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 format can be accessed through eResources. Major full-text databases include Factiva, the Sydney Morning Herald Archives 1955-1995 and the Times Digital Archive.
Other indexes that may be available are listed in the National Library of Australia's Catalogue.
Catalogue search tips
To locate indexes relating to a specific newspaper, select the Browse Subjects option and enter the name of the newspaper followed by the word, 'indexes'. For example:
Sydney morning herald indexes
New York Times indexes
Times (London England) indexes
To locate indexes relating to a particular geographic area and/or location, select the Browse Subjects option and enter the country name, followed by 'newspapers', followed by the state and town and then 'indexes'. For example:
australian newspapers new south wales sydney indexes
The following links lead to a browsable list of state and territory newspapers and relevant indexes:
australian newspapers new south wales
australian newspapers northern territory
australian newspapers queensland
australian newspapers south australia
australian newspapers tasmania
australian newspapers victoria
australian newspapers western australia
Australia
National
APAIS, Australian Public Affairs Information Service : A Subject Index to Current Literature 1945-2000
Selected feature articles from Australian capital city newspapers.
RF 016.3 AUS - Main Reading Room Reference Collection - No request required
Available online 1978+. Full text available 1995+
Australian 1824-1842
Photocopies of library subject cards from the Mitchell Library which have been bound in 23 volumes.
RXf 079.94 AUS - Newspaper Reading Room Reference Collection - No request required
Australian Town and Country Journal Card Index 1870-1914
Compiled by W.A. Bayley
Microfiche - request through the catalogue; collect from the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Bulletin Index 1880–1903, 1913–1915, 1919–20, 1930–1962
mfm nx 140 - Microfilm - Newspaper Reading Room Reference Collection - No request required
Bulletin Index 1963 - 1965
This index is arranged alphabetically under specific headings. Personal entries have been made where the article deals with the persons in any detail. Reviews of books, films, etc. have not been indexed under title.
RX 079.944 BUL
Australian Capital Territory
Angelus (ACT) 1923-1953
A Catholic Monthly circulating in the Queanbeyan District and Federal Capital Territory.
RX 929.3947 F293
Canberra Times - Probate and Legal Notices 1926-1970
Legal Notices in the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory Probate Jurisdiction extracted from The Canberra Times. From 3 September 1926 - 31 December 1970.
RXq 929.3957 L496
New South Wales
Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil 1873-1889
Index to illustrations of ships, ports and places, and other items of general maritime interest. Series Title: Maritime Illustration Index 3.
RXq 387.50994 A938
Bathurst Newspaper Index 1986-1987
Indexes Bathurst Advocate (1848-1849), Bathurst Free Press & Mining Journal (1850-1857, 1859-1860, 1861), Western Independent (1872-1880), and Bathurst Post (1881-1922).
Nf 016.0799445 B332 - Available via ecallslip request for use in the Main Reading Room
Campbelltown-Fairfield-Liverpool 1993-2003
Index to Personal Notices in Local Newspapers. Notices indexed include: Births, Deaths, Funerals, Memorials, Probate, Engagements, Marriages, Anniversaries and Birthdays.
Microfiche available via ecallslip request for use in the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Guilty or Not Guilty 1841-1853
Listing of those people who were brought before the Supreme Court - Criminal, Quarter Sessions, Assizes, Police Court. Information obtained from Sydney Gazette, Sydney Herald, Sydney Morning Herald and the Government Gazette. Courts were: the Police Office Court - Sydney and County; The Supreme Court - Criminal Jurisdiction, Sydney; county Assizes; Sydney Quarter Sessions: county Quarter Sessions. Also recorded are some cases held at Hyde Park Barracks and Norfolk Island. Vol 1 1841-1845; Vol 2 1846-1850; Vol 3 1851-1853.
RXq 929.3944 S544
Hunter River Gazette 1841-1842
Index of entire contents of newspaper. Published between 11 December 1841 and 25 June 1842.
mcN 1867 (Drawer No. 3) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Illawara Mercury 1856-1900
Index to births, deaths, marriages, funerals, obituaries, etc.
mcN 1416 (Drawer No. 3) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Illustrated Sydney News 1853-1889
Index to illustrations of ships, ports and places, and other items of general maritime interest. Series Title: Maritime Illustrations Index 1.
