Victorian Genealogy
Finding People and Places in Victoria, Australia.
For other baptism/ christening or birth register records other than early baptism or birth register records 1803-1853 see Religious Records.
Birth dates may be given in pupil registers. See Schools.
Birth dates may be given in occupational records. See Occupations.
Birth dates may be given in some travel records. See Passenger Arrivals and Passenger Departures.
The baptism records for the Sullivan Bay settlement at Sorrento in 1803 to 1804 are included in Tasmanian records.
LIBRARIES TASMANIA, TASMANIAN NAMES INDEX - VICTORIAN BAPTISM RECORDS 1803-1804
The baptism records for the Sullivan Bay settlement at Sorrento in 1803 to 1804 can be viewed online at the Tasmanian Names Index at the Libraries Tasmania website.
https://librariestas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/names/
FAMILYSEARCH - AUSTRALIA, TASMANIA, CIVIL REGISTRATION 1803-1933
Civil registration of baptisms, births, marriages, deaths, and burials in Tasmania, Australia. Original records are kept in the Archives Office of Tasmania in Hobart, Australia.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/2125029
ANCESTRY - AUSTRALIA, BIRTH INDEX, 1788-1922
This includes births in Tasmania from 1803 to 1910.
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=1778
FINDMYPAST - TASMANIA BIRTHS 1803-1933
Tasmania Births 1803-1933 comprises birth records held by the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office. This collection includes both transcripts and images of the original birth registers themselves. Before official registration began in Tasmania in 1838, the only records of births, deaths and marriages were church registers.
https://search.findmypast.com.au/search-world-records/tasmania-births-1803-1933
MYHERITAGE - AUSTRALIA, TASMANIA, BIRTHS 1803-1933
This collection contains birth records from Tasmania, Australia between the years 1803 and 1933. The records in this collection are sourced from Libraries Tasmania. They are searchable.
https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20233/australia-tasmania-births?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 until 1851. There was a convict settlement at Rhyll and Corinella from 1826 to 1828. The baptism or birth register records for Victoria until about 1847 are included in New South Wales records.
NEW SOUTH WALES REGISTRY OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES - VICTORIAN BAPTISM RECORDS 1788-c1847
The baptism or birth register records for Victoria until about 1847 may be obtained using the New South Wales Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages website. There is an index on the New South Wales Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages website.
https://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/Pages/family-history-research/family-history-research-nsw.aspx
ANCESTRY - AUSTRALIA, BIRTH INDEX, 1788-1922
This includes births in New South Wales from 1788 to 1910 and births in Victoria from 1836 to 1910.
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=1778
FINDMYPAST - NEW SOUTH WALES BIRTHS 1788-1914
https://search.findmypast.com.au/search-world-Records/new-south-wales-births
MYHERITAGE - AUSTRALIA, NEW SOUTH WALES BIRTH INDEX 1787-1916
BIRTHS DEATHS MARRIAGES VICTORIA - BAPTISM/ BIRTH REGISTER RECORDS 1836-1853
The baptism or birth register records from 1836 to 1853 are lodged with Births Deaths Marriages Victoria. Baptism or birth register records for this period may be downloaded from the Births Deaths Marriages Victoria website. There is an index on the Births Deaths Marriages Victoria website.
https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/search-your-family-history
ANCESTRY - AUSTRALIA, BIRTH INDEX, 1788-1922
This includes births in New South Wales from 1788 to 1910 and births in Victoria from 1836 to 1910.
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=1778
ANCESTRY - VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, BIRTH INDEX 1837-1921
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=61648
FINDMYPAST - VICTORIA BIRTHS 1836-1920
https://search.findmypast.com.au/search-world-Records/victoria-births
MYHERITAGE - AUSTRALIA, VICTORIA BIRTH INDEX 1837-1920
FAMILYSEARCH - AUSTRALIA, BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS 1792-1981
An index to records held by the Genealogical Society of Utah is searchable on their FamilySearch website. This has births and baptisms from New South Wales and Victoria. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1770729
ANCESTRY - AUSTRALIA, BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS, 1792-1981
These are sourced from FamilySearch. They include births and baptisms from New South Wales and Victoria. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed.
