Here at last! The 1921 census for England and Wales

Here at last! The 1921 census for England and Wales

March 19, 2025

census, census records, British records, Family matters, Uncategorized:

Great news for anyone interested in British history. The 1921 census for England and Wales can now be accessed onsite at State Library Victoria through both the FindMyPast and Ancestry databases.

Online Collection Spotlight: Women’s Voices and Life Writing, 1600-1968

Online Collection Spotlight: Women’s Voices and Life Writing, 1600-1968

March 7, 2025

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

What was it like being a debutante on the lookout for a husband in the 1800s? Or serving in the Women’s Land Army in the Second World War? This database provides access to a treasure trove of manuscripts, diaries and oral histories, offering a unique insight into the lives of women, their thoughts, feelings and experiences, told in their own words.

Unique format, unique challenges: pop-up and movable books at State Library Victoria

Unique format, unique challenges: pop-up and movable books at State Library Victoria

February 28, 2025

Collection Care, Conservation, Uncategorized:

At State Library Victoria we have close to 1000 pop-up and movable books, ranging from the mid-1600s to present day. These items represent one of few three-dimensional, interactive mediums in history that has enduring appeal. However, with great ingenuity come considerable conservation challenges. Learn about the factors that make pop-up and movable books so captivating, yet uniquely susceptible to physical wear and tear.

Online Collection Spotlight: 1980s Culture and Society

Online Collection Spotlight: 1980s Culture and Society

February 21, 2025

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

From consumer culture and conservatism to subculture and socialism, the AM 1980s Culture and Society database paints a vivid portrait of life in this dynamic decade.

Courting in the colony: finding a partner in 19th-century Australia

Courting in the colony: finding a partner in 19th-century Australia

February 13, 2025

Social life & customs, Victorian history:

The course of true love never did run smooth, but what was it like finding love in early colonial Australia?

Redmond Barry statue in front of the State Library Victoria

Happy birthday to us: Redmond Barry and the Library

February 11, 2025

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

On 11 February our Library celebrates our 169th birthday. While based on the world’s great libraries, our Library was also a radical departure. Ours was a library with unrestricted access to anyone over 14, with every book available to view. The primary driver of the Library was Redmond Barry. While generally remembered as the judge at the Ned Kelly trial, Redmond Barry’s pioneering contribution to Melbourne’s cultural and educational heritage is unsurpassed

‘Shooting the chute’ at Princes Court

‘Shooting the chute’ at Princes Court

January 24, 2025

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

What could be considered Australia’s first major amusement park – Princes Court – opened in 1904 on the banks of Melbourne’s Yarra River. Visitors had a range of amusements to choose from, including the 70-foot-high water chute ride, toboggan tracks and a Japanese tea house.

Online Collection Spotlight: Life at sea

Online Collection Spotlight: Life at sea

January 17, 2025

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Where can I learn about the American whaling industry? What would a ship’s master have in his chest? What would the dying words of a pirate be? And can anyone help me to tell the flags of the Union and Orient shipping lines apart? Find out all of this and more in the AM Digital database Life at Sea: Seafaring in the Anglo-American Maritime World, 1600-1900.

A passion for adventure: Agatha Christie in Victoria

A passion for adventure: Agatha Christie in Victoria

January 13, 2025

Arts & literature:

In 1922 Agatha Christie accompanied her husband on an around the world tour to promote the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. On her travels, she spent 10 days in Victoria- find out what she thought…

A ghost story for Christmas

A ghost story for Christmas

December 23, 2024

Arts & literature, Our stories, Social life & customs, Victorian history:

Colonial Australians have always battled to bring British and European traditions to the Christmas season. Roast meat and gravy, puddings and finery can still be found at many Christmas events. What is less likely to be found is the curious tradition of the Christmas Eve ghost story.

Such was life

Courting in the colony: finding a partner in 19th-century Australia

Courting in the colony: finding a partner in 19th-century Australia

February 13, 2025 15 comments

The course of true love never did run smooth, but what was it like finding love in early colonial Australia?

Arts

Victoria’s State Artist: Harold Freedman

Victoria’s State Artist: Harold Freedman

December 10, 2024 4 comments

Cavalacde of Transport, The Story of Fire and The history of Australian thoroughbred racing are some of Melbourne’s largest and most seen artworks. These were from the hands of Harold Freedman, locally born and bred, whose exploration of monumental art came later in his life.