RXq 387.50994 I29 - Available via ecallslip request for use in the Main Reading Room
Index of Births, Deaths & Marriages in Sydney Newspapers 1838-1840
mcN 1252 (Drawer No. 3) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Index to Freeman's Journal (Sydney) 1890-1915
Contains references to individuals in the Catholic Diocese of Armidale, by community. From 1 January 1890 - 31 December 1915.
RX 929.30994 I38
Liverpool Herald Index 1898-1907
Subject and name index.
NQ 079.9441016 L785 - Available via ecallslip request for use in the Main Reading Room
Maitland Mercury Newspaper Index 1843-1846
People, subjects and districts. Indexed by Rod and Wendy Gow.
mcN 1767 - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Manning River Newspaper Indexes 1865-1893
Compiled from all local content found in newspapers published in the area. Included are advertisements from outside areas as many of these companies/people played an important part in the Manning, often either settling or owning land there. Vol 1 Part 1 -1865, Part 2 1866, Part 3 1867; Vol 2 1881-1882; Vol 3 1892-1893; Vol 4 1886.
NQ 079.9442 M284 - Available via ecallslip request for use in the Main Reading Room
Newcastle Morning Herald 1861-1984
Index of the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate; The Newcastle Chronicle; and the Miner's Advocate by subject heading by year.
RX 079.9942 NEW
Northern Star 1876-1889
Index of People and Events of the Richmond. Vol 1 1876-1884; Vol 2 1885-1889.
RX 929.3944 M169
NSW Parliamentary Library Newspaper Index (Biographies) 1910-1975
An alphabetic personal subject index, compiled as an in-house reference aid, covering items in a whole range of newspapers, but chiefly from the Sydney Morning Herald and the Daily Telegraph.
Microfiche available via ecallslip request for use in the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
NSW Parliamentary Library Newspaper Index (Subject) 1910-1975
Indexed under various subject headings. Hand written. Primarily from the Sydney Morning Herald and Daily Telegraph.
mcN 703 - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Register of Newspaper Affidavits and Printers Declarations 1827-1845
Microfilm copy of original documents held in the Mitchell Library.
mfm G 2199 - Microfilm - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Sydney Gazette 1803-1826
Photocopies of library subject cards from the Mitchell Library which have been bound in 18 volumes.
RX 079.9441 SYD - Print
mfm n 322 - Microfilm - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Sydney Gazette 1827-1829
Photocopies of library subject cards from the Mitchell Library which have been bound in 6 volumes.
RX 079.9441 SYD
Sydney Herald, Sydney Morning Herald 1831-1853
Index of birth, marriage, death and funeral notices. Vol 1 1831-1842; Vol 2 1842-1847; Vol 3 1848-1851; Vol 4 1851-1853
RX 929.3944 SYD
Sydney Mail 1860-1861
Index of Birth, Death and Marriage announcements in the Sydney Mail.
RXq 929.39441 D547 - Print
mfm NX 14 - Microfilm - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Sydney Mail Index 1860-1938
Compiled by W.A. Bayley.
mcN 806 - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Sydney Morning Herald 1842-1845
Photocopies of library subject cards from the Mitchell Library which have been bound in 12 volumes.
RX 079.944 SYD
Sydney Morning Herald 1909-1918
Photocopies of library subject cards from the Mitchell Library which have been bound in 4 volumes.
RX 079.994 SYD
Sydney Morning Herald: Birth, Marriage, Death & Funeral Notices 1853-1859
mcN 1297 (Drawer No. 3) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Sydney Morning Herald: Death and Funeral Notices 1910-1911
mcN 1129 (Drawer No. 3) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Sydney Morning Herald: Divorce Proceedings 1918-1920
Full title: Let us break their bonds asunder: an index to divorce proceedings as reported in the Sydney Morning Herald. Taken from 'Law Report: In Divorce' and 'Legal Notices'.
