Victorian Genealogy

Finding People and Places in Victoria, Australia.

 


Parliaments

 

Also see Governors and Governors-General.

Also see Members of Parliament and Senators.

Also see Electoral Rolls.

 

OVERVIEW

A parliamentary paper is a document from the working of the executive government which has been tabled in a parliament. They include:

Parliamentary petitions may be from individuals, occupational groups, residents, church congregations, ratepayers and local councils. Petitions usually include signatures and addresses.

 

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

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.

 

WEBSITE

 

UNITED KINGDOM PARLIAMENT

https://www.parliament.uk/

 

LEGISLATION

 

LEGISLATION.GOV.UK 1267-PRESENT

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/

 

PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS

United Kingdom Parliamentary Papers 1801-2003/4 are available through Proquest with a State Library of Victoria membership card. They include House of Commons sessional papers which are full page searchable images.

https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/

 

NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT

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. Representative government began in New South Wales in 1842 and the Port Phillip District sent elected representatives to the Legislative Council in Sydney. In 1851 Victoria separated from New South Wales.

 

WEBSITE

 

PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Pages/home.aspx

 

LEGISLATION

 

AUSTRALASIAN LEGAL INFORMATION INSTITUTE - NEW SOUTH WALES LEGISLATION

This includes New South Wales Acts As Made from 1824 to the present.

https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/nsw/#

 

PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS

The First Legislative Council archive contains documents from 1824 to 1855. It includes tabled papers, Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reports of debates, and documents relating to the administration of the First Council (classified as "non-tabled papers"). These have been indexed by document type and date.

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/hansard/pages/first-council.aspx

There is a comprehensive index to all parliamentary documents available online. This page contains links to all New South Wales Hansard, House Papers and Tabled Papers which are available online, including indexes to those records. Reports of debates prior to 1880 are currently unavailable online.

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/hansard/Pages/Comprehensive-index-to-all-parliamentary-document.aspx

 

VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT

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.

 

WEBSITE

 

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA

https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/

 

LEGISLATION

 

AUSTRALASIAN LEGAL INFORMATION INSTITUTE - VICTORIAN LEGISLATION

This includes Victorian Historical Acts from 1851 to 1995.

https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/vic/#

 

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA - BILLS AND LEGISLATION

https://new.parliament.vic.gov.au/parliamentary-activity/bills-and-legislation/

 

HANSARD

 

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA - HANSARD 1991-PRESENT

These are records of parliamentary debates.

https://new.parliament.vic.gov.au/hansard

 

PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS


PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA - PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS 1851-2013

The Victorian Parliamentary Papers are searchable. While some peoples' names have been indexed and are searchable this does not include every mention.

https://pov.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_GB/parl_paper/


PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA - TABLED DOCUMENTS DATABASE 2012-PRESENT

https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/tabled-documents/search-tabled-documents-database

 

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

 

FAMILY HISTORY CONNECTIONS - VICTORIA PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS INDEX 1852-1899

This is searchable online at the Family History Connections website. For members only.

https://familyhistory.asn.au/layout.php?mod=aigsindexes&i=5


FINDMYPAST - VICTORIA PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS INDEX 1852-1899

The Victorian Parliamentary Papers have been indexed by the Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies (now Family History Connections). The index is searchable.

https://search.findmypast.com.au/search-world-Records/victoria-parliamentary-papers-1852-1899

 

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - PERFORMANCE AND ASSURANCE AUDIT REPORTS TO PARLIAMENT 1983-2017 (VPRS 18552)

This series consists of performance audit reports. A performance audit evaluates whether an organisation or government program is performing economically, efficiently and in compliance with all relevant legislation. These audit reports are the final records of the audit detailing all findings and recommendations. They are tabled in Parliament and are used to highlight any issues of significance to the community and recommend change. These reports have been digitized.

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS18552

 

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - STATE FINANCES AND FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORTS TO PARLIAMENT 1956-2017 (VPRS 18553)

This series consists of financial audit reports to Parliament, either on the financial position of the State of Victoria or of other public sector entities. The records provide assurance that the financial statements of the government present fairly for the year in accordance with relevant financial reporting frameworks and standards. These reports have been digitized.

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS18553

 

PARLIAMENTARY PETITIONS

 

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - ORIGINAL PAPERS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 1856-2014 (VPRS 3253)

This series comprises the original documents tabled in the Legislative Assembly. Original papers tabled include reports, petitions, returns, messages, division lists, writs, evidence and estimates. These include annual reports of departments of state or statutory authorities required to submit their reports under the Annual Reporting Act; or the reports of other public bodies required under specific Acts to table their reports. Originals of both published and unpublished papers are included in the series.

Petitions usually include signatures and addresses. Petitions may be from individuals, occupational groups, residents, church congregations, ratepayers and local councils. Petitioners and the subject of the petition may be searchable through the catalogue.

https://prov.vic.gov.au/

 

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

 

TROVE - THE 1853 BENDIGO GOLDFIELDS PETITION

The petition articulated the gold diggers' grievances and made a number of demands, including a reduced licence fee, improved law and order, the right to vote and the right to buy land. The petition was signed by diggers at Bendigo, Ballarat, Castlemaine, McIvor (Heathcote), Mount Alexander (Stawell) and other diggings. Those from Heathcote were lost in a gold escort robbery.

https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040511051513/http://www.statelibrary.vic.gov.au/slv/exhibitions/goldfields/petition/pet_name.htm

 

