Australia Genealogical Records

Australia Birth & Baptism Records

Australia Birth Index (1788-1922)

An index to over 5.1 million births recoded in Australia, including name, year and place of birth and parents' names. The index can be used to order birth records, which contain further information.

New South Wales Birth Index (1788-1914)

Transcripts of more than 2.2 million birth records. Entries may list name, date of birth and registration, religion, place of birth and registration, parents' names and more.

Australia Birth & Baptism Index (1792-1981)

An index of over 530,000 records of births and baptisms, including parents' names and other details.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

British Nationals Born Overseas (1818-2006)

An index to births of British citizens born overseas that were registered with the British Consul or High Commissioner. Provides a reference that can be used to order a birth certificate.

Australia Marriage & Divorce Records

Australia Marriage Index (1788-1950)

An index to around 2.6 million marriages recorded in Australia, including name, year of marriage, spouse's name and place of marriage. The index can be used to order marriage records, which contain more information.

New South Wales Marriage Index (1788-1945)

An index to around 1.5 million marriages registered in the state, including dates and places of registration.

Australia Marriages (1788-1935)

Transcripts of around 125,000 marriage records, including the name of the bride and groom, dates of birth or ages, date and place of marriage and more.

NSW Registers of Convicts' Applications to Marry (1826-1851)

An index to and images of around 40,000 convict applications to marry. They list name of the bride and groom, ages, date of permission or refusal to marry, ship of arrival, sentence and more.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

Australia Death & Burial Records

New South Wales Cemetery Military Memorial Records (1816-1982)

Details extracted from gravestones, death registers and military memorials. Records include names of relatives and details of death.

New South Wales Death Index (1788-1945)

Transcripts of close to 1.7 million death records, including the name of the deceased, year of birth or age, parents' names and more.

Australia Death Index (1787-1985)

An index to around 5.9 million deaths recorded in Australia, including year of death, place of death, estimated birth year, father’s name and mother’s surname. The index is used to order death records, which include more information.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

Commonwealth WWII Civilian Deaths (1939-1945)

This database contains seven volumes listing civilians in the British Commonwealth and Empire who died during World War II.

Australia Census & Population Lists

Australia Electoral Rolls (1903-1980)

An index to and images of registers that list the name, gender, address and occupation of those registered to vote. Contains over 100 million entries.

1841 New South Wales Census (1841)

Details of around 20,000 inhabitants of the colony, including name, details of properties, age, religion, occupation and more.

1828 New South Wales Census (1828)

An index to and digital images of registers recoding over 50,000 inhabitants of the colony. Entries include name, age, whether bound in service, ship arrived on, year of arrival, sentence, religion, employment, residence, district and details of land owner or occupied.

1841 New South Wales Census (1841)

An index to and images of surviving registers recording early residents of the state.

1828 New South Wales Census Fragment (1828)

An index to and digital images of registers recoding over 45,000 inhabitants of the colony. Entries include name, age, whether bound in service, ship arrived on, year of arrival, sentence, religion, employment, residence, district and details of land owner or occupied.

Newspapers Covering Australia

The Australian Lutheran (1913-1966)

A digitised collection of the magazine, covering the affairs of the Lutheran Church in Australia. It also provides a large amount of information on specific events and people in the Australian Lutheran church's past, in the form of notices - including many marriages, deaths and obituaries.

New South Wales Government Gazette (1832-1880)

Images of the official newspaper of record for New South Wales. It includes notices of bankruptcies, appointments, transfers, military affairs, estate and much more. An index to the publication can be found below.

New South Wales Government Gazette Indexes (1832-1863)

An index to more than 1.2 million names fond in the official newspaper of record for New South Wales. It includes notices of bankruptcies, appointment, transfers, military affairs, estates and much more.

Scottish Australasian Magazine (1910-1918)

A journal intended to help Australasians of Scottish parentage to better understand the history, literature and songs of the land of their forefathers.

Name Card Index to AP Stories (1905-1990)

An index to over 2.1 million people mentioned in Associated Press stories, including name, subject, location, date and a reference to the article.

Australia Wills & Probate Records

New South Wales Government Gazettes (1853-1899)

Searchable editions of 149 gazettes published by the state. They contain various notices concerning government appointments, crimes, land transactions, missing persons, bankruptcies, estate and probate notices and various other matters.

New South Wales Will Books (1800-1952)

An index to and images of over 415,000 wills, which can list names of family members, real and personal property, sentiments, place of burial and more.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills (PPV) (1384-1858)

A index to testators whose will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. They principally cover those who lived in the lower two thirds of Britain, but contain wills for residents of Scotland, Ireland, British India and other countries. A copy of each will may be purchased for digital download.

New South Wales Deceased Estate Files Index (1923-1958)

An index to over 440,000 records of duties paid on the sum of a deceased persons' estate.

Bank of England Wills Extracts Index (1717-1845)

An index to over 60,000 wills of people who died with money in public funds. Useful when researching counties where wills have been destroyed. Also contains wills for citizens of British colonies.

Australia Immigration & Travel Records

Fremantle, Western Australia Passenger Lists (1897-1963)

An index to and images of passenger lists recording 3.6 million names. They may list name, date and ship of arrival, port of embarkation and debarkation, residence, travel class, forwarding address, age, marital status, occupation, nationality and more.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

New South Wales Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists (1826-1922)

An index to and images of inward passenger lists and reports of vessels arrived that list around 8.5 million names. Records contain a wealth of details, including particulars of ships, names, relatives, occupations, passenger class, race and more.

New South Wales & Tasmania: Settlers & Convicts (1787-1859)

An index to and images of registers recording over 510,000 settlers and convicts who arrived in Australia. Records may list name, age, whether free, year and ship of arrival, residence, occupation, nativity, details of crimes and more.

Australia Convict Ships (1786-1849)

Records detailing around 190,000 convicts who arrived in Australia, including name, age, occupation, religion, native place, physical description, level of education and more.

Australia Military Records

WWI Commonwealth Casualty Lists (1914-1920)

A list of over 1.3 million British and Commonwealth servicemen who were injured during World War One.

Australian Imperial Force Embarkation Roll (1914-1918)

Lists of 330,000 members of the Australian Imperial Force as they embarked for overseas service during World War One. They may list name, rank, regimental number, unit, age, occupation, marital status, address, next of kin, religion and other details.

Australian Imperial Force Nominal Roll (1914-1918)

Lists of over 324,000 members of the Australian Imperial Force who served overseas during World War One, including name, service number, rank, unit, date of enlistment, fate and date of death.

1861 British Army Census (1861)

An index listing the rank and regiment of over 245,000 British Army soldiers serving in June 1861. Compiled from paylists, this essential work can help locate further records for military men whose regiment is not otherwise known.

Australia WWI Service Records (1914-1920)

An index to and digital images of several-hundred-thousand records for those who served in the Australian Imperial Force, Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train, Australian Flying Corps and the Australian Army Nursing Service. Records include attestation papers, casualty forms, death notices, wills, pay information and more.

Australia Electoral Rolls (1903-1980)

An index to and images of registers that list the name, gender, address and occupation of those registered to vote. Contains over 100 million entries.

New South Wales Police Gazettes (1854-1930)

An index to and images of publications that report on wanted criminals, crimes committed, criminals who had been apprehended, missing persons, promotions, vacant positions, and appointments.

New South Wales Gaol Description & Entrance Books (1818-1930)

An index to and images of books containing close to 1 million entries concerning prisoners admitted to and held in New South Wales prisons. They may list name, aliases, native place, year of birth, occupation, immigration details, level of education, physical description, details of crime convicted for and more.

New South Wales & Tasmania Convict Musters (1806-1849)

An index to and images of records listing around 275,000 names of incarcerated men. Details given may include name, ship arrived on, date of arrival, where tried, date of trial, sustenance and other details.

New South Wales & Tasmania: Settlers & Convicts (1787-1859)

An index to and images of registers recording over 510,000 settlers and convicts who arrived in Australia. Records may list name, age, whether free, year and ship of arrival, residence, occupation, nativity, details of crimes and more.

Australia Taxation Records

Returns of the Colony of New South Wales (1822-1857)

This is a collection of the colony’s records in the civil, economic, judicial, police, penal, medical, ecclesiastical, and educational establishments. There are 28 different record types that are included in some form over the 35 years. The returns also include a list of the officers in these areas. There wasn’t a compiled return in 1824, but every other year between 1822-1857 contains the full returns.

Australia Land & Property Records

New South Wales Government Gazettes (1853-1899)

Searchable editions of 149 gazettes published by the state. They contain various notices concerning government appointments, crimes, land transactions, missing persons, bankruptcies, estate and probate notices and various other matters.

New South Wales Land Grants (1788-1963)

An index to and images of a variety of land grants for New South Wales, Australia. The format of these records varies, as does the degree of information recorded. Details can include the date and location of the grant, description, name of the grantee, amount paid, and names of witnesses.

Pastoral Possessions of New South Wales (1889)

A directory of owners and leasers of pastoral land in the colony, including details of the land.

New South Wales Colonial Secretary's Papers (1788-1856)

Digital images of documents recording the colonial administration of NSW. Letters and records of various events make up the majority of the collections: petitions by convicts for sentence mitigation, marriage permission requests, character memorials for potential settlers, land grant or lease applications, official visit reports, information about court cases, and lists of assigned servants.

Returns of the Colony of New South Wales (1822-1857)

This is a collection of the colony’s records in the civil, economic, judicial, police, penal, medical, ecclesiastical, and educational establishments. There are 28 different record types that are included in some form over the 35 years. The returns also include a list of the officers in these areas. There wasn’t a compiled return in 1824, but every other year between 1822-1857 contains the full returns.

Australia Directories & Gazetteers

New South Wales Post Office Directory (1936)

A listing of medical practitioners, legal professional, associations, trade unions, the clergy, educators, financiers, insurance companies and other professions; supplemented with vital details of the state.

Sand's Directory of New South Wales (1928)

A searchable book, including a street, alphabetical, trade, professional, commercial and pastoral directory of the state.

New South Wales Post Office Directory (1914)

A listing of medical practitioners, legal professional, associations, trade unions, the clergy, educators, financiers, insurance companies and other professions; supplemented with vital details of the state.

Samson's Directory of New South Wales (1867)

A searchable version of a book listing important information relating to the state and lists of businesses and heads of households.

Sand's Directories of Sydney & New South Wales (1861-1930)

An index to and images of books recording the names, addresses and sometimes occupations of heads of household in New South Wales.

Australia Cemeteries

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Newcastle, NSW Lost Cemeteries (1842-1902)

Transcripts of close to 8,000 burial records, many including names of relatives.

New South Wales Cemetery Military Memorial Records (1816-1982)

Details extracted from gravestones, death registers and military memorials. Records include names of relatives and details of death.

Australia Cemetery Records (1808-2007)

A collection of round 800,000 tombstone transcriptions from around 100 cemeteries in Australia. Information collected from burial registers or funeral records was sometimes also used.

New South Wales Memorial Inscriptions (1800-1960)

Transcripts of details from gravestones in the state, recording around 160,000 people.

Australia Obituaries

Australia & New Zealand Obituary Collection (2006-Present)

A constantly-updated collection of abstract obituaries, inducing names of relatives. It contains over 300,000 entries.

Medical Directory (1915)

Contains a gazetteer of places, a directory of doctors, lists of institutions, regulations, obituaries and more.

Loxton's Medical Directory (1911)

Contains a gazetteer of places, a directory of doctors, lists of institutions, regulations, obituaries and more.

Australia Histories & Books

Aldine History of New South Wales (1888)

A history of the colony, its early explorers, geography, aborigines, flora and fauna and more. It also includes biographies of notable inhabitants.

Ancestry Member Stories (6000 BC-Present)

Over 7 million remembrances and historic details submitted by Ancestry members. Useful for local historians.

Ancestry Member Photos & Documents (6000 BC-Present)

Over 60 million historic photographs and documents submitted to Ancestry. This rich collection contains many rare sources of interest to local historians and will be relevant to most genealogical research.

Cyclopedia of New South Wales (1907)

A searchable work covering important aspects of the state, such as law, government, schools, public works, mining, banking and more.

Australian Handbooks (1889-1904)

Three books containing maps, statistics, laws, history, adverts, details of land prices, details of government and courts in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and New Guinea.

Australia School & Education Records

Returns of the Colony of New South Wales (1822-1857)

This is a collection of the colony’s records in the civil, economic, judicial, police, penal, medical, ecclesiastical, and educational establishments. There are 28 different record types that are included in some form over the 35 years. The returns also include a list of the officers in these areas. There wasn’t a compiled return in 1824, but every other year between 1822-1857 contains the full returns.

Australia Occupation & Business Records

New South Wales Police Gazettes (1854-1930)

An index to and images of publications that report on wanted criminals, crimes committed, criminals who had been apprehended, missing persons, promotions, vacant positions, and appointments.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Australia Public Service List (1904-1920)

Records of 10,000s of Australian civil servants, including their name, date of birth and details of their job.

New South Wales Public Service Lists (1858-1960)

A run of books listing the public, ecclesiastical and other officials in the colony.

NSW & Tasmania Convict Pardons & Tickets of Leave (1834-1859)

An index to and images of records pardoning convicts of their sentence and work for wages.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Australia

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Colonial Gentry: Genealogical & Heraldic History 1 (1891)

Genealogies of land-owning families in the British colonies, including biographies.

Colonial Gentry: Genealogical & Heraldic History 2 (1891)

Genealogies of land-owning families in the British colonies, including biographies.

Ancestry Member Family Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A compilation of lineage-linked family trees submitted by Ancestry users. The database contains over 2 billion individuals and is searchable by numerous metrics.

Ancestry World Tree (6000 BC-1997)

A collection of legacy trees submitted by Ancestry users containing nearly 400 million individuals.

Australia Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Colonial Gentry: Genealogical & Heraldic History 1 (1891)

Genealogies of land-owning families in the British colonies, including biographies.

Colonial Gentry: Genealogical & Heraldic History 2 (1891)

Genealogies of land-owning families in the British colonies, including biographies.

Australia Church Records

The Australian Lutheran (1913-1966)

A digitised collection of the magazine, covering the affairs of the Lutheran Church in Australia. It also provides a large amount of information on specific events and people in the Australian Lutheran church's past, in the form of notices - including many marriages, deaths and obituaries.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Returns of the Colony of New South Wales (1822-1857)

This is a collection of the colony’s records in the civil, economic, judicial, police, penal, medical, ecclesiastical, and educational establishments. There are 28 different record types that are included in some form over the 35 years. The returns also include a list of the officers in these areas. There wasn’t a compiled return in 1824, but every other year between 1822-1857 contains the full returns.

Sydney Diocesan Directory (1881-1920)

Details on all the Anglican clergy, cathedrals, committees, societies and schools of New South Wales as well as Anglican clergy lists for all other states in Australia.

Crockford's Clerical Directory (1929)

A directory listing Anglican parishes and other divisions of the Church or England hierarchy and their various religious officers. The directory covers the UK and Anglican churches throughout the world.

Biographical Directories Covering Australia

Aldine History of New South Wales (1888)

A history of the colony, its early explorers, geography, aborigines, flora and fauna and more. It also includes biographies of notable inhabitants.

Dictionary of Australian Biography (1949)

Transcripts of hundreds of short biographies of notable Australians.

Blair's Cyclopedia of Australasia (1881)

Details of settlements, regions, people and things connected with Australasia.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

A Biographical Register of Australia (1788-1939)

Abstract biographies of close to 10,000 Australians.

Australia Maps

NSW Surveyor General Field & Sketch Books (1794-1903)

Sketches and tracings relating to towns, villages, allotments, land in dispute, street, lands for public use, geographic features and similar items.

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

Australia Reference Works

International Genealogical Research Directory (1981-1993)

A directory of Australian genealogical interests.

Researching a Medical Ancestor (1505-Present)

A guide to tracing ancestors who practiced medicine in several English-speaking countries.

