Local History Resources

Post Office directories

Post Office directories and almanacs are a valuable source of information for family historians. Search directories online 1864-1899 and 1900-1973 (includes Sands and McDougall directories).

Visit the State Library website - SA postal directories and almanacs and directories. 

South Australiana

www.slsa.sa.gov.au/collections/south-australiana
Materials in this collection date from before formal 1836 colonisation of the state, to the present day, including the Northern Territory before 1911. Many items have been donated by members of the South Australian community.

SA Memory

www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm
SA Memory is an online gateway to South Australian history, heritage and culture. This multimedia website focuses on the South Australian experience - what makes South Australia unique. SA Memory illustrates and interprets themes to highlight South Australia's people, places, issues and events from the colony's beginnings to contemporary times: South Australia's 'memory'.

Family history

www.slsa.sa.gov.au/collections/family-history
The State Library of South Australia has a bounty of information to assist you to discover your family history.

National Film and sound archives 

www.slsa.sa.gov.au/national-film-and-sound-archive-access
The State Library is the NFSA's Access Centre for South Australia. We have a small selection of NFSA collection items onsite, largely dealing with SA topics.

Digital Collections

digital.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/pages

Photographic Collection

https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/

Catalogue

www.catalog.slsa.sa.gov.au

www.naa.gov.au

The National Archives' collection contains records about key events and decisions that have shaped Australian history.  With more than 40 million items, the collection mainly includes Australian Government records from Federation in 1901 to now. 

The National Archives of Australia holds the memory of our nation and keeps vital Australian Government records safe.

 Visit the National Archives of Australia website

 Visit the National Archives of Australia Mapping Our ANZAC's website

West Maps public is a Geographic Information System (GIS) which can provide and analyse information based on location, including:

• aerial photography from 1948 and 2020
• Council's Boulevard of Honour - recognising our returned veterans ;
• property searches
• heritage layers and historic conservation images

Access National Library of Australia resources to find the history of your house.

Visit the National Library of Australia website

trove.nla.gov.au
Find and get Australian and online resources: books, images, historic newspapers, maps, music, archives and more.

Digitised newspapers:  trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper

pandora.nla.gov.au
PANDORA, Australia's Web Archive, is a growing collection of Australian online publications, established initially by the National Library of Australia in 1996, and now built in collaboration with nine other Australian libraries and cultural collecting organisations. 

history.sa.gov.au

In support of South Australia’s history network of committed volunteer associations and local history specialists, we manage a Community Museums Program and offer annual grants for research and writing to promote the value of history and our place in the world. Every year we present South Australia’s History Festival – a statewide celebration of community history, collections and heritage. We present great community events such as the Bay to Birdwood vintage car run and other events, festivals and celebrations on South Australia’s cultural calendar.

Did you know that you can access Ancestry.com for free with your library card?

Ancestry provides access to an extensive range of genealogical resources from the United States and United Kingdom, including census, vital, church, court, and immigration records. It also provides limited Australian coverage.

Ordinarily, Ancestry Library Edition is only available on the computers within the Library, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, access is now available remotely (e.g. on your home computer) until 31 December 2021. You can access it here. Log in with your library card number and PIN, then select 'Ancestry Library' from the list.

Access Ancestry Library Edition

The MAPCO website is a philanthropical project, designed to raise awareness and appreciation of history using old maps and photographs. The website displays many high quality historical maps and views, with an emphasis on London, U.K., and Australia. The MAPCO website is a free access site.

This site is intended primarily as a research aid for genealogical and historical researchers. The maps, prints and views on the MAPCO website are displayed free of charge for the use of students, historians and genealogists, to assist with heritage and family history research. Please also refer to terms of use.

www.adelaideairport.com.au/corporate/about-us/company-profile/history

Photos on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/30723053@N06

South Australian Integrated Land Information System (SAILIS) provides access to a range of information products for account and public users.  Use Historical Searching to access historical ownership information for properties in South Australia. 

Access State Records house and property information. 

Visit the State Records of South Australia website

Genealogy SA is the leading resource for South Australian family history information.

Visit the Genealogy SA website

Geoffrey Haydon Manning began researching his family history during the mid-1980s. His endeavour soon blossomed into an enduring curiosity about the origin of South Australian place names. Search The Manning Index of South Australian History

Geoffrey Manning wrote on a wide range of historical topics. This website showcases his main works.

Some publications are available to download for research purposes, please take into consideration any copyright restrictions.

• A Social History of Thebarton
• Essays on colonial SA History
• Betrayal of Aborigines in SA Colonial History
• The Russians Are Coming! : The Defence of Colonial South Australia - 1837-1900
• Memoirs of Thomas Frost 1825-1910

The collection contains a wealth of material to help you research and find your connection to the wartime experiences of the brave men and women who served in Australia's military forces.

Visit the Australian War Memorial website

Search these nominal rolls list members of Australia's defence forces who served during World War Two, Korean War, Vietnam War and First Gulf War.

 Visit the Department of Veteran Affairs (Nominal Rolls) website 

The Monument Australia website is a historical and educational research sit which records the public monuments and memorials in all Australian States and Territories under various themes. These public monuments and memorials  were erected by a a public desire to commemorate people and events.