Victorian Genealogy
Finding People and Places in Victoria, Australia.
Public servants may have trained at a university. See University Records.
Also see Governments.
Victoria was the Port Phillip District of the Colony of New South Wales from 1788 until 1851. There were two failed attempts at settlement; these were in 1803-1804 and 1826-1828. Official settlement began in 1836. The New South Wales Colonial Government’s responsibilities included everything now looked after by the Australian Federal Government and Victorian State Government. The type of occupational records that are likely to be found at the colonial level include:
MUSEUMS OF HISTORY, NEW SOUTH WALES STATE ARCHIVES COLLECTION - RETURNS OF THE COLONY 1822-1857 (NRS 1286)
These include an annual return of public officials detailing situation and service. They are not online.
https://mhnsw.au/guides/blue-books-returns-the-colony-1822-57/
FAMILYSEARCH - NEW SOUTH WALES, COLONIAL SECRETARY, RETURNS OF THE COLONY 1822-1857
This includes officers in the civil service. It includes an index. Original records were at the Public Library of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/246561?availability=Family%20History%20Library
ANCESTRY - NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA, RETURNS OF THE COLONY, 1822-1857
These are provided in association with State Records Authority of NSW. They include an annual return of public officials detailing situation and service. They may be browsed and they are searchable.
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=1737
HISTORICAL RECORDS OF VICTORIA EDITED BY MICHAEL CANNON (BOOKS).
Victorian public servants serving from 1836 to 1839 are listed in “Historical Records of Victoria” Volume 1 "Beginnings of Permanent Government" and Volume 7 "Public Finance of Port Phillip 1836-1840". Edited by Michael Cannon. These books are indexed. They are not online but may be found in local libraries.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE - PORT PHILLIP DISTRICT EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS 1841-1853 (VPRS 29)
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS29
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - INDEX TO (1) CIVIL SERVANTS NAMED IN VPRS 29 PORT PHILLIP EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS 1841-1851; (2) INDEX TO VPRS 30, CRIMINAL TRIAL BRIEFS 1841-1853; (3) VPRS 264 CAPITAL CASE FILES AND VPRS 1100 CAPITAL SENTENCE FILES, 1852-1956. (VPRS 4325)
This is a card index which has been microfilmed. It is not online.
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS4325
In 1851 Victoria separated from New South Wales and became the Colony of Victoria; it had previously been the Port Phillip District of the Colony of New South Wales. In 1901 with the federation of Australia, the Colony of Victoria became the State of Victoria. The Victorian Colonial Government’s responsibilities included everything now looked after by the Australian Federal Government and Victorian State Government. The type of occupational records that are likely to be found at the colonial level include:
Public servant lists are included under 'Civil Establishment' and 'Pensions'.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - BLUE BOOKS AND STATISTICS 1851-1916 (VPRS 943)
The years 1851 to 1854 have been digitized. These are statistical returns from government departments.
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS943
ANCESTRY - VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, SELECTED TRIAL BRIEF AND CORRESPONDENCE REGISTERS AND OTHER IMAGES, 1837-1993
This includes Blue Books 1851-1855. These records are not indexed but can be browsed by description and range. They are provided by Public Record Office Victoria.
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=60672
VICTORIAN PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS DATABASE - STATISTICS OF THE COLONY 1856-1862
These are known as "Blue Books". Public servant lists are included under 'Civil Establishment'.
VICTORIAN PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS DATABASE - CIVIL ESTABLISHMENT OF VICTORIA 1863-1867
VICTORIAN PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS DATABASE - STATISTICAL REGISTER OF VICTORIA 1868-1916
These are known as "Blue Books". Public servant lists are included under 'Civil Establishment'.
