How to start your Victorian family history research   Tags: family_history, genealogy  

This guide will help you begin your family history research using the resources at the State Library of Victoria.

It provides a simple six-step guide to beginning your family history and lists the essential Victorian records and resources that may help you with your research.

The guide also includes a selection of resources for other Australian states and territories. For detailed research queries please talk to the staff in the Library's Genealogy Centre, or research your topic further by using the library catalogue and eResources.

1. Start with yourself and work backwards
   Move backwards one generation at a time to your parents, grandparents, etc. Remember that when you are doing your genealogy you are finding a person, in a specific place at a particular time.
   
   
2. Obtain a blank pedigree chart
   Use this chart to document your findings in the appropriate place to show relationships between family members. Free downloadable and printable charts are available from the FamilySearch and Ancestry Library Edition websites and books in the Library's Genealogy Centre.
   
   
3. Talk to your relatives
   Ask them questions about your ancestors and relations. Collect together any family photographs, diaries, letters and other documents, such as birth, marriage and death certificates.
   
   
4. Look at official documents
   From your birth certificate you may learn your parents’ marriage and birth details. From your parents’ marriage and birth certificates you may obtain information about your grandparents’ marriage and births, etc. Each certificate may contain some piece of information that helps you find out more about your family.
   
   
5. Get organised
   Write down all the information you have gathered - birth dates, places, baptism dates, addresses, cemetery details etc. Always write down where you have found the information and make sure it's very specific so you can locate it again if required. Start a file on each person and family that you research. Include copies of charts and any other information you find.
   
   
6. Consult resources in the Genealogy Centre
   Visit the Library's Genealogy Centre to research your ancestors using the Genealogy Collection. The collection brings together key Australian and international genealogy resources that are available in print, microfilm, microfiche, CD-ROM and online.
   

State Library of Victoria

328 Swanston Street
Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia

+61 3 8664 7000