Indexes held by the Library
Each Australian state publishes indexes to the births, deaths and marriages registered in that state. Use these indexes to locate official registrations of life events and obtain registration numbers. Other information such as date and place of the event, parents’ names and age at time of death may be supplied in the index. The date range of publication depends on legislation enacted in each state, so the coverage of indexes varies from state to state.
These indexes are available via eResources in the reading rooms and/or on microfiche in the open access family history area of the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room. Certificates may be purchased from the appropriate State Registrar.
The contents of certificates vary from state to state and differ over time within each state. See What you might expect to see on an historical AUS BDM certificate for a description.
Australian State Libraries, local libraries and genealogical societies may also hold these indexes.
| ACT |
For pre 1930 records see NSW Deaths. Records after 1930 are available on application from the ACT Registrar-General's Office. |
| NSW |
Births 1788-1918 networked in eResources Marriages 1788-1945 networked in eResources, 1919-1945 on microfiche Deaths 1788-1945 networked in eResources, 1919-1945 on microfiche See the note below on NSW Pre-1856 Records. See the note below on NSW Pre-1846 Records. |
| NT |
Births 1870-1918 networked in eResources and on microfiche Marriages 1870-1913 networked in eResources and on microfiche Deaths 1870-1913 networked in eResources and on microfiche For 1856-1863 see NSW. For 1863-1870 see SA. |
| QLD |
Births 1829-1914 networked in eResources, 1829-1919 on microfiche Marriages 1829-1914 networked in eResources, 1829-1939 on microfiche Deaths 1829-1914 networked in eResources, 1829-1964 on microfiche See NSW indexes for earlier dates. |
| SA |
Births 1842-1928 networked in eResources and on microfiche Marriages 1842-1937 networked in eResources and on microfiche Deaths 1842-1972 networked in eResources and on microfiche |
| TAS |
Births 1803-1919 networked in eResources Marriages 1803-1930 networked in eResources Deaths 1803-1930 networked in eResources See the note below on Tasmanian Pre-1900 Records. |
| VIC |
Births c1837-1920 networked in eResources and on microfiche Marriages c1837-1942 networked in eResources and on microfiche Deaths c1837-1985 networked in eResources and on microfiche Marine BDMs 1836-1920 on juke box computer in Newspapers and Microfilms Reading Room An online index to births (1836-1924), marriages (1836-1942) and deaths (1836-1985) is available at the Victorian Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages. A fee for viewing is charged. Births, deaths and marriages on ships coming to Victoria (1853-1920) are also available at Marine Index. Ships' names are included. A fee for viewing is charged. |
| WA |
Births 1841-1931 bookmarked in eResources, 1841-1905 on microfiche Marriages 1841-1936 bookmarked in eResources, 184 -1965 on microfiche Deaths 1841-1965 bookmarked in eResources, 1906-1980 on microfiche See the note below on Western Australian Pre 1842 records. |
New South Wales pre-1856 records
Baptism, marriage and burial records from NSW churches prior to Civil Registration in 1856 may be viewed in this library. These records have volume reference numbers beginning with V on the indexes above.
Eg. V183214 26 (year = 1832, entry no = 14., volume no. = 26)
Vols. 1-123, out of 158, are on microfilm in the Newspaper Reading Room (SR Reel nos. AO 5001-5048), Microfilm drawer NEW SOUTH WALES 1, Call No. mfm N 229. Copies of entries from other volumes may be purchased from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Tasmanian pre-1900 records
Registrar-Generals Department pre-1900 births, deaths and marriages records, Tasmania.
Microfilm Drawer TASMANIA 1; Call no.: mfm N 220. Refer to the Register-General's guide in the NMRR Reference collection at RX mfm N 220 to locate reel numbers.
Western Australian pre-1842 records
Pre 1842 baptisms, marriages and burials were recorded by the Anglican Church in Western Australia. These records are on microfilm in the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room (Access to Ancestors Accession 703, reel 214), Microfilm Drawer WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1, Call no. mfm N 303. Refer to the Access to Ancestors's guide for a description of the records.