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA GENEALOGICAL INDEX OF NAMES (GIN) - STATISTICS OF THE COLONY OF VICTORIA FOR THE YEAR 1856: CIVIL ESTABLISHMENT
https://www.gsv.org.au/article/our-collection
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA GENEALOGICAL INDEX OF NAMES (GIN) - STATISTICS OF THE COLONY OF VICTORIA FOR THE YEAR 1859: CIVIL ESTABLISHMENT
https://www.gsv.org.au/article/our-collection
VICTORIAN PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS DATABASE - PUBLIC SERVANT LISTS 1857-1884
The Victorian Parliamentary Papers are searchable. While some peoples' names have been indexed and are searchable this does not include every mention.
Civil Service 1856-1857
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1856-57NoC48.pdf
Public Works Department Officers 1878
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1878NoC10.pdf
Officers of Railways and Public Works Departments 1878
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1878NoC2A.pdf
Discharged and Appointed Officials 1879
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1879-80NoA7(LC).pdf
Government Appointments 1880
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1880-81NoC16.pdf
Civil Service Act - Appointments, Etc., Under 1881.
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1881NoA1(LC).pdf
Public Departments - Persons Employed In, and Promoted Since 1st July 1881.
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1882-83NoC14.pdf
Public Departments - Persons Employed In, and Promoted Since 8th March 1883.
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1884NoC5.pdf
Appointments in the Public Departments 1883
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1883-2ndSessionNoC3.pdf
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA GENEALOGICAL INDEX OF NAMES (GIN) - VICTORIAN PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS
The following records have been indexed into the Genealogical Society of Victoria's Genealogical Index of Names (GIN) Database.
https://www.gsv.org.au/article/our-collection
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT GAZETTES - PUBLIC SERVICE LISTS 1862-1883
There is a public service list published in the Victorian Government Gazette 10 September 1862. Public service lists were then published in January each year until 1883. These are a classified list of officers of the public service; they do not include everyone employed in the public service. They also do not include police, teachers and railway workers.
Appointments and employment including promotions, transfers, dismissals, resignations and retirements of public servants can also be seen. Dispensations granted to public servants are also listed.
Lists of public service candidates and those who have passed their examinations are also included in the Victorian Government Gazettes.
See Victorian Government Gazettes.
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT GAZETTES - PUBLIC SERVICE LISTS 1884-1975
There were public service lists published in the Victorian Government Gazette on 31 January 1884, 3 September 1884, 31 January 1885, 31 January 1888 and 31 January 1889. There was a public service list published in the Victorian Government Gazette in January 1891. Public service lists were then published in January each year until 1975; this was usually about 31 January. They do not include police, teachers or railway workers.
Appointments and employment including promotions, transfers, dismissals, resignations and retirements of public servants can also be seen. Dispensations granted to public servants are also listed.
Lists of public service candidates and those who have passed their examinations are also included in the Victorian Government Gazettes.
See Victorian Government Gazettes.
THE ARGUS 1885 - VICTORIAN PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD RETURN
A Victorian Public Service Board Return was published in The Argus 2 February 1885 page 9. This gives the names of all persons employed in the service on 31st December 1884 (exclusive of teachers in the Education Department and railway employees). It does not appear to include army officers, navy officers and police officers.
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT GAZETTES - DEPUTY REGISTRARS OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES 1853-1901
The appointment of Deputy Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages appear in the Victorian Government Gazettes.
See Victorian Government Gazettes.
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT GAZETTES - ELECTORAL REGISTRARS 1856-1901
The appointment of Electoral Registrars appear in the Victorian Government Gazettes.
See Victorian Government Gazettes.
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT GAZETTES - MINING REGISTRARS 1861-1901
The appointment of Mining Registrars appear in the Victorian Government Gazettes.
See Victorian Government Gazettes.
