Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:
Adventurous, fearless, bundles of joy, cats have always accompanied their humans on their endeavours and kept their spirits high. This is such a story – Trim, the fearless Aussie cat!
Previous Redmond Barry fellow Luke Keogh’s latest book details a fascinating untold story in natural history, and was recently shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s History Award.
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
Such was life, Victorian history:
William Strutt’s painting of the Burke and Wills expedition captures the daunting task facing the explorers.
Announcements, News, Rare Books & Arts:
Des Cowley, Principal Librarian, History of the Book and Arts, shares the story of the unique and treasured Margaret and Tim Bourke Bridge collection.
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?]](https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Portrait-of-an-unidentified-young-woman-1-120x120.jpg)
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!
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:
It may be hard to believe today, but the humble pigeon played a heroic role as messenger in World War I, braving heavy artillery fire and poisonous gas to deliver messages between the front line and headquarters.
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:
Panoramic photographs have been around since the mid years of the 19th century when photographers strived to produce the arc of a wide vista in a single image. Check out some spectacular examples from the collection.
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.
What are your favourite festive food memories? Have you ever enjoyed Christmas Day lunch on the beach, up a mountain or aboard a ship? Do you remember pineapple glazed ham? Would you like the 100-year-old recipe for walnut stuffing? The State Library’s historic menus, cookbooks, photos and magazines trace Christmas foods from early colonial tables to the festive flavours celebrated by our diverse migrant communities. Dive in and rediscover your favourite Christmas dishes — or find inspiration for this year’s feast.
John Hinds, an artist, photographer and active ROAR member from 1986 to 1992 spent time capturing artists he personally knew and the spaces that they used to create their works. His photographs captured a unique and often unseen time and place, creating an invaluable insight into the art scene in Melbourne.
