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Family history and genealogy

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A black-and-white photograph shows a group of soldiers marching down a street with rifles over their shoulders. They are accompanied by civilians, who walk arm-in-arm with the soldiers, smiling and engaging with the crowd. The street is busy with people, and buildings can be seen in the background.

Fairfax Corporation, Departing troops walking with their families down Macquarie Street, 1914, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-162908974

Find your military ancestors

This guide provides resources from the Library and beyond to help you trace the military history of your ancestors, including records from Australia, New Zealand and the British Army.

Research guide
A black-and-white photo of a smiling family in swimsuits, standing together in shallow water at Manly Beach. The background shows pine trees and other beachgoers. The picture was taken in 1923 in New South Wales, Australia.

Noel Minchin, A family at Manly beach, New South Wales, 1923, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-140924016

Find family and friends

If you're trying to reconnect with friends or relatives, there are a range of resources and organisations that can help you.

Research guide
A black-and-white photo of a family posed outside a brick house with a white picket fence. In the foreground, a man in a bowler hat sits beside a large dog, while a young girl stands nearby. A seated woman holds a baby on her lap, and a child is visible on the steps of the house in the background. The garden surrounding them is filled with overgrown plants.

Portrait of Oliver Barberie and family, 1900, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136621963

Family history research guide

Uncover hidden stories of your heritage and trace your genealogy using our research guide.

Research guide
A black-and-white photograph showing a large wedding party posed on the steps of a wooden house. The group includes men, women, and children dressed in formal Victorian attire. The women are in elaborate dresses, some holding small bouquets. The men wear suits, some with top hats, and a small boy peeks around a door frame to the left.

Album of photographs of Bushy Park, Tasmania, and Dandenong, Victoria, 1875, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-139460187

Birth, death and marriage records

Find out how to access and use these records to link generations and branches of your family.

Research guide
Cover of book 'Lookin for your mob: a guide to tracing Aboriginal family trees'

Diane Smith and Boronia Halstead, Lookin for your mob : a guide to tracing Aboriginal family trees by Diane Smith and Boronia Halstead, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn354970

Finding First Australians family history

Access resources to help you research your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family history.

Research guide
A black and white photo of a man playing a guitar on a boat

Frank Hurley, A diver entertains while on his way to the fishing grounds, 1910, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-157724827

Torres Strait Islands collection

Highlights collection items in our catalogue from the 5 major island clusters in the Torres Straits Region.

Research guide
Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal tribes of Australia, 1940

Norman B Tindale, Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal tribes of Australia, 1940, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-230054338

First Australians language collections

Explore manuscripts and records that give a glimpse into the approximately 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

Research guide
Man reading through a thick, leather-bound book of shipping registers

Lloyd's register of shipping, 1914-1949, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn729906

Discovering your ancestors’ migration story: Part 2

Our Special Collections Research & Support team are back with answers to more common questions that can help can uncover your ancestors' migration story.

Blog
Two women and four men, who make up the Library's Special Collections Research & Support team, standing and smiling in the Special Collections Reading Room in front of a table with three maps on it

Special Collections Research & Support team

Discovering your ancestors’ migration story: Part 1

Our Special Collections Research & Support team have answered common questions that can help can uncover your ancestor’s migration story.

Blog
Husband and wife sitting at a table with a large cake and vases of flowers in front of them

John Joseph and Harriett Willson Denison celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, November 1939, nla.obj-151150861

Beginner’s guide to family history research

See how to get started with your family history research and how the Library can help along the way.

Blog
Family history desk common questions blog
Most common family history questions we get asked at the Library: Part 2

In our second blog, find out how to find information on births, deaths, addresses and property records.

Blog
National Library Special Collections Research and support Team
Most common family history questions we get asked at the Library: Part 1

In the first of two blogs, learn about birth certificates, First Nations family history, electoral rolls, and cemetery records.

Blog

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