Lexi Webster
If you're looking to find relatives in Australia, there are a number of resources and organisations that can help. The National Library of Australia (NLA) offers access to historical electoral rolls and other research materials that can help locate relatives. The NLA also has a research guide for family history which includes information on birth, death and marriage registries. The National Archives of Australia is another rich source of information for family historians, with records on those who migrated to Australia, served in the military, or had other forms of government contact. The Australian Red Cross provides a free service to help find relatives missing due to wars, migration, and natural disasters. Online genealogy websites such as Findmypast, Ancestry, and FamilySearch can also be useful for building family trees and accessing historical records. Social media platforms like Facebook can be used to search for relatives, but it's important to take precautions to protect your privacy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| National and state libraries and archives | National Archives of Australia, Public Record Office Victoria, National Library of Australia |
| Employ a professional genealogist | Australasian Association of Genealogists and Record Agents (AAGRA) |
| Ancestry websites | Findmypast.com.au, FamilySearch.org |
| Electoral roll | Available at Australian Electoral Commission offices |
| Facebook groups | Find & Connect, local community pages |
| Telephone directory | White Pages |
| Reunion websites | Oz Reunion |
| Missing Persons centre | Australian Federal Police |
| Adoption records | Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants |
| Birth, Death and Marriage registries | Available in each state and territory |
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What You'll Learn
Use genealogy websites and records
Genealogy websites and records are a great way to find relatives in Australia. There are many genealogy websites that provide access to billions of records worldwide, including those specific to Australia. Some websites, like Ancestry.com.au, Findmypast.com.au, and MyAncestors.com.au, offer free access to Australian records. These websites can help you build your family tree, search for specific ancestors, and uncover new stories from archives.
To get started, gather as much family information as possible, including documents, photographs, and records. Talk to your relatives and see if anyone else in the family has already started researching your family history. You can use family history tree charts to document your family tree and identify gaps in your knowledge. Choose an ancestor to focus on and capture details like marriages, occupations, education, military service, arrival in Australia, and First Nations ancestry.
Genealogy websites often provide access to a variety of records, including birth, marriage, and death certificates; census records; military records; immigration records; and historical newspapers. These records can provide valuable information, such as family notices, obituaries, shipping news, and social events. In Australia, birth, marriage, and death records are held individually by each state, and most states have searchable online indexes. Many cemetery records have also been digitised, providing easy online search functions.
In addition to genealogy websites, you can also explore the resources offered by organisations like the National Library of Australia (NLA) and the Society of Australian Genealogists (SAG). The NLA provides research guides, online databases, and other resources to help you trace your ancestry. The SAG has been helping people trace their family history for over 80 years and offers a world-class library and manuscript collection.
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Search electoral rolls and the White Pages
The electoral roll is a list of the names and addresses of everyone who is eligible and enrolled to vote in Australia. Electoral rolls can be of great value to family historians and other researchers as they help to locate the residential address of a known person in a particular year or over a period of years, as well as changes of address over time. They can also be used to identify other adult family members living at the same address or as a substitute for census records.
The National Library of Australia (NLA) holds a comprehensive run of historical Commonwealth electoral rolls dating from 1903. Before Federation and for some years afterwards, there were separate rolls for Commonwealth and state elections. The Commonwealth Electoral Commission now produces these rolls for each state. A separate state roll is still maintained by Western Australia.
To find entries for state and territory electoral rolls, search the catalogue using the exact term “voting registers – [state or territory name] – periodicals” (with quotation marks). To determine the electorate (division) or sub-division for a person based on a known city, town, or locality, you can use:
- The Commonwealth of Australia, 1901-1988, Electoral Redistributions [Atlas] in the Newspapers and Family History zone
- Alphabetical List of Polling Places by State in the drawer marked ‘Electoral Rolls 1’ of the electoral rolls microfiche cabinet in the Newspapers and Family History zone
Before 1990, voters are listed alphabetically by surname and first name within each sub-division of an electoral division for each state or territory. After 1990, voters are listed alphabetically by surname and first name within each state or territory.
An Australia-wide electronic version of the current Australian Electoral Roll is available for viewing at any Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) National or State Office. Individual AEC Division Offices only have the roll for that Division available. The AEC also provides information on Australian electoral history, past federal electoral events, referenda, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissions' elections, and more.
As of August 2023, viewing access to the full electoral roll is only available at AEC state offices. Public access terminals at divisional AEC offices now only provide access to the electoral roll for the federal division(s) represented by that office. Further information is available on the AEC website.
