Family matters

Autumn delights: Trial databases on travel, trailblazers and more!

Autumn delights: Trial databases on travel, trailblazers and more!

April 19, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Collections:

From new content in the Food and Drink in History database to three new databases available on trial, there’s plenty to discover online this Autumn. Trial databases cover empire studies, travel adventures of women in the 19th and 20th centuries, and trailblazing female forerunners in history. Explore and share your feedback!

Victorian CEDT Index : a new family history resource for Chinese Victorians

Victorian CEDT Index : a new family history resource for Chinese Victorians

March 23, 2022

Family matters, Research tips & tricks:

In 2021 the Chinese Australian Family Historians of Victoria Inc. (CAFHOV) launched a fascinating new resource, the Victorian CEDT index. This online resource indexes three registers of applications for Certificates Exempting from Dictation Test (CEDT), covering the years 1904-1959. Over 90% of the people listed were Chinese, however people with Indian, Japanese or Syrian ancestry are also included.

Committee Groups of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom with Disarmament Petition ready to go to Geneva, 1931, Herald Feature Service; MS9377/PHO4

Female writers, forbidden books and a fascinating romp through history: Trialling new Gale databases

February 28, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Collections, Our stories:

Our latest trial databases are treasure troves of historical material which surface stories of and by traditionally underrepresented and marginalised people. Should these form part of our collection? Let us know what you think.

Children and Play

Children and Play

January 20, 2022

Collections:

Whether you are a child or an adult, the Library has often been a place of wonderment and fun. This summer, Library staff have put together a display of collection material encapsulating all forms of children’s play.

Family history ebooks

Family history ebooks

January 11, 2022

Family matters, Research tips & tricks:

There is nothing like a good book to keep you occupied for hours. For family historians, there are some fascinating ebook titles available. They include the psychology of family history research,… Read More ›

Coming soon – the 1921 England and Wales census

Coming soon – the 1921 England and Wales census

December 16, 2021

Family matters, Research tips & tricks, Websites:

Great news for family historians. On the 6th January, the 1921 Census for England and Wales will be published online through FindMyPast, in partnership with the National Archives UK. The… Read More ›

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Welfare records at the State Library

August 19, 2021

Family matters, Research tips & tricks:

Welfare records can be a great tool for a family historian! This blog explores the welfare collections held at the State Library, including the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum, Melbourne Orphan Asylum, Gordon Homes for Boys and Girls and more

Chinese and Miners on the Way to the Diggings.

Researching your Chinese Victorian ancestors

August 5, 2021

Family matters, Research tips & tricks:

In the mid 19th century, a wave of Chinese migrants came to Australia in search of prosperity. By 1861, over 24,000 Chinese individuals were living in Victoria . Many resided… Read More ›

Portrait of an unidentified young woman, photograph by Louis Grouzelle, (between 1880 and 1890?]

Who’s that girl? Dating a 19th century photograph

July 28, 2021

Family matters, Research tips & tricks:

When browsing through collections of old family photographs it’s not unusual to come across images of unknown people and places. But how do you discover who these nameless ancestors are?

One method is to work out when the photograph was taken – once you have a rough time frame, you can compare the details of the sitter to ancestors in your family tree and hopefully find a match. This can be a complicated task, but every family historian likes a good challenge!

Catalogue upgrade: QR codes and search suggestions

Catalogue upgrade: QR codes and search suggestions

July 1, 2021

Ask a librarian, Research tips & tricks, Tips and tricks:

Create QR codes, see recent search suggestions and view up 50 results at a time with these new features recently added to the Library catalogue.