Victorian Genealogy
Finding People and Places in Victoria, Australia.
Also see Governors and Governors-General.
Also see Public Servants.
Victoria was a British colony from 1851 to 1901. From 1788 to 1851 it was part of the British colony of New South Wales. In 1901 the colony of Victoria joined the Commonwealth of Australia and became the state of Victoria.
British Government records that have been archived are held by the National Archives.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Scottish Government records that have been archived are held by the National Records of Scotland.
https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/
Northern Irish Government records that have been archived are held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/public-record-office-northern-ireland-proni
Irish Government records that have been archived are held by the National Archives of Ireland.
https://www.nationalarchives.ie/
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA - AUSTRALIAN JOINT COPYING PROJECT
The Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP) is a collection of unique historical material relating to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific dating from 1560 to 1984.
Records filmed by the AJCP include a diverse range of material from UK Government Departments such as the Admiralty, Home Office, Colonial Office, the Dominions Office held by the National Archives of the United Kingdom and County Record Offices as well as personal archives and manuscripts of leading politicians, explorers, scientists, religious and missionary societies, convicts and businesses held by private organisations or individuals.
https://www.library.gov.au/research/access-collection/australian-joint-copying-project-ajcp
The Australian Joint Copying Project is searchable through Trove.
TROVE - DIARIES, LETTERS, ARCHIVES
This includes:
To find these using keywords: use the pulldown menu to do a specific search for "Diaries, Letters, Archives".
Victoria was part of the colony of New South Wales from 1788 to 1851. There were two failed attempts at settlement; these were in 1803-1804 and 1826-1828. Victoria was the Port Phillip District of the Colony of New South Wales from 1836 to 1851. In 1851 Victoria separated from New South Wales.
New South Wales Government records that have been archived are held by Museums of History New South Wales, State Archives.
https://mhnsw.au/collections/state-archives-collection/
FAMILYSEARCH - NEW SOUTH WALES, COLONIAL SECRETARY, PAPERS, 1791-1849
Convict ship musters and other papers, not in chronological order. Original records were at the Library of New South Wales, Sydney.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/80445?availability=Family%20History%20Library
FAMILYSEARCH - NEW SOUTH WALES, COLONIAL SECRETARY, LETTERS RECEIVED, 1801-1834
Petitions and muster rolls from New South Wales, Parramatta, and Norfolk Island. Mostly from 1826-1833. Original records were at the Library of New South Wales, Sydney.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/80456?availability=Family%20History%20Library
FAMILYSEARCH - NEW SOUTH WALES, COLONIAL SECRETARY, LETTERS SENT, 1809-1850
Letters to individuals and organizations. Most volumes have indexes. Original records were at the Library of New South Wales, Sydney.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/80515?availability=Family%20History%20Library
FAMILYSEARCH - NEW SOUTH WALES, COLONIAL SECRETARY, LETTERS SENT, 1811-1908
This includes letters sent to judicial establishments in New South Wales which may pertain to convict matters as well as appointments to political office. Original records were held at the Library of New South Wales, Sydney.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/80697?availability=Family%20History%20Library
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
FAMILYSEARCH - NEW SOUTH WALES, COLONIAL SECRETARY, COPIES OF LETTERS SENT OUTSIDE THE COLONY 1823-1831
Correspondence from the Colonial Secretary at Sydney to government officials outside the colony of New South Wales, particulary in Van Diemen's Land, with respect to prisoners. Original records were at the Library of New South Wales, Sydney.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/80357?availability=Family%20History%20Library
FAMILYSEARCH - NEW SOUTH WALES, COLONIAL SECRETARY, INDEX TO REGISTERS OF LETTERS RECEIVED 1826-1900
Original records were at the Public Library of New South Wales, Sydney.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/246577?availability=Family%20History%20Library
FAMILYSEARCH - NEW SOUTH WALES, COLONIAL SECRETARY, CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING PRISONERS, 1840-1856
Correspondence of the Colonial Secretary of New South Wales respecting prisoners in New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land and elsewhere in Australia and New Zealand. Original records were at the Library of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/80376?availability=Family%20History%20Library
MUSEUMS OF HISTORY NEW SOUTH WALES, STATE ARCHIVES COLLECTION - NEW SOUTH WALES, COLONIAL SECRETARY'S PAPERS, INDEX 1788-1825
These are arranged by name and subject. The papers include:
https://mhnsw.au/indexes/colonial-secretary/colonial-secretarys-papers-1788-1825/
MUSEUMS OF HISTORY NEW SOUTH WALES, STATE ARCHIVES COLLECTION - NEW SOUTH WALES, COLONIAL SECRETARY, LETTERS RECEIVED, INDEX 1826-1896
https://mhnsw.au/indexes/colonial-secretary/colonial-secretary-letters-received-1826-1896/
MUSEUMS OF HISTORY NEW SOUTH WALES, STATE ARCHIVES COLLECTION - NEW SOUTH WALES, COLONIAL SECRETARY, LETTERS RECEIVED, INDEX 1826-1982
This is not a name index to letters but a subject listing of bundles. The letters in this series are numerically arranged by number in the years 1826-1832 and 1850-1982. Between 1833 and 1849 the letters are arranged in writer/ subject bundles.
https://mhnsw.au/indexes/colonial-secretary/colonial-secretarys-main-series-of-letters-received/
MUSEUMS OF HISTORY NEW SOUTH WALES, STATE ARCHIVES COLLECTION - NEW SOUTH WALES, COLONIAL SECRETARY, LETTERS RELATING TO LAND, INDEX 1826-1856
This index covers requests from individuals for land - leases and purchases - received by the Colonial Secretary's office between 1826 and 1856.
https://mhnsw.au/indexes/land/colonial-secretarys-letters-re-land/
ANCESTRY - NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA, RETURNS OF THE COLONY, 1822-1857
These are provided in association with State Records Authority of NSW. They may be browsed and they are searchable.
