Local History Guide

Searching for records relating to a locality

We hold 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

Our catalogue provides contextual information that can help to identify which public office administered which government function at a particular time. It is a valuable tool for local history research. Records are listed by series title and item title, often showing the locality name.

Other guides and indexes should also be consulted. Many 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 alienated 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 Colonial Secretary's letters received relating to land, 1826-1856.

Land records

We hold 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.

See the listing of  Agency No 1773 Surveyor General's Records in our catalogue.

Maps

We have a large collection of original surveys, maps and crown plans of areas in New South Wales.

See the Index to Surveyor General's Crown Plans 1792-1886. Also consult the Index to Maps and Plans, available in the reading room.

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 our catalogue and Land Grants Guide, 1788-1856.

NSW Land Registry Services

NSW Land Registry Services maintains records on the transfer of land ownership in NSW. Historical maps, plans, titles and indexes can be searched on Historical Land Records Viewer (HLVR).

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 our catalogue for records of the Lands Department and Western Lands Commission and the interim Guide to Occupation of Crown lands, available in the reading room.

School records

Pre-1848

For records prior to 1848, check our catalogue 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 Administration of Education Under Two Boards, 1848-66 (PDF, 18.5mb); and The Council of Education, 1866-1880 (PDF, 10mb), also available in the reading room.

c.1880-c.1979

For the period c.1880-c.1979, consult the:

• Schools Guide
• Schools Index, 1876-1979
• NRS 3830: Department of Education - subject files, 1875-1948

The series NRS 15051 Department of Education photographic collection, may also be of interest. The photos are being progressively digitised an made available online.

Comparatively few pupil records have survived. Check the School Records / Pupil Records Guide and with reading room staff for details of surviving records.

Railway records

The bulk of State Rail's archives collection was transferred to us in 2000. Records include photographs, survey field books, maps and plans and historical notes. Part of this collection is described and listed in our catalogue and the Railways Guide.

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:

• Publican's Licenses Guide
• our catalogue under the headings Licensing Courts and Licenses Reduction Board
• interim guide to Publicans' licences, available in the reading room, for a list of useful sources.

Public building records

Building

For information concerning the planning and erection of public buildings check the:

• Government (Colonial) Architect Guide
• our catalogue for records of the Colonial Secretary, Government Architect and Public Works
• NRS 12419: Public Works special bundle listings

Safety Inspections

For safety inspections of theatres, public halls, shops, factories and public buildings, see our catalogue for records of the Board of Fire Commissioners.

History

We hold photographs, maps and plans that may also help to document the history of buildings. See:

• our catalogue
• the card index to maps and plans in the reading room
• and Photos in the Archives for further information.

Parliamentary Papers may also be of interest.

Records at NAA

For information on post offices and lighthouses contact the National Archives of Australia.

Mining records

We hold a few general registers concerning mining activities. These are generally arranged by locality. For these and other mining records, check our catalogue under Agency 76, Department of Mines, its successors and other relevant public offices.

Maritime records

For records relating to maritime issues consult our catalogue 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 our catalogue 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 our catalogue for those created by the Colonial Secretary, the Lands Department and the Department of Public Works.

Records of inhabitants

Many of the records in our collection provide information about the inhabitants of an area. Useful finding aids are the Electoral Rolls Guide and the Census / Musters Guide.

Colonial Secretary's records

Individuals are well documented in the Colonial Secretary's correspondence. Start your research with the Colonial Secretary Overview Guide. 

Law enforcement records

NRS 10958 Police Gazettes, 1862-1929, 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 our catalogue.

See also the Bench of Magistrates Index, 1788-1820 and the Quarter Sessions Indexes (Clerk of the Peace, 1824-1837) .

Prison records

Prison records (Agency 1) include, from the 1870s, photographs of prisoners with details of conviction and personal history.

Other records

Other information on individuals can be obtained from records of: