Research Guides

Our guides contain key resources on selected subjects that will help get you started on your research.

About the guides

Use our guides to explore the depths of our rich collections. You will find research advice, key resources, featured collection items, selected websites and research case studies.

We also have a number of other related resources to assist you in your research, including:

Browse the Research Guides

  • Introduction This guide to Australian Birth, Death and Marriage (BDM) records provides: Links to State and Territory Registry offices and to [their] freely accessible online indexes, where available Links to Library networked BDM indexes (on eResources) Links to Library subscription resources (for...
    Topics: Genealogy
  • Introduction Electoral rolls on microfiche are available in the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room on open access unless specified otherwise. Information Contained in Electoral Rolls Electoral rolls list people who are registered to vote at Commonwealth, State, Territory and Local...
  • If you are researching law for the first time, you may find it worthwhile reading an overview of  Australia's Legal System. In particular, the section on the courts will assist in searching case law on the Internet. Main sites (AUSTLII) - Australasian Legal Information Institute - legislation and...
  • How do you search the catalogue for Australian literature? The  Library Catalogue is a great place to begin your research: select the Browse alphabetically tab choose subjects from the drop-down list Type your keywords in the search bar.  Some search suggestions: Australian literature -- 21st...
    Topics: Literature
  • General These are general sites for researching the Australian government on the Internet and provide a starting place for researchers in this field. They provide a diverse range of information on Australian government resources as well as providing links to other useful sites. Government in...
  • Start with what you know Think about the person you are researching. Do you know: their full name and other names they were known by? their life dates - are they alive or dead? the names of organisiations or groups they belonged to? their nationality or country of residence? any significant...
    Topics: Biography
  • What is a gazette? A gazette is an official publication for the purpose of notifying the actions and decisions of the government. All Australian governments (Commonwealth, State and Territory) publish official gazettes. Notices published in government gazettes cover all aspects of government...
    Topics: Government Publications, Law & Politics, Communications & Media
  • Introduction The National Library has a large collection of Australian and overseas newspapers in print, microform and electronic formats. This guide contains a select listing of print and microform indexes that can assist you with access to these newspapers. Items that are available in electronic...
  • Introduction Ship and passenger records are found throughout the National Library in books, journals, newspapers, manuscripts, microform, pictures, maps and electronic media. Material includes information on ships, voyages, shipping companies, shipping and passenger lists and registers, shipwrecks...
  • Introduction This guide to Australian Birth, Death and Marriage (BDM) records provides: Links to State and Territory Registry offices and to [their] freely accessible online indexes, where available Links to Library networked BDM indexes (on eResources) Links to Library subscription resources (for...
    Topics: Genealogy
  • How do you search the catalogue for Australian literature? The  Library Catalogue is a great place to begin your research: select the Browse alphabetically tab choose subjects from the drop-down list Type your keywords in the search bar.  Some search suggestions: Australian literature -- 21st...
    Topics: Literature
  • Start with what you know Think about the person you are researching. Do you know: their full name and other names they were known by? their life dates - are they alive or dead? the names of organisiations or groups they belonged to? their nationality or country of residence? any significant...
    Topics: Biography
  • What is a gazette? A gazette is an official publication for the purpose of notifying the actions and decisions of the government. All Australian governments (Commonwealth, State and Territory) publish official gazettes. Notices published in government gazettes cover all aspects of government...
    Topics: Government Publications, Law & Politics, Communications & Media
  • The Macquarie Dictionary defines statistics as the 'science which deals with the collection, classification, and use of numerical facts or data.' It may be necessary to obtain statistical data to support or illustrate your research. This guide is intended to help you with this. What the Library...
    Topics: Census and Demography, History, Social Sciences, Statistics
  • Introduction The Library holds a large collection relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. This guide contains selected print works only. Catalogue search tips To search for works about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, select the 'Browse alphabetically' option, then '...
  • Introduction This guide to Australian Birth, Death and Marriage (BDM) records provides: Links to State and Territory Registry offices and to [their] freely accessible online indexes, where available Links to Library networked BDM indexes (on eResources) Links to Library subscription resources (for...
    Topics: Genealogy
  • Introduction A large proportion of the census information held at the National Library is kept in microform format. Further information on how to find these items can be found in Family History Sources in the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room. This guide contains selected print works only....
  • Introduction The Library holds many printed company directories, annual reports and histories. This guide contains selected print works only. Catalogue Search Tips To search for works about an individual company, select the Browse subjects option and enter the company’s name.  Examples of...
  • Introduction Electoral rolls on microfiche are available in the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room on open access unless specified otherwise. Information Contained in Electoral Rolls Electoral rolls list people who are registered to vote at Commonwealth, State, Territory and Local...
  • Introduction The Library holds a large range of primary and secondary resources relating to the history of Australia. This guide contains selected print works only. Catalogue search tips To search for general works about Australian history, select the 'Browse alphabetically' option, then '...
  • These are selected sites for researching Australian history on the Internet and provide a starting place for researchers in this field. They provide a diverse range of information on Australian history resources as well as providing links to other useful sites. General Ancient heritage, modern...
  • If you are researching law for the first time, you may find it worthwhile reading an overview of  Australia's Legal System. In particular, the section on the courts will assist in searching case law on the Internet. Main sites (AUSTLII) - Australasian Legal Information Institute - legislation and...
  • How do you search the catalogue for Australian literature? The  Library Catalogue is a great place to begin your research: select the Browse alphabetically tab choose subjects from the drop-down list Type your keywords in the search bar.  Some search suggestions: Australian literature -- 21st...
    Topics: Literature
  • Introduction The Library holds a large collection of material relating to Australian politics and government. This guide contains selected print works only. For information on how to access Commonwealth and State electoral rolls at the Library, see Australian Electoral Rolls: Print Resources at...
  • General These are general sites for researching the Australian government on the Internet and provide a starting place for researchers in this field. They provide a diverse range of information on Australian government resources as well as providing links to other useful sites. Government in...
  • These science and technology sites on the Internet provide a starting place for researchers in this field.  They provide a diverse range of information on Australian science and technology resources as well as providing links to other useful sites. General Australian Research in Trove - provides...
  • Start with what you know Think about the person you are researching. Do you know: their full name and other names they were known by? their life dates - are they alive or dead? the names of organisiations or groups they belonged to? their nationality or country of residence? any significant...
    Topics: Biography
  • This guide deals only with the publications and Internet sites for the House of Commons and House of Lords. For information on the Parliaments and Assemblies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland or other regional assemblies, see the Devolved Parliaments and Assemblies website. The call numbers...
  • Introduction The National Library has a large collection of cemetery records for regions throughout Australia. Many records are kept on microfiche and are listed in the Family History Sources in the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room guide. Other records are listed on the catalogue and can be...

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