mcN 1463 (Drawer No. 3) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney Mail, Sunday Herald, Sun Herald 1927-1961
Quarterly indexes, Sydney Morning Herald 1927 to September 1961; Sydney Mail 1927-1938; Sunday Herald 1949-September 1953; Sun Herald October 1953-September 1961
RX 079.944 SYD - Print
mfm NX 14 - Microfilm - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
mcN 145 - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Northern Territory
Government Gazette (NT) 1873-1914
Index of people mentioned in the Northern Territory Government Gazette November 1873 to December 1914.
mcN 797 - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Index of Boats Mentioned in the Northern Territory Newspapers 1873-1914
November 1873 to December 1914
mcN 798 (Drawer No. 23) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Northern Australian 1883-1890
Index of people mentioned in the Northern Australian June 1883 to May 1890.
mcN 795 - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Northern Territory Times and Gazette Name Index 1875
Brief notes appear beside many names, e.g. witness, coolie, NT boat crew. Names of ships indexed on last 2 frames following names of persons.
mcN 503 (Drawer No. 23) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Northern Territory Times and Gazette Name Index 1876
Brief notes appear beside many names, e.g. witness, coolie, NT boat crew. Names of ships indexed on last 2 frames following names of persons.
mcN 502 (Drawer No. 23) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Northern Territory Times and Gazette Name Index 1877
Brief notes appear beside many names, e.g. witness, coolie, NT boat crew. Names of ships indexed on last 2 frames following names of persons.
mcN 501 (Drawer No. 23) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Northern Territory Times and Gazette Name Index 1882
Brief notes appear beside many names, e.g. witness, coolie, NT boat crew. Names of ships indexed on last 2 frames following names of persons.
mcN 500 (Drawer No. 23) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Queensland
Bundaberg Daily News 1907-1925
Index of named persons in the newspaper covering all aspects of life.
NQ 079.9432 B942 - Available via ecallslip request for use in the Main Reading Room
Bundaberg Daily News & Mail 1925-1940
Index of named persons in the newspaper covering all aspects of life. Separate books for 1925-1930; 1931-1935; 1936; 1937; 1938;1939; 1940.
NQ 079.9432 B942 - Available via ecallslip request for use in the Main Reading Room
Bundaberg Daily Times 1930-1939
Index of named persons in the newspaper covering all aspects of life.
NQ 079.9432 B942 - Available via ecallslip request for use in the Main Reading Room
Bundaberg Mail 1900-1925
Index of named persons in the newspaper covering all aspects of life.
NQ 079.9432 B942 - Available via ecallslip request for use in the Main Reading Room
Gympie Times 1875-1884
Birth, marriage, death and funeral notices
RXq 929.3945 S664
Nambour Chronicle Index 1903-1983
Names listing, names index, subject listing, subject index.
mcN 1147 - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Nashville and Gympie Times 1868-1874
Birth, marriage and death notices
RXq 929.3945 W411
Marlborough Chronicle 1900-1914
Births, deaths and marriages compiled by members of the Marlborough District Family History Society as a Bicentennial Project. Partial contents 1900-1907; 1908-1914.
mcN 883 (Drawer No. 24) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Queensland Obituaries Index 1996-
Published by the Queensland Family History Society in three volumes.
mcN 1501 (Drawer No. 24) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
South Australia
Abbot Index 1841-1928
Non-comprehensive index of births, deaths, marriages, obituaries, biographies, and news items from the SA Register, Observer, Chronicle and Northern Argus.
mcN 824 - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Adelaide Chronicle 1921-1923
Personal notices index.
mcN 1306 (Drawer No. 28) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Advertiser (SA) 1991-1996
Index of death notices appearing in the Advertiser.
mcN 1153 - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Government Gazette (SA) 1840-1940
Sudden death index.
mcN 1151 (Drawer No. 26) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Key to Newspaper Index 1846-1887
An index of three papers: the Adelaide Times, the South Australian and the South Australian Register, that have been indexed for names that appear in passenger lists of ships arriving in South Australia from overseas.
mcN 1901 (Drawer No. 28) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Tasmania
Early Coastal Newspapers: Births Deaths & Marriages Index 1877-1912
Index from early papers of the north west coast of Tasmania. Papers include: The Advocate, The Zeehan and Dundas Herald, The Emu Bay Times and The Wellington Times, The Mount Lyall Standard and Strahan Gazette, Coastal News and North Western Advertiser, Deloraine-Westbury Advocate, North-Coast Standard, and The Banner. Includes anniversaries, obituaries, funerals and other special events.
