New South Wales

This page lists New South Wales-related online, networked and microform resources as well as print publications available for use within the National Library of Australia.

Background

Civil registration of births, deaths and marriages in the Colony of New South Wales commenced in 1856. Prior to this date, baptisms, marriages and burials were recorded in Church registers.

The New South Wales civil registration system also included the following areas when under New South Wales administration:

• Federal Capital Territory/Australian Capital Territory
• Northern Territory
• Queensland

Online

NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

The NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages provides free, searchable, online indexes to the following:

• Births/baptisms 1788 - 100 years ago
• Marriages 1788 - 50 years ago
• Deaths/burials 1788 - 30 years ago

Findmypast (World Edition)

You can find Findmypast (World Edition) by visiting our eResources portal and searching for this database under the Browse eResources tab. Currently, Findmypast has the following New South Wales-related BDM records available:

• New South Wales Births 1788-1914
• New South Wales Marriages 1788-1945
• New South Wales Deaths 1788-1945

CD-ROMs in the Library

In addition to the Library's subscription databases, the following CD-ROM resources are available for access within the Library. 

• New South Wales Pioneers Index, 1788-1918 
  
  Includes church baptisms, marriage and burial records 1788-1856 (incomplete), and official birth, death and marriage records 1856-1918
• New South Wales Between the Wars Index 1919-1945
  
  includes marriage and death records only

Microfilmed and other published material

Within the Library you may access the following microfilm in the Newspapers and Family History zone:

• NSW Register of baptisms, burials, and marriages 1787-1856
  
  
  
  The records form part of the State Archives and Records NSW Genealogical Research Kit - Stage 1. 
  
  
  
  Search the NSW Birth, Death and Marriage Registry Index website to locate a record number. Records prior to 1856 can be identified by having volume reference numbers beginning with a V. 
  
  
  
  Eg. V183214 26 (year = 1832, entry no = 14., volume no. = 26)
  
  
  
  The Library holds microfilmed copies of Volumes 1-123 out of a total of 158 volumes and are contained in the New South Wales drawer AO 5001, second last drawer). Each microfilm box is labelled with volume number which corresponds to the index. Copies of entries in volumes not held by the Library may be purchased directly from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

NB: There are occasional Errors in the Place of Registration on the indexes.                  

Divorce Records

Divorce records for New South Wales commence from 1873 onward. 

The State Archives and Records of New South Wales hold divorce records from 1873-1975. Refer to their guide for further information. 

From 1976 onward, divorce records are the responsibility of the Commonwealth Family Court of Australia.