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=1737
ANCESTRY - NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA, COLONIAL SECRETARY'S PAPERS, 1788-1856
These are provided in association with State Records Authority of NSW. These letters may be browsed and they are searchable.
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=1905
ANCESTRY - NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA, COLONIAL SECRETARY'S LETTERS, 1826-1856
These are provided in association with State Records Authority of NSW. These letters may be browsed and they are searchable.
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=61481
ANCESTRY - NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA, MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS, 1787-1976
These are provided in association with State Records Authority of NSW. They may be browsed and they are searchable.
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=8822
MYHERITAGE - AUSTRALIA, NEW SOUTH WALES COLONIAL SECRETARY'S PAPERS 1788-1825
This collection contains records of Colonial Secretary's Papers from New South Wales, Australia between the years 1788 and 1825. Records typically include the name of the individual, the date of arrival, the name of the ship, and additional events date and description. They are searchable.
https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20449/australia-new-south-wales-colonial-secretarys-papers-1788-1825?s=833891551/?utm_source=partner_Victoriangenealogy&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=Victoriangenealogy_sep23_textlink&tr_ad_group=textlinks&tr_funnel=supersearch
Victoria was the Port Phillip District of the Colony of New South Wales from 1836 to 1851; it had been part of the colony of New South Wales from 1788. In 1851 Victoria separated from New South Wales.
Port Phillip Government records that have been archived may be held by Museums of History New South Wales, State Archives
https://mhnsw.au/collections/state-archives-collection/
or Public Record Office Victoria.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - OUTWARD LETTER BOOKS, POLICE MAGISTRATE, PORT PHILLIP DISTRICT 1836-1840 (VPRS 1)
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS1
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - CONFIDENTIAL DESPATCHES TO GOVERNOR BOURKE, POLICE MAGISTRATE, PORT PHILLIP DISTRICT 1836-1837 (VPRS 2)
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS2
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - DUPLICATED RETURNS AND REQUISITIONS, POLICE MAGISTRATE, PORT PHILLIP DISTRICT 1836-1839 (VPRS 5517 P1)
This is not online.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - INWARD CORRESPONDENCE, SUPERINTENDENT OF PORT PHILLIP DISTRICT 1839-1851 (VPRS 19)
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS19
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS OUTWARD LETTER BOOK 1839-1840 (PART OF VPRS 9)
This has been digitized.
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS9
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE, SUPERINTENDENT OF PORT PHILLIP DISTRICT, 1842-1843 (VPRS 20)
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS20
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - OUTWARD LETTER BOOKS, SURVEYOR-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT, PORT PHILLIP DISTRICT BRANCH 1836-1856 (VPRS 6)
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS6
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE - PORT PHILLIP DISTRICT EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS 1841-1853 (VPRS 29)
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS29
ANCESTRY - VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, SELECTED TRIAL BRIEF AND CORRESPONDENCE REGISTERS AND OTHER IMAGES, 1837-1993
These are provided by Public Record Office Victoria. These records are not indexed but can be browsed by description and range. They include:
Bourke Court Of Petty Sessions Deposition Book includes Melbourne Courts Letter Book - Letters Outward 1843-1852 (VPRS 50).
Gisborne Police Station Letter and Report Book includes Commissioner of Crown Lands, Outward Letter Book 1839-1840 (Part of VPRS 9).
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=60672
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - IMMIGRATION BRANCH, OUTWARD LETTER BOOKS 1849-1851 (VPRS 117)
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS117
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 part of the colony of New South Wales from 1788. Victoria was the Port Phillip District of the Colony of New South Wales from 1836 to 1851. The colony of Victoria existed from 1851 until it joined the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. It then became the state of Victoria.
Victorian Government records that have been archived are held by Public Record Office Victoria.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - OUTWARD LETTER BOOKS, SURVEYOR-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT, PORT PHILLIP BRANCH 1836-1856 (VPRS 6)
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS6
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE - PORT PHILLIP DISTRICT EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS 1841-1853 (VPRS 29)
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS29
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE - 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
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - DEPARTMENT OF CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY, INDEX TO INWARD REGISTERED CORRESPONDENCE 1856-1876 (VPRS 5522)
This has been digitized.
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS5522
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - DEPARTMENT OF CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY, ALPHABETICAL REGISTERS OF INWARDS CORRESPONDENCE 1876-1896 (VPRS 166)
This has been digitized.
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS166
ANCESTRY - VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, SELECTED TRIAL BRIEF AND CORRESPONDENCE REGISTERS AND OTHER IMAGES, 1837-1993
These are provided by Public Record Office Victoria. These records are not indexed but can be browsed by description and range. They include:
Bourke Court Of Petty Sessions Deposition Book includes Melbourne Courts Letter Book - Letters Outward 1843-1852 (VPRS 50).
Castlemaine Prison Police Magistrate's Register includes
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=60672
The colony of Victoria joined the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901 becoming the state of Victoria.
Australian Government records that have been archived are held by National Archives of Australia.
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