RXq 929.39465 T199
Early Launceston Newspapers: Passenger Arrivals and Departures 1829-1845
Index from newspapers including: The Cornwall Chronicle, The Independent, The Examiner and The Launceston Advertiser. Volume 1 1829-1840 and Volume 2 1841-1845.
mcN 1363 (Drawer No. 29) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Launceston Examiner 1842-1848
Card Index containing Births Deaths and Marriages.
Issues Desk - Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Mercury 1858-1899
Titled: Whitton's Index to The Mercury. Consists of 3 individually bound books, one each on births, deaths, and marriages.
RX 929.3946 W627
Tasmanian Mail and Weekly Courier
Titled: Index to News Items and Obituaries of WWI Servicemen and Women in the Tasmanian Weekly Magazines. Volume 1 contains items from The Tasmanian Mail and Volume 2 from The Weekly Courier. Approximately 1000 WW1 servicemen and women are listed.
NLq 940.3946 I38 - Available via ecallslip request for use in the Main Reading Room
Titled: Index to Photographs of WWI Servicemen and Women in the Tasmanian Weekly Magazines. Shortly after World War I began, readers were invited to send photographs of the servicemen and women in their family. These appeared in almost every issue from late 1914 to 1919 and occasionally in 1920s. Volume 1 contains items from The Weekly Courier and Volume 2 from The Tasmanian Mail.
NLq 940.3946 I38 - Available via ecallslip request for use in the Main Reading Room
Victoria Police Gazette 1853-1893
Index to Tasmanians.
mcN 1621 (Drawer No. 29) - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Victoria
Age 1868-1899
Index to the Age (Melbourne) by subject heading. Years indexed are 1868-1878 and 1892-1899.
RX 079.9451 AGE - Print
mfm NX 41 - Microfilm - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Annals of Bendigo Index 1851-1987
The Annals of Bendigo contained summaries of news items appearing in the Bendigo Advertiser newspaper from commencement of publication in 1851. The Advertiser was the first newspaper published on the Victorian goldfields.
NLq 016.99454 G816 - Available via ecallslip request for use in the Main Reading Room
Argus 1846-1854
Indexed by subject heading.
RX 079.9451 ARG - Print
mfm G 7726 - Microfilm - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Argus 1860-1869
In 5 volumes, these indexes cover Victorian and national news; news from other Australian colonies and states and overseas when it relates to Victoria or Australia; all editorials, letters to editor, theatre and book reviews, literary contributions; feature articles relating to Victoria or Australia; biographies and obituaries; court cases.
RXq 079.9451 ARG
Argus 1870-1879
Available online.
Argus 1910-1949
Half-yearly subject index.
RX 079.9451 ARG - Print
mfm NX 124 - Microfilm - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Argus - Births, Deaths & Marriages 1846-1853
Listing of births, deaths and marriages that appeared in the Argus newspaper. Contains the entire entry that appeared in the newspaper. Compiled by Elsie C. Graham.
NQ 079.9451 G738 - Available via ecallslip request for use in the Main Reading Room
Argus - Births, Deaths & Marriages 1846-1865
Listing of births, deaths, marriages and funeral notices but also incorporates any activities relating to a birth, death or marriage such as inquests, murders, wife-beating, maintenance applications etc. Compiled by Marion Button.
mcN 1358 - Microfiche - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Geelong Advertiser 1966-1967
Index and Summary.
RXpf 079.9452 G297
Gippsland Times 1861-1900
This is not a complete index, however it includes family names, businesses, industries, issues, towns and districts.
RX 079.9456 GIP
Melbourne Punch 1904-1929
Melbourne Punch had, amongst other regular features, a People We Know section and consisted of columns of discrete paragraphs about political, administrative, social and economic personalities of the day.
