Directory
Helpful Website Links
Websites I return to for Tasmanian history, genealogy and family history research, from archives and indexes to societies and newspapers. Filter by keyword or jump to a letter.
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1788-1868 Convict Transportation Records
Database of convicts transported to Australia between 1788 and 1868.
nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/transported-convicts-australian-colonies/19th Century British Newspapers
Access to British Library's newspaper collections, including information about Tasmanian convicts and settlers.
bl.uk/collection-guides/newspapersA
A Timeline of Tasmanian Aboriginal History
Timeline produced by Dr. Shayne Breen, Geography & Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania with additional Flinders Island information from Maxine Roughley.
tasmaniangeographic.com/a-timeline-of-tasmanian-aboriginal-historyArchives Office of Tasmania
Official archives and records of Tasmania, including historical documents, photographs, and records.
libraries.tas.gov.au/archive-heritage/Ancestry.com.au
Leading genealogy website with access to billions of historical records, family trees, and DNA testing.
ancestry.com.auAustralian Dictionary of Biography
Comprehensive biographical dictionary featuring notable Australians from colonial times to present.
adb.anu.edu.auAustralian Heritage Database
Information about Australian natural, Indigenous and historic places of cultural significance.
environment.gov.au/heritage/publications/australian-heritage-databaseArchives of New Zealand 'Search'
Search collections online. Digitisation team is working to make holdings available online. If you want them to digitise an item they haven't reached yet, you can pay to bump it to the top of the queue.
archives.govt.nzArmy Museum of Tasmania
The barracks is recognised as one of Australia's most significant and historic precincts, it dates back to 1814.
armymuseumtasmania.org.auAssessment Roll Index (Tasmania)
Every year, each municipal council had to draw up a list showing the valuation of each property for the assessment of rates. These Assessment Rolls were published in the Tasmanian Government Gazette until 1957.
nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1382450620Australian History Research
Cathy Dunn is a public historian, experienced presenter, holding a Master of History (UNE), and operates both Australian History Research and Heritage Tourism. Member of the History Council of NSW.
australianhistoryresearch.infoAustralian Medical Pioneer Index
Provides biographical data on over 4500 doctors who lived in Australia or visited Australian shores in a medical capacity in colonial days.
medicalpioneers.comAustralian Museums and Galleries – Tasmania
Information on some Tasmanian museums & galleries.
aumuseums.com/tas/Australian Web Archive
Consists of three collections sorted into categories: Pandora Archive, Australian Government Web Archive, and The Australian Domain Harvest Collection.
trove.nla.gov.au/webB
Bass Strait Maritime Centre
Archives and exhibits about Tasmania's maritime history, focusing on Bass Strait exploration and settlement.
bassstraitmaritimecentre.com.auBeaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre
Historical museum dedicated to the mining industry in Beaconsfield, Tasmania.
beaconsfieldheritage.com.auBeaconsfield Public Cemetery Register
Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Archives AF956/1-3 (3 registers) 01 Aug 1884 – 22 Dec 2016. Can download in PDF format.
libraries.tas.gov.au/Record/Archives/AF956Beyond The Pale – world immigrants to Van Diemen's Land before 1900
Tasmania has been populated by Aboriginal people since time immemorial. It was known internationally from 1642 until 1853 as Van Diemen's Land.
vdlworldimmigrants.wordpress.comBritish Newspaper Archive
Digitised collection of British and Irish historical newspapers from the 1700s to 2000s.
britishnewspaperarchive.co.ukBoer War 1899-1902
OZ-Boer Database Project. Search online or download file.
members.tip.net.au/~croe/ozb/ozb_1st.htmBound for Norfolk Plains
Norfolk Plains is a farming area encompassing Longford and Cressy.
historymatrix.wordpress.com/2013/07/10/bound-for-the-norfolk-plains/Brickendon Estate
One of Tasmania's oldest farming properties, settled in 1824 by William Archer. The farm has been continuously operated and lived on by his direct descendants, now in their seventh generation.
brickendon.com.auBruny Island History
Aboriginal culture is still strongly represented on Bruny Island today. The famous Murrayfield Station on North Bruny is operated by the Weetapoona Aboriginal Corporation.
brunyisland.org.au/history/Burnie Museum
Collections are not on display, however they are available for viewing for study and research purposes by appointment and are exhibited at the Museum from time to time.
burniearts.net/CollectionsC
Convict Records of Australia
Searchable database of Australian convict transportation records from 1787-1868.
convictrecords.com.auCentre for Tasmanian Historical Studies
Academic research center focusing on the history of Tasmania and its inhabitants.