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=9776
FINDMYPAST - AUSTRALIA BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS 1792-1981
These are sourced from FamilySearch.
https://search.findmypast.com.au/search-world-Records/australia-births-and-baptisms-1792-1981
MYHERITAGE - AUSTRALIA, BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS, 1792-1981
Index to selected Australian births and baptisms. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed.
BIRTHS DEATHS MARRIAGES VICTORIA - BIRTH CERTIFICATES 1836-PRESENT
Birth registration began in 1853 in Victoria. Birth certificates can be obtained using the Births Deaths Marriages Victoria website. Historical birth certificates can be downloaded from the Births Deaths Marriages Victoria website; these are for births occurring more than a hundred years ago and where the person in question is deceased. There is an index on the Births Deaths Marriages Victoria website; this includes births occurring more than a hundred years ago.
https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/search-your-family-history
Places of birth may be included on this index for deaths registered from 1936.
FAMILYSEARCH - CERES DISTRICT BIRTH REGISTER 1863-1875
Original records in possession of the Geelong Historical Records Centre, Geelong.
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/154506?availability=Family%20History%20Library
ANCESTRY - AUSTRALIA, BIRTH INDEX, 1788-1922
This includes births in New South Wales from 1788 to 1910 and births in Victoria from 1836 to 1910.
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=1778
ANCESTRY - VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, BIRTH INDEX 1837-1921
The years 1918 to 1921 include full dates of birth.
https://search.ancestry.com.au/search/db.aspx?dbid=61648
FINDMYPAST - VICTORIA BIRTHS 1836-1920
https://search.findmypast.com.au/search-world-Records/victoria-births
MYHERITAGE - AUSTRALIA, VICTORIA BIRTH INDEX 1837-1920
Ship passenger lists may include list of births occurring onboard ship. See Passenger Arrivals and Passenger Departures.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA: AUSTRALIAN JOINT COPYING PROJECT - REGISTER OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS OF EMIGRANTS AT SEA 1847-1854 (CO386/170)
This register is in the series copied from the Colonial Office, Land and Emigration Commission (CO 386). The number of births per voyage is enumerated. The deaths of children who were born on the voyage is also enumerated. No names appear to be listed for the children who were born on the voyage or for the children who were born on the voyage and then subsequently died.
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-728379005
GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE, ENGLAND - MARINE REGISTER 1837-PRESENT
Records of births on British registered ships bound for Victoria had to be sent directly to the General Register Office and recorded in the Marine Register. Certificates can be obtained from the General Register Office. They are not online. An overseas index is held in various libraries and record offices, as well as online via specialist websites.
https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate
BMDREGISTERS - NON-CONFORMIST AND NON-PAROCHIAL BMDS SERVICE
This is a pay-to-view service for some of the records held by the National Archives in England. The record series include RG 32-36 and BT series. The non-parochial records include overseas birth, marriage and death registrations for British citizens and those on board ships. These date from 1627 to 1969. The index may be searched online.
FAMILYSEARCH - UNITED KINGDOM, MARITIME BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES 1787-1933
Maritime births, marriages, and deaths taken from various collections.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/1967749
ANCESTRY - UNITED KINGDOM, REGISTERS OF BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS AT SEA 1844-1890
These registers are from the National Archives in England. The record series include BT 153, BT 156-160, CO 386 and CUST 67. The original images may be viewed online. The records are searchable and may be browsed.
https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/60998/
FAMILYSEARCH - GREAT BRITAIN, BOARD OF TRADE, CIVIL REGISTRATION INDEX OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS OF PASSENGERS AND SEAMEN AT SEA, 1893-1972
https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog/1910620
ANCESTRY - UNITED KINGDOM, REGISTERS AND INDEXES OF BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS OF PASSENGERS AND SEAMEN AT SEA, 1891-1922 (BT 334)
This collection comprises records of births, marriages, and deaths of passengers and seamen while they were at sea. The records are dated between 1891 and 1922 and include information for British citizens and foreign-born passengers aboard British ships. Some records contain information about sailors who died while ashore. This is searchable and may be browsed.
https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/62598/
FINDMYPAST - BRITISH ARMED FORCES AND OVERSEAS BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS 1761-2005
These records are from the General Register Office and the National Archives in England (The National Archives records include BT 158). It is a collection of birth and baptism records of those born overseas and at sea. The collection holds birth records of children born to those working within the armed forces, merchant navy, and consular forces as well as civilian ship passengers. The records are transcriptions; some have attached images. They are searchable.