ARCHIVAL ACCESS VICTORIA - BEECHWORTH ASYLUM STAFF REGISTER 1867-1966
This database contains over 6,000 names of individuals who were employed at the Beechworth Asylum between 1867 when the asylum opened and 1966. A digital image can then be accessed linked to the name.
https://datastudio.google.com/reporting/ece41169-8f0b-481d-bf76-31ce16013930/page/xxtWC
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA GENEALOGICAL INDEX OF NAMES (GIN) - VICTORIAN PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS
The following records have been indexed into the Genealogical Society of Victoria's Genealogical Index of Names (GIN) Database.
https://www.gsv.org.au/article/our-collection
ARCHIVAL ACCESS VICTORIA - INDEX TO EMPLOYEE REGISTER (PORTS AND HARBOURS) (VPRS 10979 UNIT 1) 1892-1921
This is an index to the Employee Register for the Ports and Harbours Branch. The page number can be used to access the full staff record at Public Record Office Victoria.
https://datastudio.google.com/reporting/350d2b4e-4d47-4973-9694-90661db2e75b
INDEX: VICTORIAN POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT STAFF WHO COMMENCED DUTY BETWEEN 1839 AND 1901 COMPLIED BY JOHN F WAGHORN.
This is not online.
POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH STAFF IN VICTORIA. APPOINTMENTS PRIOR TO 1901: INDEX TO DATES OF RESIGNATION AND DEATH FROM TREASURY REGISTER CRS A 2901 (AUSTRALIAN ARCHIVES-CANBERRA) COMPLIED AND PRINTED BY JOHN F WAGHORN.
This is not online.
INDEX: DEPUTY REGISTRARS OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES IN VICTORIA 1853-1901 BY JOHN F WAGHORN (BOOK)
This is not online.
GEELONG AND DISTRICT WEBSITE - INDEX: DEPUTY REGISTRARS OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES IN VICTORIA 1853-1901 BY JOHN F WAGHORN
They have been extracted from "Index: Deputy Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Victoria 1853-1901", by John F Waghorn. Records originally appeared in the Victoria Government Gazette. They have been indexed into the Geelong and District Database.
http://zades.com.au/gandd/index.php/databases/potpourri/ppindexes
INDEX: ELECTORAL REGISTRARS OF VICTORIA 1856 TO 1901 COMPILED AND PRINTED BY JOHN F WAGHORN (BOOK)
This is not online.
GEELONG AND DISTRICT WEBSITE - GEELONG DISTRICT: INDEX: ELECTORAL REGISTRARS OF VICTORIA 1856 TO 1901 COMPILED AND PRINTED BY JOHN F WAGHORN
They have been extracted from "Index: Electoral Registrars of Victoria 1856 to 1901" by John F Waghorn. Records originally appeared in the Victoria Government Gazette. They have been indexed into the Geelong and District Database.
http://zades.com.au/gandd/index.php/databases/potpourri/ppindexes
INDEX: MINING REGISTRARS OF VICTORIA 1861-1901 COMPILED AND PRINTED BY JOHN F WAGHORN (BOOK)
This is not online.
In 1901 with the federation of Australia, the Colony of Victoria became the State of Victoria. The State Government is the middle level of government in Victoria. The responsibilities of the Victorian Colonial Government which were kept by the State of Victoria include everything unrelated to external powers. The responsibilities of the Victorian State Government include education, railways, tramways and police. Some of these services have been privatized over the years such as the railways and tramways. The type of occupational records that are likely to be found at the state level include:
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - BLUE BOOKS AND STATISTICS 1851-1916 (VPRS 943)
This is not online for the time period 1901-1916.
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS943
VICTORIAN PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS DATABASE - STATISTICAL REGISTER OF VICTORIA 1868-1916
These are known as "Blue Books". Public servant lists are included under 'Civil Establishment'.
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT GAZETTES - PUBLIC SERVICE LISTS 1901-1975
There was a public service list published in the Victorian Government Gazette in January 1901. Public service lists were then published in January each year until 1975; this was usually about 31 January. They do not include police, teachers or railway workers.
Appointments and employment including promotions, transfers, dismissals, resignations and retirements of public servants can also be seen. Dispensations granted to public servants are also listed.
Lists of public service candidates and those who have passed their examinations are also included in the Victorian Government Gazettes.
See Victorian Government Gazettes.
STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA - PUBLIC SERVICE RECORDS 1975-1989
These include lists of officers in the Public Service and a return of the number of persons temporarily employed by the Public Service Board of Victoria. These are not online. See Resources.
