My top 10 Aussie research sites

Recently I gave a talk at a local club, and although I thought most people would know about a site like Trove, they did not.  So it prompted me to do this list, I hope it helps. 

Remember also, that my pinterest site has links to all sorts of online resources, categorised as much as possible. All you need to do is follow me there.  So these are the sites I use the most and find most useful, and all of them are free.

 

1. TROVE

Trove has to be number one.  Australia has a long history of including everything in local newspapers, in fact, people used to drop a note into a box at the local shop and that information would be in the next newspaper.  But Trove has more, in fact the aim is to have everything that is at local libraries across Australia on Trove.  You will find:

• newspapers
• photos
• music
• Govt. Gazettes
• books
• maps
• archives...........and more.

2. National Archives of Aust.

The NAA has service records for WW1 and WW2, as well as passenger lists and immigration files.  Anything not already digitised they will do for a small fee.  This is the first place to look for people in your family who immigrated to Australia.

3. Australian Cemetery Index

Information about cemeteries and quality images of inscriptions in each cemetery rather than just transcript lists. The ultimate goal is to photograph and index every headstone in Australia and to index every unmarked burial.

4. Family Search

Free searching for births, deaths, marriage, baptism and grave records, going back to 1776.

5. NSW Archives (and other state archives)

All the state archive sites are useful, but the NSW Archives site is singled out because it has so much of our convict heritage in its records.  This is also where you will find NSW Divorce and Probate records.

6. NSW BDM  (and other states)

All the states have BDM sites, but the NSW site is the easiest to search and most comprehensive.

7. Australian War Memorial

Track down information about relatives who served in any of the conflicts in which Australia has been involved since the 1860s.   The most comprehensive site for military information, including the roll of honour and  Australia's war history.

8. The Ships List

Find your ancestors on ships' passenger lists, immigration reports, newspaper records, shipwreck information, ship pictures, ship descriptions, and shipping-line fleet lists.                   

9. Rootschat

The largest free family history forum site. Over 232,941 members are ready to help you with your questions.  And it's Free!

10. Google Books

Search the world's most comprehensive index of full-text books.  Find your ancestors in Gazeteers, history books and books about a locality they lived in.

And one more I use - Legacy Family Tree - free downloadable genealogy software that is comprehensive, easy and supported.