Victoria Government Records Index

Front page of issue 1 of the Victoria Government Gazette, 9 July 1851.

The government records of the Australian state of Victoria trace the state’s transformation from a pastoral region to a gold rush hub and industrial center. Official registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in 1853, with earlier church records available for the Port Phillip District era. The Victorian Government Gazette provides updates on land sales, appointments, and company notices. Electoral rolls, valuation records, and school admission registers illuminate settlement and educational patterns. Researchers should also consult court documents, mining licenses, and public employment records. These sources offer detailed portraits of both urban and rural life during periods of rapid population growth and social change.