ANCESTRY - BREMEN, GERMANY, BIRTHS ON SHIPS (SEEMANNSAMT BREMEN, GEBURTSREGISTER), 1867-1911
This database contains records of children born on ships sailing from Bremen, Germany between 1867 and 1911. Ships may have included passenger, shipping, fishing or other vessels. The records are searchable and may be browsed.
https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/1272/
BIRTHS DEATHS MARRIAGES VICTORIA - MARINE BIRTH REGISTRATION 1853-PRESENT
Marine birth registration began in 1853 in Victoria. This is for births occurring on board international and coastal ships bound for Victoria. Marine birth certificates can be obtained from the Births Deaths Marriages Victoria website. Historical birth certificates can be downloaded from the Births Deaths Marriages Victoria website; these are for births occurring more than a hundred years ago and where the person in question is deceased. There is an index on the Births Deaths Marriages Victoria website; this is for marine births from 1853 to 1920.
https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/search-your-family-history
GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE, ENGLAND - AIRCRAFT REGISTER 1947-PRESENT
Records of births on British registered aircraft bound for Victoria had to be sent directly to the General Register Office and recorded in the Aircraft Register. Certificates can be obtained from the General Register Office. They are not online. An overseas index is held in various libraries and record offices, as well as online via specialist websites.
https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate
FINDMYPAST - BRITISH ARMED FORCES AND OVERSEAS BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS 1761-2005
These records are from the General Register Office and the National Archives in England. It is a collection of birth and baptism records of those born overseas and at sea. The collection holds birth records of children born to those working within the armed forces, merchant navy, and consular forces as well as civilian ship passengers. It also includes air births from 1947 to 1965. The records are transcriptions; some have attached images. They are searchable.
Birth notices may be found in the family notice sections of newspapers. See Newspapers, Magazines and Journals.
A stillbirth is where a baby is born dead. Stillbirths did not have to be registered in Victoria until 1953. Records relating to stillbirths can be obtained using the Public Record Office Victoria website. These records are closed under Section 9 and as they relate to children, they will not be released for 99 years after the creation of the records. An application under Freedom of Information may be made.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - STILLBIRTH REGISTER 1967-1997 (VPRS 11769)
This is not online. It should be noted that these records are closed under Section 9 and as they relate to children, they will not be released for 99 years after the creation of the records. An application under Freedom of Information can be made.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - NAME INDEX STILLBIRTH REGISTER c1953-1984 (VPRS 11768)
This is not online. It should be noted that these records are closed under Section 9 and as they relate to children, they will not be released for 99 years after the creation of the records. An application under Freedom of Information can be made.
Since 1986 stillbirths have been registered as for any other birth. For these records see Birth Registration Records.
For stillbirth notices found in the family notice section of newspapers see Newspapers, Magazines and Journals.
For burial records of stillborn children see Cemetery and Crematoria Records.
For medical records of women giving birth in hospitals see Hospitals.
Also see DNA Tests.
Historically if the parents of a child are not married then the father of the child usually does not appear on the baptism record or birth certificate. Sometimes the reputed father may be included in the case of baptism records. See Religious Records. The marriage or death certificates of the person in question may be helpful in elucidating the father of the person. See Marriage Registration Records or Death Registration Records.
The mother of the child may have tried to get maintenance for the child from the father. This occurred in the local Court of Petty Sessions. See Victorian Courts of Petty Sessions. This may have been reported in the newspapers. See Newspapers, Magazines and Journals.
For medical records of women giving birth in hospitals see Hospitals.
Victoria was defended using British military forces until 1870.
GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE, ENGLAND - REGIMENTAL RECORDS 1761-1924
Records of birth/ baptisms, marriages and some deaths relating to British Army regiments. Certificates can be obtained from the General Register Office. They are not online. An overseas index is held in various libraries and record offices, as well as online via specialist websites.
https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate
GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE, ENGLAND - CHAPLAIN RETURNS 1796-1880
Army chaplains' records of births, marriages and deaths. Certificates can be obtained from the General Register Office. They are not online. An overseas index is held in various libraries and record offices, as well as online via specialist websites.
https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate
ANCESTRY - UNITED KINGDOM, BRITISH ARMY AND NAVY BIRTH, MARRIAGE AND DEATH RECORDS, 1730-1960
The records were collected by the various armed services of the British forces. Many are from registers kept by the chaplains of the various services and include births, baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials. Also included in this collection are British Navy reports of deaths as well as British Officer births, wills and personal records. The records are searchable and may be browsed.
https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/60931/
ANCESTRY - UNITED KINGDOM, MILITARY RECORDS OF BAPTISMS, CONFIRMATIONS, MARRIAGES AND BURIALS, 1813-1957
This collection contains registrations of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, banns, and burials for individuals who served in the British military, including those stationed overseas. The original records were recorded by military chaplains. The original collection is housed in the National Archives of the United Kingdom in Surrey. The records are searchable and may be browsed.
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/62113/
FORCES WAR RECORDS - UNITED KINGDOM, BAPTISMS, CONFIRMATIONS, MARRIAGES AND BURIALS IN UNITED KINGDOM AND OVERSEAS GARRISONS 1813-1957
This collection contains registrations of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, banns, and burials for individuals who served in the British military, including those stationed overseas. This collection is unique in that the original records were recorded by military chaplains. While the Church of England is the official state religion of the United Kingdom, people of other faiths have been able to join the British military since 1793.
ANCESTRY - UNITED KINGDOM, ADMIRALTY RECORDS OF MARRIAGES AND BAPTISMS 1754-1878
This collection contains images of marriage and baptism records for Royal Navy personnel dated between 1754 and 1878. The records appear in registration books and as individual certificates. The registration books typically have printed column headings with handwritten entries, and some records are simple handwritten notes. The information in the records varies, but they generally contain the names of family members.
https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/62629/
FINDMYPAST - BRITISH ARMED FORCES AND OVERSEAS BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS 1761-2005
These records are from the General Register Office and the National Archives in England. It is a collection of birth and baptism records of those born overseas and at sea. The collection holds birth records of children born to those working within the armed forces, merchant navy, and consular forces as well as civilian ship passengers. The records are transcriptions; some have attached images. They are searchable.
FINDMYPAST - BRITISH ARMED FORCES, ROMAN CATHOLIC REGISTERS 1836-1975
The registers comprise records for the British Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy stationed at home and abroad between 1836 and 1975. They include baptism, confirmation, marriage, and burial records. They are searchable.
https://search.findmypast.com.au/search-world-records/british-armed-forces-roman-catholic-registers
Victorian Birth, Death and Marriage Indexes have place name abbreviations which may be difficult to correctly interpret. Adding to the difficulty there were many place name changes over the years.
STEVE PARKER - VICTORIAN BDM PLACE NAME ABBREVIATIONS LIST (INTERNET ARCHIVE WAYBACK MACHINE)
This website is no longer online; this screenshot is dated 28 October 2023.
https://web.archive.org/web/20231028170518/https://bdmabbreviations.steveparker.id.au/
KATHLEEN M FANNING - VICTORIAN PLACE NAME ABBREVIATIONS AND ALTERNATIVE NAMES-A GENEALOGY RESEARCH AID
https://fanningfamilyhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/eBook-Placenames-Abbreviations-13-June-2011.pdf
TALL TREES FAMILY HISTORY - VICTORIAN PLACE NAME ABBREVIATIONS (INTERNET ARCHIVE WAYBACK MACHINE)
This website is no longer online; this screenshot is dated 8 November 2022.
https://web.archive.org/web/20221108191003/http://myweb.westnet.com.au/talltrees/services4.html
SUSIE ZADES - PLACE NAMES IN VICTORIAN BDM INDEXES
http://zades.com.au/gandd/index.php/thisthat/vicbdmind
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