Historical rolls are available through state libraries and the National Library of Australia.
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Find and Connect services
The Find & Connect support services are for people who were in children's institutions such as orphanages and foster care in Australia from the 1920s up to 1989. Many people who use this service want to access records about a family member, but they may not be eligible for help with searching. Calling the Find & Connect support service to discuss your situation is a good first step.
The Find & Connect website provides information about records relating to children who were placed in "out-of-home" care in Australian orphanages, Children's Homes, and other institutions. It also contains material that may be disturbing to some.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people separated from their families due to past Australian government laws, practices, and policies can get help locating family with Link-Up services. These services are geographically based, and the ACT and Tasmania do not have Link-Up services.
The Australian Red Cross provides a free tracing service to help find relatives missing through wars, internal conflict, migration, and/or natural disasters. It is part of the global Restoring Family Links network.
The Family Links Network helps people look for family members lost due to armed conflict, violence, natural or man-made disasters, migration, and other situations of humanitarian need.
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Facebook groups and local community pages
Facebook is a free website with over 400 million users that lets people find friends and relatives and interact online. There are Facebook groups and local community pages that may assist you in your search for relatives in Australia. These groups are not affiliated with any official services, so exercise caution and be mindful of your privacy and that of your relatives when posting on such pages.
One such group is Find & Connect, which supports people who were in children's homes, orphanages, and foster care in Australia from the 1920s up to 1989. They help people access records about their parents, siblings, and other family members. Another group, which is more private, focuses on using DNA to find biological family members.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were separated from their families due to past Australian government laws, practices, and policies can get help locating family with Link-Up services. Additionally, people affected by forced adoption can find relevant organizations at the provided link.
The Family Links Network assists people in finding family members lost due to armed conflict, violence, natural disasters, migration, and other humanitarian situations.
You can also try searching for local community pages in the town or city where your relatives live. These pages can be a great way to connect with people who may know your relatives or have information about their whereabouts.
Remember, when using Facebook and other online sources, it is important to verify that you have found the right person before making contact. Contact with long-lost relatives can be sensitive, so handle the situation carefully and consider making initial contact in writing via email or post.
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Employ a professional genealogist
Employing a professional genealogist can be a great option for those seeking to find relatives in Australia. Here are some key considerations when hiring a genealogist:
Qualifications and Experience:
Look for a genealogist with extensive experience and expertise in Australian genealogy research. They should be well-versed in various research strategies and sources, including physical and online repositories. The genealogist should be capable of working independently and efficiently to stay within your budget.
Certification and Skills:
Ensure your chosen genealogist is certified and skilled enough to handle challenging research projects. They should be able to tackle any roadblocks that may arise during the family history research process.
Cost and Communication:
Consider your budget and choose a genealogist who offers cost-effective services. It is essential to maintain open and constant communication with your genealogist to ensure they understand your desired outcome and keep you updated on their progress.
Reviews and Testimonials:
Before hiring, research the genealogist's qualifications and experience by reading public reviews and testimonials. Websites and online forums can provide insights into the quality of their work and the experiences of previous clients. This will help you make an informed decision and ensure you choose a reputable and qualified professional.
Specialisation:
Some genealogists may specialise in specific regions or types of research. For example, some may have expertise in military history, while others may focus on pre- or post-war family tracing. Consider your unique requirements and choose a genealogist with relevant specialisations or experience.
By employing a professional genealogist with the right qualifications, skills, and experience, you can increase your chances of successfully finding your relatives in Australia and gaining valuable insights into your family history.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several tools and directories that can help you search for relatives in Australia. You can find an Australia-wide electronic version of the current electoral roll at Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) offices in each state or territory. You can also access historical electoral rolls at the National Library of Australia (NLA) and state libraries.
The National Archives of Australia is a rich source of information for family historians. You can search for family surnames using RecordSearch. Many researchers trace their Australian ancestry through convict records, which are available on Ancestry. Family tree builders like Findmypast can also help you find relatives by searching genealogy records.
The Australian Federal Police’s Missing Persons centre provides support and advice to families of missing relatives. The Australian Red Cross provides a free tracing service to help find relatives missing through wars, internal conflict, migration, and natural disasters.
Yes, it's important to be cautious when searching for relatives online. Unless you use private messaging, what you post on social media platforms like Facebook is visible to everyone. Be sure to protect your privacy and that of the person you're trying to locate by not sharing personal information such as your address, phone number, or birthday.