BENDIGO FAMILY HISTORY GROUP - WHITE HILLS HAMLETS PETITION 1856 (INTERNET ARCHIVE WAYBACK MACHINE)

This petition was signed by the inhabitants of the White Hill Hamlets, Epsom, Huntly and adjacent districts requesting the Governor that their area be proclaimed a separate Municipal District. This snapshot is dated 6 May 2021.

https://web.archive.org/web/20210506150322/https://www.bendigofamilyhistory.org/freeindexsearch.htm


WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE PETITION 1891

In an effort to gain the right to vote for all Victorian women, a handful of dedicated women took to the streets in 1891 to collect signatures for a petition to present to the Parliament of Victoria. The result was an impressive collection of close to 30,000 signatures from women from all walks of life. This is searchable.

https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-history-of-parliament/womens-suffrage-petition

 

LOYAL ADDRESS

 

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA GENEALOGICAL INDEX OF NAMES (GIN) - VICTORIAN PIONEERS WHO SIGNED THE LOYAL ADDRESS TO THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IN 1867.

This includes the names of 980 colonists who arrived prior to 1843, and date of arrival. Digital copy at GSV premises.

https://www.gsv.org.au/article/our-collection

 

ROYAL COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS OF INQUIRY

A Royal Commission is a formal independent public inquiry instigated by the Commonwealth Government or by a State Government.

 

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - ROYAL COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS OF INQUIRY

They hold many record series created by Victorian Royal Commissions, some joint Royal Commissions (with the Commonwealth and/or other states) and Boards of Inquiry dating from mid nineteenth century to the present. The more recent Royal Commissions are digitised.

https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/justice-crime-and-law/royal-commissions-and-boards-inquiry


AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT

The colony of Victoria joined the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901 becoming the state of Victoria.

 

WEBSITE

 

PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA

https://www.aph.gov.au/

 

LEGISLATION

 

AUSTRALASIAN LEGAL INFORMATION INSTITUTE - COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA LEGISLATION

https://www.austlii.edu.au/databases.html#

 

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT - FEDERAL REGISTER OF LEGISLATION

https://www.legislation.gov.au/

 

HANSARD

 

PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA - HOUSE HANSARD 1901-PRESENT

These are records of parliamentary debates.

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansreps_2011

 

PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS

 

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA - PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS

The following is Fact Sheet 21 from the National Archives of Australia.

https://www.naa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/fs-21-Parliamentary-Papers.pdf

 

PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA - TABLED PAPERS 1901-PRESENT

Tabled papers include documents and artefacts presented to Parliament in the course of its proceedings.

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Chamber_documents/Tabled_Papers

 

PARLIAMENTARY PETITIONS

 

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA - ABORIGINAL PETITIONS

The following is Fact Sheet 268 from the National Archives of Australia.

https://www.naa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/fs-268-aboriginal-petitions.pdf

 

REFERENDUMS AND PLEBISCITES

 

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA - THE 1967 REFERENDUM

The second question in the 1967 Referendum was to determine whether two references in the Australian Constitution, which discriminated against Aboriginal people, should be removed. The following is Fact Sheet 150 from the National Archives of Australia. It relates to the second question.

https://www.naa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/fs-150-the-1967-referendum.pdf

 

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA - CONSCRIPTION REFERENDUMS 1916 AND 1917

The following is Fact Sheet 161 from the National Archives of Australia.

https://www.naa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/fs-161-conscription-referendums-1916-and-1917.pdf

 
ROYAL COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS OF INQUIRY

A Royal Commission is a formal independent public inquiry instigated by the Commonwealth Government or by a State Government. Royal Commissions by the Commonwealth Government were enabled by the Royal Commissions Act 1902.

 

AUSTRALASIAN LEGAL INFORMATION INSTITUTE - AUSTRALIAN ROYAL COMMISSIONS 1902-PRESENT

https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdb/au/other/cth/AURoyalC/

 

AUSTRALASIAN LEGAL INFORMATION INSTITUTE - AUSTRALIAN BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS OF PUBLIC INQUIRY 1906-PRESENT

https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdb/au/other/cth/AUBCPubInq/

 

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA - ROYAL COMMISSION ON TELEVISION, 1953-1954

The following is Fact Sheet 115 from the National Archives of Australia.

https://www.naa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/fs-115-introducing-television-to-australia-1956.pdf

 

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA - ROYAL COMMISSION ON ESPIONAGE, 1954-1955

The following is Fact Sheet 130 from the National Archives of Australia.

https://www.naa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/fs-130-the_royal_commission_on_espionage_1954-55.pdf

 

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA - ROYAL COMMISSION ON INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY, 1974-1977

The following is Fact Sheet 262 from the National Archives of Australia.

https://www.naa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/fs-262-royal-commission-on-intelligence-and-security.pdf

 

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA - ROYAL COMMISSION INTO ABORIGINAL DEATHS IN CUSTODY, 1987-1991

The following is Fact Sheet 112 from the National Archives of Australia.

https://www.naa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/fs-112-royal-commission-into-aboriginal-deaths-in-custody.pdf

 

BOOK

 

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA - ABORIGINAL DEATHS IN CUSTODY: THE ROYAL COMMISSION AND ITS RECORDS 1987-91 BY PETER NAGLE AND RICHARD SUMMERRELL, REVISED 2002.

This guide is the only comprehensive listing of the huge volume of records created by the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

https://www.naa.gov.au/help-your-research/research-guides/aboriginal-deaths-custody-royal-commission-and-its-records

 

 

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