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Resources

Would you like to know more about your family's history?

Cairns Libraries hold an extensive collection of books, microfiche/microfilm and CD-ROMS to help you research your family history.

Major resources held include:

  • Birth, death and marriage indexes for all Australian States
  • The Cairns Post newspaper on microfilm
  • Cemetery indexes and monumental inscriptions including the Cairns Cemeteries database
  • Early directories, electoral rolls, naturalisations and convict indents
  • Guides to researching cultural and ethnic groups and specific countries
  • Pre - 1856 NSW Birth/Death/Marriage certificates
  • Pre - 1900 Tasmanian Birth/Death/Marriage certificates  
  • Immigration and shipping records

You can search for items within this collection on our Online Catalogue.

Click here to view a list of CD-ROMS, MICROFILM and MICROFICHE.

The collection mainly focuses on Australian material with an emphasis on Queensland; however expanding overseas resources are also included in the collection.

The material is housed at the Cairns City library.

Resources and Equipment available:

Microfiche and microfilm readers/printers/scanners are available for use, as are CD-ROM workstations, and a research computer from which you can access useful Internet sites. It is advisable to phone and make a booking to use the equipment.

Cairns Libraries now provides members onsite access to two fantastic genealogy databases – Ancestry Library Edition and Findmypast United Kingdom and Australasia.

Ancestry Findmypast UK Findmypast Aus

These fantastic resources can be accessed from any Library PC or from three dedicated Family History PCs in the City Reference Room.

How can we help you?

Our professional team can provide assistance with your family history enquiry and guide you in the use of our resources.

  • Phone the City library on (07) 4044 3730 to make an appointment to talk to a librarian or make a booking for the microform reader/printer, research computer or CD-ROM work stations.

  • Send your enquiry online by completing our Ask Librarians Online form at www.cairnslibrary.com.au

  • Visit the City Library and browse the collection, and use the online catalogue to find relevant titles.

  • Have a look at our fantastic guides, designed to help you research specific areas, and use specific resources.

  • Check out our website recommendations HERE

 

Some factors that may restrict, or are variations to, this service are:

  • The amount of staff time which can be devoted to individual enquiries is limited, and lengthy searches of un-indexed records (such as the Cairns Post microfilm) cannot be undertaken.

  • Staff cannot conduct original or extensive research (we can refer you to suitable material, web sites, online resources and organisations).

  • Staff cannot give opinions or specialist advice of a genealogical nature.

  • If in the view of the staff further research may be useful or if a search of un-indexed material, staff will refer you to the appropriate organisation, such as your local genealogy group.

I cannot visit your library where can I get information?

Send your enquiry online by completing our Ask Librarians Online form at www.cairnslibrary.com.au.

For those unable to visit us to undertake their own research or obtain their own copies of records our staff will search indexes we have compiled, and/or provide copies of records where references are quoted from our online or other indexes. If sufficient information is supplied we will check other records which appear relevant to the topic.

Unfortunately it is beyond the resources of Cairns Libraries to undertake extensive research on your behalf. If you are unable to visit the Reference Room at the City branch you may wish to contact one of the societies listed in the Family History Internet Sites for details of their charges.

Useful Internet Sites:

Click HERE! for a collection of informative Family History Internet sites.