Most Common Surnames in Australia

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequency
1Smith212,4931:127
2Jones111,3071:243
3Williams105,8551:255
4Brown105,0781:257
5Wilson92,7311:291
6Taylor89,4331:302
7Anderson71,5881:377
8Johnson67,4621:400
9White64,4391:419
10Thompson62,0981:435
11Lee61,4831:439
12Martin60,5951:446
13Thomas57,0431:473
14Walker56,8381:475
15Kelly55,4071:487
16Young54,6841:494
17Harris53,9491:500
18King53,8581:501
19Ryan53,4831:505
20Roberts53,0291:509
21Hall52,3861:515
22Evans52,1001:518
23Davis51,7401:522
24Wright51,6941:522
25Baker51,4951:524
26Campbell50,3891:536
27Edwards49,7951:542
28Clark49,5901:544
29Robinson48,7351:554
30McDonald48,1891:560
31Hill48,0171:562
32Scott47,6461:567
33Clarke47,6131:567
34Mitchell46,6361:579
35Stewart46,2441:584
36Moore45,8801:588
37Turner45,8481:589
38Miller45,8321:589
39Green45,3401:595
40Watson44,7991:603
41Bell42,6301:633
42Wood42,1621:640
43Cooper41,9121:644
44Murphy41,6931:647
45Jackson41,6311:648
46James41,2061:655
47Lewis40,7431:663
48Allen40,3541:669
49Bennett39,6971:680
50Robertson39,2161:688
51Collins38,9691:693
52Cook38,2321:706
53Murray37,9571:711
54Ward37,5511:719
55Phillips36,9831:730
56O'Brien36,9251:731
57Nguyen36,8671:732
58Davies36,8041:733
59Hughes36,2471:745
60Morris36,2221:745
61Adams35,8001:754
62Johnston35,7231:756
63Parker35,1511:768
64Ross35,0421:770
65Gray34,9591:772
66Graham34,8091:776
67Russell34,4201:784
68Morgan33,8131:798
69Reid33,8001:799
70Kennedy33,7141:801
71Marshall32,9001:821
72Singh32,8561:822
73Cox32,5791:829
74Harrison31,6631:853
75Simpson31,6311:853
76Richardson31,6221:854
77Richards31,3171:862
78Carter31,2091:865
79Rogers30,4311:887
80Walsh30,3821:889
81Thomson29,6661:910
82Bailey29,3131:921
83Matthews29,2551:923
84Cameron28,8211:937
85Webb27,7541:973
86Chapman27,6351:977
87Stevens27,4021:985
88Ellis27,3201:988
89McKenzie27,3051:989
90Grant26,9051:1,003
91Shaw26,8111:1,007
92Hunt26,6641:1,012
93Harvey26,5221:1,018
94Butler26,4671:1,020
95Mills26,4591:1,020
96Price26,3191:1,026
97Pearce26,2941:1,027
98Barnes26,0011:1,038
99Henderson25,9501:1,040
100Armstrong25,7911:1,047
101Fraser25,7091:1,050
102Fisher25,6851:1,051
103Knight25,6231:1,054
104Hamilton25,4981:1,059
105Mason25,2841:1,068
106Hunter24,9961:1,080
107Hayes24,7481:1,091
108Ferguson24,6111:1,097
109Dunn24,5441:1,100
110Wallace24,2401:1,114
111Ford24,2231:1,114
112Elliott23,7961:1,134
113Foster23,7381:1,137
114Gibson23,6801:1,140
115Gordon23,3461:1,156
116Howard23,3381:1,157
117Burns23,3181:1,158
118O'Connor22,6881:1,190
119Jenkins22,3381:1,209
120Woods22,2871:1,211
121Palmer22,0871:1,222
122Reynolds22,0361:1,225
123Holmes21,6541:1,247
124Black21,6151:1,249
125Griffiths21,5531:1,253
126McLean21,2691:1,269
127Day21,1151:1,279
128Andrews21,0931:1,280
129Lloyd20,9331:1,290
130Morrison20,9131:1,291
131West20,5471:1,314
132Duncan20,4811:1,318
133Wang20,4561:1,320
134Sullivan20,4121:1,323
135Rose20,3891:1,324
136Chen20,3671:1,325
137Powell20,2841:1,331
138Brooks20,2311:1,334
139Dawson20,2151:1,335
140MacDonald20,1491:1,340
141Dixon20,0281:1,348
142Wong19,9111:1,356
143Saunders19,8281:1,361
144Watts19,7821:1,365
145Francis19,7771:1,365
146Fletcher19,7631:1,366
147Tran19,6841:1,371
148Rowe19,6101:1,377
149Li19,5431:1,381
150Nelson19,5001:1,384
151Williamson19,4811:1,386
152Lawrence19,4351:1,389
153Porter19,3281:1,397
154Payne19,2781:1,400
155Byrne19,2551:1,402
156FitzGerald19,2091:1,405
157Crawford19,1631:1,409
158Barker18,9441:1,425
159Perry18,8491:1,432
160Hart18,8471:1,432
161Davidson18,8451:1,433
162Wilkinson18,8211:1,434
163Fox18,7981:1,436
164Cole18,7631:1,439
165Lane18,7531:1,440
166Kerr18,7211:1,442
167Lynch18,6461:1,448
168Webster18,5261:1,457
169Pearson18,4741:1,461
170McCarthy18,4341:1,464
171Doyle18,4111:1,466
172Stone18,0881:1,492
173Carroll18,0071:1,499
174Peters17,9541:1,504
175Stephens17,9521:1,504
176Freeman17,9431:1,505
177George17,8841:1,509
178Wells17,8671:1,511
179Alexander17,8281:1,514
180McMahon17,4411:1,548
181Tan17,4371:1,548
182Chan17,4351:1,548
182McGrath17,4351:1,548
184Spencer17,4161:1,550
185May17,3621:1,555
186Lowe17,1511:1,574
187Zhang17,1391:1,575
188Douglas17,0581:1,583
189Coleman16,8201:1,605
190O'Neill16,7261:1,614
191Barrett16,7041:1,616
192Boyd16,6921:1,617
193Burgess16,6811:1,618
194Sutton16,6251:1,624
195Burke16,5741:1,629
196Dean16,5571:1,630
197Atkinson16,5561:1,631
198Patterson16,4651:1,640
199Hogan16,3491:1,651
200Gill16,3311:1,653