Queensland State Archives: a valuable member of the Brisbane Living Heritage family!
The membership status of the State Archives in our organisation is a testament to the invaluable role the Archives plays in preserving and sharing our city’s rich history.
For those unfamiliar with the Queensland State Archives, it’s a treasure trove of information spanning over two centuries. Housed in a rather imposing building in Runcorn, this repository holds the secrets of Queensland’s past, meticulously preserved in countless documents, photographs, and maps.
A Glimpse Behind the Scenes
We recently had the privilege of delving into the heart of the Archives, a world away from the bustling city. It’s a place where time stands still, and the echoes of the past whisper through the stacks of carefully preserved records.
From the moment we stepped inside, we were transported to a realm of hushed reverence. Strict protocols are in place to protect the delicate and irreplaceable documents within. It’s a place where every rustle and turn of a page feels like a sacred ritual.
The Archives is more than just a storage facility; it’s a living, breathing entity that connects us to our past. It’s a place where stories unfold, mysteries are solved, and a deeper appreciation for our city’s heritage is cultivated.
Preserving Our History for Future Generations
The Queensland State Archives is a vital component of Brisbane’s identity. By joining Brisbane Living Heritage, they reaffirm their commitment to preserving our city’s heritage for future generations.
Whether you’re a seasoned historian or simply curious about your family’s roots, the Archives offers a wealth of resources to explore. From tracing your ancestry to understanding the evolution of our city, there’s something for everyone.
The most useful records the State Archives hold are
*Passenger lists for Government-assisted migrants
*Wills and intestacies
*Inquests
*School admissions registers
*Court records
*Some Moreton Bay penal records
You can go online, or in person, to the Queensland State Archives to discover information pertaining to the following…
Family history: Discover more about your family history by viewing our courts, government departments and school records.
Immigration: Find lists of immigrant ships and their passengers travelling directly to Queensland from Europe from 1848 onwards.
Schools, hospitals and orphanages: Find nineteenth and early to mid-twentieth century records on Queensland’s government schools, hospitals, orphanages, children’s homes and asylums.
Courts: Find court records of wills, inquests, insolvencies murders and criminal depositions from the mid-nineteenth century onwards.
Government: Read more about Cabinet, Executive Council processes and the activities of the Queensland government from the mid-nineteenth century onwards.
Lands and mining: Find maps, land orders, land sales and mining records from the mid-nineteenth century onwards.
Convicts and early settlers: Find more information on early settlers pre- and post-separation from NSW in 1859, as well as convict records for Moreton Bay, St Helena and Toowoomba.
First Nation’s records: Find archival records on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including information about individuals, family and community links and native title determination.
Australian South Sea Islanders: Find records from when the first South Sea Islanders arrived in Queensland in 1863 to work in the cotton fields and sugar plantations.
War: Find records on Government activities during the Boer war, First World War and Second World War.
Shipping and railways: Find records on seamen, immigration and the administration of railways in Queensland.
Business: Find more information on businesses and companies that are no longer in existence, including companies, shareholders, and the date of registration and liquidation.
The QSA Online Search Facility is easy to navigate, and if you get stuck, you can always get in touch with the helpful staff. Searching and reading documents (in their reading room) is free, but there may be fees involved in copying items. If you plan to go out to Runcorn and use their On-site Facilities, it’s helpful to get in touch with them a few days beforehand to let them have the documents ready for you where you arrive, as it takes some time for them to source what you’re after.
Before you visit, it’s important to…
*Do as much homework as you can – collate names, dates and geographical locations
*Gather family stories and recollections
*Visit the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (& Divorces)
*Have a rove around TROVE, where the newspapers have been digitised
*Visit your local history library or the State Library of Queensland
*Then click on the Link to Start your QSA Research and follow the prompts. They also have a great Tips for Genealogists PDF Document to download for family history researchers.
We encourage you to visit the Queensland State Archives website to learn more about their collections, research facilities, and upcoming events. It’s an opportunity to connect with Brisbane’s past and contribute to its enduring legacy.
Click for Queensland State Archive Website
We’re excited to welcome the Queensland State Archives as a valued member of the Brisbane Living Heritage family. Let’s celebrate this incredible institution and all it represents for our state!