Wangaratta Family History Society Inc.

 

There are some hints and suggestions below and on the research checklist page that may help you get started, if you haven't already. However, there will come a time when you could use some help with your research, and we can probably help.

If you cannot visit our centre, you may browse our indexes and add names you're interested in to a list. From there you can submit that list to us for research. You may pay instantly by bank transfer or if you can come into the office during open hours you can pay cash. Alternatively, download the form below, complete it and send it to us.

All postal research requests to be sent to:
Wangaratta Family History Society, 21 Docker Street, Wangaratta, Victoria Australia 3677

• Please type or print your request as clearly as possible.
• Let the researchers know what research sources you have already tried.
• State what information you are looking for and where you have taken your information from such as certificates, etc;
• Present your request in point form and state what areas you require information from and how many hours of work you would like done.
• Please be patient, all research is conducted by volunteers and we will attend to your request as soon as possible.

We have a large collection of local and overseas resources in our library.

How to get started on your search

Start with yourself and family records such as birth, christenings, marriage, or death certificate. Use family stories as a base for verification of events.

Family school records, photos, awards, and service records, deeds, family bibles. Obituary notices, diaries, letter and cards, etc can provide information.

You can also obtain information from the Public Records Office (PROV), census returns, military / navy records, probate records, land and property (titles), Church records, naturalization records, court and inquest records, shipping records (overseas and inwards), newspapers (state or local library), history groups.  See our checklist.

Visit family history groups and museums to get an understanding of their daily lives and the hardships your family endured. Visiting cemeteries and the reading the headstones can give you lots of information.

Information that may be found on Certificates:

Birth Certificates: name of person; name of father, his age, birthplace, and previous issue; name of mother her age, maiden name birthplace; place and date; married, place and date; occupation.

Marriage Certificates: date and place of marriage; ages and birthplace; parents of the bride; parents of the groom.

Death Certificates: name and date of death; place of death; occupation; sex and age; place of birth, time in Australia; father's name, his occupation; mother's name, place of marriage; ages at marriage; name of spouse; children of marriage, informants name, ages of children; cause of death; length of illness, medical attendant, minister and religion, undertaker; witnesses; where registered.

Compare this information against other records you may have.

Consider using software to compile your results.

Writing your story

Ancestor Profile

You may wish to write a story of your ancestor. These guidelines may be of assistance to you.

• Include basic information, example. Name, date, and place of birth, parent's names and dates of birth.
• What schooling did they have?
• If born elsewhere, when and how did they get to Australia?
• Where did they live at various stages throughout their life?
• What job / occupation did they have?
• Who, when and where did they marry?
• Names and birth dates of issues (children).
• Were they known for anything (for example, first white child born in the area, won the school spelling bee three years running, played lead in role in school pageant, politician, actor, most children or noted for lots of marriages).
• When did they die?
• Is there anything you want / need to know about them, that maybe someone that could help you.