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT GAZETTES - DEPUTY REGISTRARS OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES 1901-PRESENT
The appointment of Deputy Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages appear in the Victorian Government Gazettes.
See Victorian Government Gazettes.
ARCHIVAL ACCESS VICTORIA - BEECHWORTH ASYLUM STAFF REGISTER 1867-1966
This database contains over 6,000 names of individuals who were employed at the Beechworth Asylum between 1867 when the asylum opened and 1966. A digital image can then be accessed linked to the name.
https://datastudio.google.com/reporting/ece41169-8f0b-481d-bf76-31ce16013930/page/xxtWC
ARCHIVAL ACCESS VICTORIA - INDEX TO EMPLOYEE REGISTER (PORTS AND HARBOURS) (VPRS 10979 UNIT 1) 1892-1921
This is an index to the Employee Register for the Ports and Harbours Branch. The page number can be used to access the full staff record at Public Record Office Victoria.
https://datastudio.google.com/reporting/350d2b4e-4d47-4973-9694-90661db2e75b
AUSTRALIAN MILITARY MEMORIALS AND RECORDS
This website aids in finding World War 1 Australian veteran information. It includes a number of digitized books: the All Australia Memorial Book, Victorian Edition, the Education Department's Record of War Services, Some of Australia's Fighting Families, Australian Jewry Book of Honour, and the National Bank of Australasia Ltd. Record of War Service of Bank and Staff 1914-1919.
https://australianmilitarymemorialsandrecords.com/
FINDMYPAST - EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAR SERVICE
This includes short biographies and photographs of most of the 752 people employed by the Education Department who served in World War 1. It also mentions people employed by the Education Department whose sons or brothers died on service as well as those who volunteered and were rejected (mostly on medical grounds).
https://search.findmypast.com.au/search-world-Records/education-department-war-service
VICTORIAN STATE GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE ACTION - FALLEN PERSONNEL MEMORIAL
The Fallen Personnel Memorial honours the people who have lost their lives while working for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and predecessor organisations.
https://www.deeca.vic.gov.au/fallen-personnel-memorial
STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA - THE JOURNAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OF VICTORIA 1902-1955
https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/journal-department-agriculture-victoria
The country of Australia came into existence in 1901 with the federation of the Australian colonies including Victoria. The Federal Government is the top level of government in Victoria. The Federal Government took over the external powers of the colonies. The responsibilities of the Australian Federal Government include defence, immigration, postal, telegraph and telephone services, taxation and intelligence services. Some of these services have been privatized over the years such as telephone services. The type of occupational records that are likely to be found at the federal level include:
COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT GAZETTES - PUBLIC SERVICE LISTS 1906-PRESENT
From 1906 public service lists were published in the Commonwealth Government Gazette annually.
Appointments and employment including promotions, transfers, dismissals, resignations and retirements of federal public servants may also be seen. Dispensations granted to public servants are also listed.
Lists of public service candidates and those who have passed their examinations may be seen in Commonwealth Government Gazettes.
See Commonwealth Government Gazettes.
ANCESTRY - AUSTRALIA, COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC SERVICE LISTS 1904, 1920
This is the 1904 and 1920 publications list of permanent officers of the Commonwealth Public Service.
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=60797
FINDMYPAST - COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC SERVICE LIST 1904, 1920
This is the 1904 and 1920 publications list of permanent officers of the Commonwealth Public Service.
https://search.findmypast.com.au/search-world-Records/commonwealth-public-service-list
MYHERITAGE - COMMONWEALTH PUBLIC SERVICE LIST 1920
This list of permanent officers of the Commonwealth Public Service as on 30th June 1920 gives details of over 22,000 people employed throughout Australia.
STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA - FINDING YOUR ANCESTORS' OCCUPATIONS: PUBLIC SERVANTS
This lists resources held by the state library relating to public servants.
https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/c.php?g=435343&p=6871311
If you have questions or problems with this site, email the Web Administrator.