utas.edu.au/humanities/research/centres/centre-for-tasmanian-historical-studiesColonial Tasmanian Family Links
Database of records pertaining to families in Tasmania during the colonial era.
libraries.tas.gov.au/archive-heritage/Pages/Colonial-Family-Links.aspxCarr Villa Cemetery Records - Launceston
Search online burials & cremations.
launceston.tas.gov.au/Carr-Villa-Memorial-Park/Burial-RecordsCarr Villa Cemetery Records - Launceston Archives
Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Archives AF158 series online 01 Aug 1905-15 Aug 1979.
libraries.tas.gov.au/Record/Archives/AF158Cascade Female Factory
World Heritage-listed Cascades Female Factory tells the story of the displacement, mistreatment and forced migration of convict women and girls, and their contribution to colonisation throughout the history of colonial Australia to the present day.
femalefactory.org.auCatholic Archives Burials sites
Providing transformative solutions to cemeteries since 2016, a journey sparked by personal loss and a determination to honour and remember our loved ones properly. Note: some have headstones.
map.chronicle.ripCatholic Parish Registers at the NLI
Contains images from the National Library of Ireland's collection of Catholic parish register microfilms. The registers contain records of baptisms and marriages from the majority of Catholic parishes in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 1880.
registers.nli.ieCentral Coast Council Cemetery / Grave Information
Search the Index. Includes maps of multiple cemeteries in the Central Coast area of Tasmania including Ulverstone, Penguin, Forth, North Motton, and others.
centralcoast.tas.gov.au/cemetery-grave-information/Channel Museum - Tasmania
Permanent displays with rare and fascinating insights into the cultural, social, artistic, and industrial life of the Channel pioneers and early settlers.
channelmuseum.orgCrime and Criminals – National Records of Scotland
Hold many records relating to crime and criminals.
nrscotland.gov.uk/research/guides/crime-and-criminalsConvict Brick Trail – Campbell Town
Convict Brick Trail is dedicated to convicts who were transported to Tasmania from 1788 onwards.
northernmidlands.tas.gov.au/community/news-events/monumentsmemorials-and-artwork/convict-bricks-databaseConvict Life in Tasmania
Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Archives resource on convict life.
libraries.tas.gov.au/family-history/convicts-in-van-diemens-land-nowtasmania/convict-life/Cornelian Bay Burial Records
Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Archives AF70 series, online. 16 Apr 1873 – 01 Jan 2001.
libraries.tas.gov.au/Record/Archives/AF70Cornelian Bay (Millington's) Cemetery Records
Hobart Cemetery opened 1872 - Search online burials & cremations. Includes: Kingston Regional, East Risdon, Cambridge and Pontville Catholic.
millingtons.com.au/cemetery-records-search/Curious Hobart: What is the history of the old district known as Wapping?
ABC article by Ross Lehman on the slum area of Hobart Town. Has some great b&w photographs.
abc.net.au/news/2018-01-16/curious-hobart-what-is-the-history-ofwapping/9261692Cygnet Inhabitants 1835-1930
Alphabetical list with information about inhabitants of Cygnet.
cygnethis.free.fr/cygnetInhabitants.htmlD
Dorset Council Cemetery Lists
Cemetery information for Bridport, Branxholm, Ellesmere, Gladstone, Moorina, Nabowla, North Scotsdale, Ringarooma, Springfield, and Stronach cemeteries.
dorset.tas.gov.au/cemeteries/DVA's Nominal Rolls Index
These rolls list members of Australia's defence forces who served during World War Two, Korean War, Vietnam War and First Gulf War.
nominal-rolls.dva.gov.auDNA Resources
Various DNA testing services for genealogy research. All DNA sites have fees that vary based on the test you want to undertake with extra charges for upgrades.
ancestry.com/dna/DNA Painter
Website for genealogists and enthusiasts who have taken an autosomal DNA test, interpreting test results can be a challenge.
dnapainter.com/tools/sharedcmv4E
East Coast Heritage Museum
East Coast Heritage Museum and War Memorial collects, exhibits, and preserves artifacts from the Glamorgan Spring Bay Municipality for the community, visitors, and future generations. The collection has over 4000 books, documents, photographs, and objects.
eastcoastheritage.org.aueheritage - old Linc Tasmania archived website
The content of this site has not been updated since 2012.
stors.tas.gov.au/eheritageF
Many Historical Societies and Family History and Surname Groups have pages you can access via your 'Facebook' account.
facebook.comFamilySearch
Free genealogy platform with billions of records, including Tasmanian vital records and church registries.
familysearch.orgFemale Convicts Research Centre
Research and resources about female convicts transported to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania).
femaleconvicts.org.auFindMyPast
Genealogy service with extensive British and Australian records, including census and military archives.
