STATE LIBRARY OF QLD - 50000 photos added to Wikimedia Commons - 

Wikimedia Commons has a large collection of images contributed by institutions, libraries, archives and individuals from around the world. While the images will turn up as specific searches, this link will give you an idea of the organisations and collections which have been included, by country and also by types of images. 

These images are available for use, subject to the conditions and acknowledgements required by each institution. The requirements are listed with each image. 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pictures_and_images

ARCHIVES  IN AUSTRALIA -

As mentioned in our meeting last Saturday, here is a link to the main archive collections in Australia.

Archives are a unique source of records and information that you cannot find elsewhere as they are often personal documents which have been completed or written by your ancestors themselves. 

Make sure you take the time to order the documents or visit the archives to see them yourself. A digital camera can be useful to photograph documents, but always seek the permission of the archive staff before making copies. 

http://www.archivenet.gov.au/archives.html

At the end of the list is a link to International Archives as well... many overseas archives will require some knowledge of the language to help you research, but all have guides to help you with search terms. 

Be aware that few archive records on their databases will turn up in Google searches, so you will have to look for guides on each website to show you how to make the best use of the database searches and indexes. 

Some archives are using YouTube and podcasts to demonstrate the wealth of their collections - 

Here is a link to the NSW State Archives You Tube clip on Family History at State Records NSW .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MohF34zbqos

Did you know that the State Library of Qld has their own channel on YouTube -  a fascinating collection of short films on all sorts of stories from Queensland history and life... from the letters of Henry Mort, Panoramic photos of Brisbane, the Graceys of Cooyar, a history of Maroochydore... 

http://www.youtube.com/user/statelibraryqld#p/u/1/F9XRl2su36E

Here's another little gem on the Charters Towers and Dalrymple Archives Group - another Q150 project. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=094nyXzUTf4

http://blog.findmypast.co.uk/2010/02/ask-the-expert-disappearing-act/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=fmp_email&utm_term=reg&utm_content=240210&utm_campaign=newsletter240210

New Zealand BMD indexes are free online

Historical birth, marriage, and death indexes for New Zealand can be searched free at the official New Zealand Government site: Birth, Death and Marriage Historical Records. However, there are some limitations - you can only search for births over 100 years ago, marriages over 80 years ago, and deaths over 50 years ago. If you find one of your relatives you can order an official certificate from the same site at a cost of NZ$26, or else for NZ$20 you can get a printout for research purposes. Thanks to Colyn for reminding me about this site, and to Ann for explaining that the certificates are typed and provide less information despite the higher price.