Research Guides: Births, deaths and marriages: Biographies and genealogies

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are kindly advised that this website includes images, sounds and names of people who have passed.

All users should be aware that some topics or historical content may be culturally sensitive, offensive or distressing, and that some images may contain nudity or are of people not yet identified. Certain words, terms or descriptions may reflect the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written, but are now considered inappropriate in today's context.

Key to library resources

	Log in as a Library member (NSW residents only) or visit the Library
	Visit the Library
	Freely accessible eresource

Biographies and genealogies

Resources

Australian dictionary of biography [external website]
Search for biographical information about significant Australians who died before 1990. You will find the date and place of their birth, the date of their death, the names of their parents, spouse and children, their mother’s maiden name and where they lived. You might also find details about their education, career and life achievements.
Australian biographical and genealogical record - series 1, 1788-1841 [catalogue record]
Search through more than 1,500 biographies of individuals who were born or arrived in Australia between 1788 and 1841. You may find your ancestor’s date of birth and death as well as the names of their family members and their date of birth and death. Other details that you might find include the maiden and married names of your female ancestors. There might also be a photograph of your ancestor.
Australian biographical and genealogical record – series 2, 1842–1899 [catalogue record]
Search more than 1,300 biographies of individuals who were born or arrived in Australia between 1842 and 1899. You may find information about your ancestor such as the names of their parents, spouse, children and spouse’s parents. Other details that you might find include their daughters' married names, and the years of their children's births and deaths. There might also be a photograph of your ancestor.
Convict families that made Australia: containing genealogical details of two hundred and fifty convicts, their wives, children & grandchildren [catalogue record]
Search three volumes for information about convicts who arrived in New South Wales between 1821 and 1840. You may find your ancestor’s date of birth, conviction, arrival, marriage and death as well as details about their spouse, children, grandchildren and other family members including by marriage.
A genealogical history of pioneer families of Australia [catalogue record]
Search biographies about families who arrived in Australia between 1788 and 1838. Find complete genealogies of these families and their descendants. You may find dates of births, marriages and deaths as well as names of family members including spouses and children, education and work history, the date they arrived in Australia and where their family settled.
Irish families in Australia and New Zealand 1788–1994 [catalogue record]
Find biographies of people who were born overseas or in Australia who have Irish ancestry. You will find their date of birth, marriage and death, the name of their parents, spouse and children, and details about their education, career and other interests.
The pioneer register: containing genealogical details of five hundred pioneers, their children & grandchildren [catalogue record]
Search the indexes to find information about your pioneer ancestors and their direct descendants from those who arrived in the colony prior to 1820. You can find details about their birth, arrival, death, marriage as well as their children and grandchildren.
A register of pioneer families [catalogue record]
Find biographical information about pioneer families who arrived in Australia before 1821. You can find their name, family members’ names, dates and places of births, deaths and marriages, and the name of the ship they arrived on.