findmypast.com.auFranklin House (National Trust)
Built in 1838 by former convict brewer and publican, Briton Jones, in 1842 the house became one of the colony's leading private schools, run by W. K. Hawkes.
nationaltrust.org.au/places/franklin-house/Friends of the Orphan School
Orphan School and St. John's Park Precinct is a Tasmanian Heritage site situated at New Town.
orphanschool.org.auG
General Register Office UK 'Search'
The General Register Office holds records of births, deaths, marriages, civil partnerships, stillbirths and adoptions in England and Wales.
gov.uk/general-register-officeGENUKI
Provides a virtual reference library of genealogical information of particular relevance to the UK and Ireland. It is a non-commercial service, maintained by a charitable trust and a group of volunteers.
genuki.org.ukGeorge Town District Historical Society Inc.
Has an impressive collection of printed material, images, oral histories, databases and various other collections. The majority of their collection is held at the Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum.
gtdhs.comGlamorgan Spring Bay Historical Society Inc.
Not-for-profit entity established in 1991 to research, preserve and promote the history of the Glamorgan Spring Bay municipality.
glamorganhistory.org.auGlenora Cemetery Trust – Burial Receipts
Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Archives AC60/1/1 907-1941.
libraries.tas.gov.au/Record/Archives/AC60-1-1Gormanston Cemetery Trust
Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Archives LA21/3/1/102 Butts. Information on the form includes name, denomination, rank/occupation, late residence, place of birth, age, Minister, grave specifications, date and time of funeral and name of representative or undertaker. 1905-1945.
libraries.tas.gov.au/Record/Archives/LA21-3Gravesites of Tasmania
Photographs and lists of Tasmanian Headstones & Gravesites.
gravesoftas.com.auGriffith Valuation Roll – Ireland 'Search'
Officially known as the Primary Valuation of Ireland, was a land survey between 1847-1864.
askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/H
Highfield Historic Site – TPWS
Highfield Historic Site marked the first European occupation in North-West Tasmania. Building commenced in 1826 by convict labour under the watchful eye of Edward Curr, chief agent of Van Diemen's Land Company.
parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/highfield-historic-siteHobart Cemetery - Cornelian Bay (Millington's) Records
Opened 1872 - Search online burials & cremations. Includes: Kingston Regional, East Risdon, Cambridge and Pontville Catholic.
millingtons.com.au/cemetery-records-search/Hobart Public Cemetery
Libraries Tasmania, Tasmanian Archives AF17/1/1 Index of deceased persons whose remains were removed from various burial grounds.
libraries.tas.gov.au/Record/Archives/AF171-1-1Hobart Town (1804) First Settlers Association Inc.
Founded to foster and promote awareness of Hobart's historical heritage and to encourage members in the research, collection and writing of their family historical background.
htfs.org.auI
Irene Schaffer's Website
Well known and admired Tasmanian Family Historian, Author and Researcher.
tasfamily.net.auIreland Genealogy Projects Archives
Over 178,000 Headstones + more. Search by county and town.
igp-web.com/IGPArchives/Irish Famine Memorial, Sydney
Search database for Irish Famine Workhouse Emigrant Girls.
irishfaminememorial.org/orphans/Irish Transportation Register 1788-1868
The database index of transportation records is designed to be searched by surname, but may also be searched under place of trial, crime or date.
nationalarchives.ie/article/penal-transportation-records-ireland-australia-1788-1868/N
National Archives of Australia
Australia's archive of government records, including immigration, naturalization, and military service records.
naa.gov.auNational Library of Australia
Australia's largest reference library with extensive collections including books, manuscripts, and photographs.
nla.gov.auT
Tasmanian Archives
Official repository of Tasmanian government records and historical documents.
libraries.tas.gov.au/archive-heritage/Tasmanian Family History Society
Society dedicated to helping people research their Tasmanian family history.
tasfhs.orgTasmanian Names Index
Searchable index of names from various Tasmanian records including births, deaths, marriages, and more.
libraries.tas.gov.au/archive-heritage/Pages/Names-Index.aspxTasmanian Pictorial Church Index
A comprehensive database of Tasmanian churches with historical photographs and information.
app.taschurches.orgTasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Museum with collections and exhibitions on Tasmanian history, art, and natural science.
tmag.tas.gov.auTrove
National Library of Australia's database of resources including digitised newspapers, books, images, and more.
trove.nla.gov.auU
University of Tasmania - Special & Rare Collections
Historical books, manuscripts, and archival collections related to Tasmanian history.
utas.edu.au/library/research/special-and-rare-collectionsUK National Archives
Britain's official archive with records on colonial administration and transportation to Australia.
nationalarchives.gov.uk