Welcome
Welcome to the State Library of Victoria’s Such was life blog. Here we’ll explore both new and historic Library collections that relate to Australia’s past. We’ll showcase our favourite items,… Read More ›
Articles by: News Editor
Magic Pamphlets in the Alma collection
Performing Arts, Rare Books & Arts:
One of the delights of the WG Alma Conjuring Collection is a collection of magic pamphlets. They cover a wide array of conjuring techniques from training doves and showmanship to… Read More ›
Save your census!
Family matters, Research guides:
Historic census records include a bounty of genealogical details which bring family histories to life. Census records can illuminate where people lived and who they lived with, what kind of work they did, and provide… Read More ›
What was Sir Donald Bradman doing in 1953?
According to the Passenger lists leaving the UK 1890 to 1960 available on findmypast.co.uk he and his wife were travelling first class on board the Oronsay, bound for his home… Read More ›
British parliamentary papers & your family history
Collections, Family matters, Research tips & tricks, Websites:
British parliamentary papers might seem an unlikely source of information about your family’s history, but they are well worth digging in to. Bearing in mind how far the British Empire… Read More ›
Finding early Australian census records
Family matters, Research guides, Research tips & tricks:
Finding early Australian census records, using the Library’s new online research guide.
Speaking of the Baroque
If you’ve been watching Waldemar Januszczak’s three-part series on the Baroque, on ABC1, you’ll no doubt be disappointed there are no more opulent episodes of OTT arty eye candy to… Read More ›
Vintage TV magic
Rare Books & Arts, Television:
Elegant tuxedos, droll patter and effortless prestidigitation abound in a series of dvds from the Miracle Factory, celebrating magic in the early days of television. Early TV Magic Among… Read More ›
Plastic bags in Arts
Proof you can make art from anything. still from Plastic Bag, 2010, from Futurestates TV This wonderful little film, by Ramin Bahrani and narrated by Werner Herzog, deserves to be… Read More ›
European Masters: Städel Museum
Painting, Rare Books & Arts, Visual arts:
The NGV International recently launched the latest of its winter masterpieces exhibitions, European Masters: Städel Museum, 19th–20th Century. There will be works from all over Europe presented, but I think… Read More ›
