Family History Collection
Have you ever wondered when your descendants came to Australia, or if you are related to the Royal Family, or a humble convict? Find out by using our specialised Family History Collection at Campsie Library.
Family History Resources
We have research material to guide beginners to trace their family tree as well as the more experienced. There are over 4,000 books, 20,000 microfiche, 700 microfilms and 200 CD-Roms to help budding and experienced family historians including:
- Birth, death and marriage indexes for all Australian states and New Zealand (CD-ROM, microfiche or microfilm)
- Passenger and shipping lists for all Australian states
- Convict records
- Cemetery records
- Land records
- NSW electoral rolls from 1860's
- Sydney newspapers and indexes from 1803
- Sands Sydney and NSW directory 1858-1933
- Colonial Secretary's papers 1788-1825
- British vital records index 1538-1888 - nearly five million names from parish registers, civil registrations and other record collections in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
- All ArchiveCD Books (Australia) published in NSW including NSW Government Gazettes (10 issues between 1832-1875 ); NSW Police Gazette 1866-1869, 1890-1910; Sands Directory; etc
- AGCI (Australian Genealogical Computer Index) - 4.7 million records (2 CD-ROMs)
Online Guides and Links
To check our comprehensive list of Family History material held at the City of Canterbury Library choose:
- Guide to Family History Resources : lists and describes - books, microfiche and microfilm
- Family History CD-ROM Guide : lists and describes each CD-ROM held in the Family History Collection
- What's new in the Family History Collection
- Family History Internet Links : for a quick and easy way to locating family history websites selected by Library staff.
Free Access to The Times Digital Archive
City of Canterbury Library card holders also have free access to the fabulous database The Times Digital Archive - a digital reproduction of all pages of every issue of The Times (London) newspaper from 1785 to 1985. It is a valuable resource for Family Historians particularly the obituaries, court cases, shipping news and social columns. To check if the ship your ancestor travelled on to Australia is listed or to see if an ancestor made the news choose - The Times Digital Archive - then enter your membership number which is located on the back of your City of Canterbury library card.
If you do not have a City of Canterbury library card just visit any branch of the City of Canterbury Library, complete an application formand show current photo ID to be issued with your free membership card on the spot. Library membership is free and open to all.
Family History Collection (Access)
There is no charge to use the Family History Collection. We have 2 PCs with free internet access dedicated to family history research, 2 microfiche reader/printers and 4 microfiche readers available 7 days and 5 evenings a week at:
City of Canterbury Library (Campsie Library)
14-28 Amy Street, Campsie NSW 2194
Hours: Monday to Friday: 10am - 8pm;
Saturday: 9.30am - 4pm;
Sunday: 2pm - 5pm
To book to use a Family History PC please call (02) 9789 9423 or choose this link to book online.
Please contact the Images and Family History Librarian by telephone on (02) 9789 9562 or email at catherineh@canterbury.nsw.gov.au if you:
- need help with starting your family tree
- are stumped with locating an elusive ancestor
- would like a tour of the collection
- would like to know more about the collection
Black and white A4 copies cost 20 cents and black and white A3 40 cents per page.
Canterbury Genealogy Discussion Group
Canterbury Genealogy Discussion Group began in 1985 and disbanded in 2004. If anyone would like to re-form the group, please contact Catherine Hardie on 9789 9423.
For many years Canterbury Genealogy Discussion Group produced the 'Canterbury Bell : newsletter of the Canterbury Genealogy Discussion Group' in conjunction with the City of Canterbury Library. The journal featured articles about Canterbury City people and places as well as articles of general genealogical interest many written by members of the group.
In latter years each issue of the Canterbury Bell featured an article written from the valuable local oral histories recorded, transcribed and held in the Canterbury & District Historical Society Collection. These articles featuring stories of long-time Canterbury City residents were often illustrated from the City of Canterbury Local History Photograph Collection. The 'Canterbury Bell' is progressively being published on this site.