Collections

Knowing where to start researching your family history can be daunting, so we've compiled this starter guide to get you on your way to discovering your past.

We have compiled a list of top 10 family history websites to help get your research started.

We have compiled a list of top 10 family history cemetery records to help get your research started.

We have compiled a list of top 10 family history resident resources to help get your research started.

This research guide has been developed to assist Australian Aboriginal people wanting to trace members of their family, within the collections of the State Library.

Search vital records online or find where they are held. The Library has records from major churches and some undertakers and solicitors. 

Check our resources for passenger arrivals and shipping movements in and out of South Australia, as well as our extensive collections focusing on life at sea.

Want to find out the history of house residents? This guide will get you started.

Originally compiled by Gerald Savill and being added to continually by State Library volunteers and staff is the Savill Index of The Advertiser Funeral Notices website, which covers funeral notices from 1971 onwards.

The State Library holds extensive church records for South Australia as well as histories and photographs of churches.

Read reports of the deaths of South Australians in the First World War or learn about your ancestor’s involvement in major conflicts.

Government records sometimes give key information for genealogy. The Library has indexes and publications including police and education gazettes and electoral rolls.

Published annually for 130 years, the State Library has digitised South Australian post office directories listing city and country households for 1864 to 1973.

Come in and have a look, they are located in the Spence Wing walkway, near to the security desk. Or you can explore the groups of men and women online.