Research

Because genealogical research usually involves a considerable amount of time and effort, the staff of the State Library and the State Records Office cannot carry out protracted research for you. They can, however, offer advice and guide you to relevant material held and check some indexes and catalogues. Staff can only carry out limited research via letter or email. Residents of the Perth metropolitan area are expected to come in to the library to carry out research in person.

In the case of people who cannot come into the library to carry out research in person, the Professional Historians’ Association (WA) has details of researchers who may undertake general research for a fee. The FamilyHistoryWA (Genealogical Society of Western Australia) has a research team who undertake limited research for people for a fee. For more in-depth research they will supply you with the details of researchers who may be willing to undertake such protracted research for a fee. These researchers are not accredited by the State Library and all conditions and fees for service must be negotiated directly with the researcher. Any such dealings are entirely outside the influence of the State Library.