For Beginners

Where Do I Start?

One of the most important things to remember for family history research is to begin with yourself and work backwards. Start by writing down everything you already know about the family and map out a rough family tree.

Collect together material which can help with your family tree. Items which you may already have at home include certificates, photographs, diaries, letters, medals, family bibles, wills and other legal documents etc.

Talk to relatives and record their memories. Remember, though, that family stories may not be entirely factual and will need to be confirmed.

Decide how you are going to record all the information you find. This can be on paper, in a family history software program or a combination of the two.

Resources for Beginners

Handbooks

There are many introductory handbooks available in the State Library. Try searching our online catalogue with the keywords 'genealogy handbooks' or browse the shelves in the Genealogy Centre at 929.1.

Journals

The State Library subscribes to a number of family history journals. You will find these on the family history display stand in the Genealogy Centre. They often include articles for beginners on topics such as choosing family history software programs, how to interpret old documents etc.

Websites

Many websites include material aimed at beginner family historians. An easy way to find the best websites is by using internet directories or gateways. One of the most comprehensive international gateways is:

Cyndi's List

Useful Australian gateways include:

Web Sites for Genealogists by Cora Num

Australian family history and genealogy selected websites by the National Library of Australia

Subject Guides

 For detailed information on the family history sources available within the State Library and online, please refer to our Family History Subject Guides:

• Australia
  How to find key sources for the whole of Australia. There are also separate pages covering birth, marriage and death indexes, electoral rolls, newspapers etc. for each Australian State and Territory.
• Britain
  How to find key sources for the whole of Britain. There are also separate pages for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
• New Zealand
  How to find key sources for New Zealand. There are also separate pages for births, marriages and deaths, directories, electoral rolls, military records etc.
• Ships & Shipping
  Information on convict ships, passenger ships, ship photographs, passenger lists etc.
• Worldwide
  How to find key international online family history sources.

Tours & Workshops

Free tours and workshops are offered at the State Library as part of our SEaK Family History Program.

Research Tips

Always check surname variants when researching, e.g. Sherwood, Shearwood, Sharwood.

Try to focus on one area of your family tree at a time.

Once you have found information, make a record of where you located it, as you might have to return to your original source to verify something.

Record unsuccessful research sources, as this will reduce the chances of repeating the same work further down the track.

If possible confirm facts from a second source at every stage.

Always photocopy certificates and important documents and leave the originals in a safe place.