RX 079.9451 C932
Western Australia
Inquirer (WA) 1874-1878
Death notices for the period 1874 to 1878.
mcN 1136 - Microfiche - Access through Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Nineteenth Century Newspapers: Births, Deaths, Marriages
Birth notices from The Inquirer 1840-1881 and Perth Gazette 1833-1878. Death notices from The Inquirer 1833-1866 and Perth Gazette 1833-1866. Marriage notices from The Inquirer 1840-1881 and Perth Gazette 1833-1878. In addition, a small number of early entries are included from the West Australian Gazette, West Australian Chronicle, Freemantle Observer, Swan River Guardian and Commercial News & Shipping.
mcN 803 - Microfiche - Access through Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
West Australian: Birth Notices 1986-1998
Birth notices for the periods 1986-1990 and 1997-1998.
mcN 804 (Drawer No. 44) - Microfiche - Access through Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
West Australian: Death Notices 1985-1998
Death notices for the periods 1985-1994 and 1997-1998.
mcN 486 - Microfiche - Access through Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
West Australian: "Can you help" 1988-1998
Index of the "Can you help" column for the periods 1988-1993, 1995 and 1997-1998.
mcN 1198 (Drawer No. 44) - Microfiche - Access through Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Western Mail 1931-1940
Birth notices.
mcN 2113 (Drawer No. 44) - Microfiche - Access through Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
Overseas
Asia
China Daily Index 1990-1994
RX 079.51 IND
Colonies and India 1878-1883
Titled: Strays With an Australian Connection : Births, Deaths, Marriages from January 5, 1878 to December 21, 1883. The Colonies and India was a London weekly journal containing the latest home, colonial and foreign intelligence.
RXq 929.394 S913
Indian Press Index 1968-1987
RX 079.54 IND
Survey of People's Republic of China Press 1974-1977
Selections from People's Republic of China magazines, and Current Background.
RX 079.51 SUR
Times of India, Bombay 1973-1979
RX 079.54 TIM
Europe
Current Digest of the Soviet and Post-Soviet Press 1976-
RX 077 CUR
Le Monde (France) Index 1963-2001
Covers the years 1963-1968, 1977-1979 and 1982-2001
RX 074.36 MON
South Pacific
Papua New Guinea Post Courier Selective Index 1972-1986
RX 079.957 PAP
Solomon Star Index 1988-1990
RX 079.9593 SOL
Times of Papua New Guinea – Selective Index 1985-1994
RX 079.953 SEL
United Kingdom
Financial Times (London) Annual Index 1981-1986
RX 072.1 ANN
Guardian (Manchester) Index 1842-1985
RM mfm 1853
Guardian (Manchester) Index 1986-2003
RX 071.11 GUA
Illustrated London News 1842-1891
Index to illustrations of ships, ports and places, and other items of general interest to Australia and New Zealand. Series Title: Maritime Illustrations Index 2.
RXq 387.50994 I29
Independent (London) Official Index 1992-1994
Index to the final editions of the Independent and the Independent on Sunday.
RX 072.1 IND
Times (London) Obituaries and Tributes 1951-1970
An index to all obituaries and tributes appearing in the Times for these years.
RX 920.02 O12
Times (London) Index 1906-
RX 074.2 TIM
Also available in full text online
Times (London) 1790 -1905
Palmer's Index.
SQ 074.2 TIM
Also available online
Times Literary Supplement Index 1940-1985
RX 805 TIM
North America
Canadian Newspaper Index 1977-1992
RX 071.1 CAN
Chicago Tribune Index 1972-2004
RX 071.7311 CHI
Christian Science Monitor Index 1984-2004
RX 077.3 CHR
Honolulu Advertiser and Honolulu Star-Bulletin Index 1929-1990
RX 079.969 IND
Los Angeles Times Index 1972-2004
RX 071.9494 LOS
Los Angeles times master index 1927-1945
Subject Index 1927-1935 and General Index 1935-1945.
mfm X592 - Microfilm - Access through the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room
National Observer (Washington, D.C.) Index 1969-1976
RX 071.49 NAT
New York Times Index 1851-
Dates range from September 1851 to 1946 and from 1948 to present.
RX 071.471 NEW
New York Times Obituaries Index 1858-1978
RXq 929.3 N532
New Orleans Times-Picayune Index 1972-1983
RX 071.6335 TIM
Wall Street Journal Index 1958-
RX 071.471 WAL
Washington Post Index 1972-
RX 071.53 WAS
