The government records of Australia are foundational to tracing family histories across the continent. Following colonization in 1788, each state developed its own civil and administrative systems. The Commonwealth Government Gazette and state gazettes published notices on appointments, bankruptcies, and land transactions. Electoral rolls—published regularly since the 19th century—are a rich source of adult names and addresses. Taxation records, land grants, convict files, and public servant lists provide further insights. Post-Federation (1901) records are often divided between federal and state authorities. Researchers investigating their Aussie roots should also consult school registers, naturalization papers, and military service records for a fuller family profile.
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Government, Land, Court & Wills
Government Records
- Australia, Government Honours and Awards 275,264 records
- Hobart Gazette 1903 2,448 records
- Hobart Gazette 1906 2,434 records
- Hobart Gazette 1905 2,279 records
- Commonwealth Public Service List 1920 552 records
