Embedded Files
Genealogy Sunshine Coast is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9.00am til 4.30pm.
Check the shelves in GSC's library - we hold numerous items relating to South Australia, many of which are not available on-line. These include:
Histories of specific cities, towns and localities (organised by postcode)
Issues of the South Australian Genealogist
Books relating to the history of particular industries and occupations e.g. pastoral, mining, nursing
Migrant stories
Biographies of prominent men and women
Church histories
Indexes to historic records
Inquests and coroners' reports
South Australia History - Wikipedia provides a good overview History of South Australia with key points being:
Before European settlement there were about 48 aboriginal tribes (each made up of several clans) dating back around 15,000 years, mostly in the south of the state.
By 1820, sealers with aboriginal wives (kidnapped from Tasmania) were living on Kangaroo Island.
From 1828 to 1831, preparations were made for the establishment of a British colony based on selling land to immigrants (Wakefield Scheme).
The South Australia Act, passed in 1834, forbade the transportation of convicts and sought to attract settlers on the basis of political, religious and economic freedom, with opportunities for wealth creation through agriculture and commerce.
1836 - First immigrant ships (nine) carrying 636 people, arrived at Adelaide Plains site (via King Island)
Sheep farming (imported from Van Diemens Land) was the initial agricultural base (the first wool auction was held in Adelaide in 1840) and vast areas were leased to squatters until the land was surveyed and put up for sale by the government.
From 1836, settlers were mostly British. The first German settlers arrived in 1838, mostly moving from Adelaide to the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley. By the 1850s, there were over 5,000 Germans settled in SA.
From 1838 onwards, people travelled overland from other colonies and via coastal shipping to reach SA.
1842 - The Wakefield Scheme had failed, thanks to speculation, recession and maladministration, causing the colony to fall into bankruptcy. The Crown took back control, appointing a Governor and legislative council, resulting in a return to stability and the reintroduction of immigration in 1844.
Victorian gold discoveries in 1851 caused a mass exodus of labour.
This page from the State Library Collection, Pioneers & Settlers Bound for South Australia provides some helpful links and information.
Genealogy SA Online Database Search is highly recommended for an initial search of SA records. Their facility enables you to enter a Surname, Given Name and Relevant Year (using surname only works fine, but it's worthwhile adding more details if you're looking for a common name), the site will then look across many databases including Births, Deaths & Marriages (BDM), newspapers, church and other records.
After the initial search, you may see "Members Only" displayed on certain fields when you select a record. To see further information, you just need to register with Genealogy SA (it's free).
Note that if you intend to order a certificate from BDM, you will need to first use Genealogy SA's search to identify that specific record you need - BDM does not have a search facility.
State Library of South Australia holds many useful collections, start here: South Australia | State Library of South Australia to see what's available for family history research, including various specialised collections.
Also note the Almanacs and Directories area: Search directories online - Almanacs and directories - LibGuides at State Library of South Australia
Here you can access digitised copies of Boothby and Sands & McDougall directories from 1864 to 1973. It's worthwhile reading the History of South Australian Postal Directories and Almanacs page for some background information on this valuable resource.
South Australia Births Deaths and Marriages SA BDM is the place to go to order historical certificates, however you need to know a number of details to identify the specific certificate you require - unlike some states, they don't have a search facility, where you can locate the correct one on a list, then order.
To find the details you need, use the Genealogy SA search Online Database Search
Heritage Studies - regardless of which location you are researching, it's worthwhile seeing if there has been a heritage study undertaken for the suburb, town or local government area. These provide a wealth of information on local history including buildings, settlement patterns, industry and rural properties.
Council Rate records - where available, historic local council rate books can provide a great deal of helpful information including ownership, land usage, property description and sometimes tenant details. Some councils have digitised their old rate books to enable online searches, others may provide a search service.
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