rights granted to aliens of non-British origin between 1834 and 1903. These people came from a wide range of national backgrounds - Chinese, Danish, French, German, Italian and Polish to name a few. | More |

» 10. Professions and Occupations: A select list of records
This guide lists a selection of the more significant State archives relating to particular professions and occupations. | More |

11. [Deleted]

» 12. Muster and Census Records
This Guide lists the more significant State archives relating to muster and census records, 1788-1901. Sections of the guide cover records that are available for: New South Wales; Norfolk Island and Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). Other sections include copies of records from the Public Record Office in London, printed sources and related records. | More |

» 13. Surveyors' Field Books (now a searchable online index)
Field books are diaries of surveying expeditions, descriptions of natural features, sketches of farms, town allotments and roads. Trigonometrical observations and triangulation surveys are also included. In some field books references to map and plan catalogue numbers have been added.
This guide was previously published as Information Leaflet 14. It is now a searchable online index. | More |