Services
Infolink : Government and Community Information
The Infolink Database is a unique online resource offering up-to-date information on Western Australian government agencies, and their services and programs. Where do you obtain a bird licence? How do you pay stamp duty on a tenancy agreement? How can I contact my local Member of Parliament? This Database will help you find the answers. A large range of metropolitan and regional community organisations are also well represented in the Database, such as music, self help and health support groups, cars and leisure clubs, sports and charity organisations, etc. Special dates of significance to all Western Australians are also included.
Tours
Tours of the Battye Library are conducted by arrangement for students of upper primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. Tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance by phoning the tours coordinator Fiona Caratozzolo on 9427 3284. For further information on collections, catalogues and indexes, reference services, copying and tours, teachers should refer to Students and the Battye Library: information and suggestions for teachers.
Collections
Western Australian Documentary Heritage Collections
The State Records Office has the responsibility for the acquisition preservation, and provision of access to archival records created by Colonial and State Governments, as well as local authorities, in Western Australia.All other Western Australian documentary heritage material is the responsibility of the Battye Library. Its official collection development policy guides the acquisition of Western Australian materials. It is intended to provide information for the public concerning the State Library's current collecting activities and intentions, encourage cooperation and the development of partnerships with other libraries and collecting agencies responsible for similar heritage materials and assist staff of the Battye Library in their task of selecting, acquiring and managing materials.
The Battye Library collection development policy has been endorsed by the Library Board of Western Australia. It replaces collection policies relevant to the Battye Library published in Past Imperfect; future imperative (LISWA, 1994). The policy will be monitored annually and amended as necessary. It will also be subject to review every five years.
This broad coverage makes the State Library the primary source for any information relating to Western Australia, whether historical or current and the various types of material can assist the user to satisfy any request for Western Australian information.
Books
The world's premier collection of books published in or relating to Western Australia, from the first book published in WA in 1835.Serials
Over 12,000 Western Australian serial titles, whether regular or irregular in frequency, are held.Newspapers
Except for some minor gaps, full runs of all newspapers issued in Western Australia since 1830, including a few in manuscript form are held. The collection comprises of over 800 newspaper titles.Ephemera
A significant collection of over 65,000 items of ephemera, which are the transitory or short lived documents of everyday life, is held. These can include pamphlets, fliers, leaflets, tickets, programs etc.Maps and Plans
Over 25,000 published maps ranging from charts of the early Dutch and French explorers and the first surveys of the Swan River Colony to the latest maps issued by the Department of Land Administration and other authorities are held. Also held are a large number of original cartographic and architectural drawings that were produced by Western Australian government agencies, including the Department of Lands and Surveys, the Public Works Department, the Health Department and Western Australian Government Railways.Electronic Resources
The Battye Library preserves selected Western Australian websites and electronic publications through PANDORA (Preserving and Accessing Networked Documentary Resources of Australia) hosted by the National Library of Australia.Private Archives
These are the non-current records of private individuals, families, churches, trade unions, companies and businesses and other non-government organisations in Western Australia. About 1,300 metres of records are held.Oral History
Oral History was first undertaken in 1961 and over the years this collection has developed into one of the largest in Australia. In most cases transcripts are made of recorded interviews, and cassettes are also available for public use. Over 5,000 interviews and 10,000 hours of tape are housed.Pictorial Collection
The collection covers the period from c1845 to the present day, its strength being in the 1890s to the 1960s, with an emphasis on social life, agriculture, mining, townscapes, landscapes, portraits and Aboriginal subjects. Over 125,000 photographs are held.Film and Video
The State Film Archives came to the State Library in 1978 from the Audio Visual Branch of the Education Department. It collects film and video produced by government agencies, as well as commercial and private film. Over 2,700 titles are held.Western Australian Music
Western Australian records, cassettes and compact discs, printed sheet music, and serials, newspapers and books with musical themes are collected.Government Records
The government archives collection comprises over 10 kilometres of records and is constantly being added to. The records in the collection date back to the founding of the Swan River Colony in 1829 and comprise a variety of different formats including files, volumes, maps and plans, microforms, sound recordings and electronic records.
Major References
The Western Australian Post Office Directories
The WA post office directories published during the period 1893-1949 are an invaluable source of information for anyone doing family history or research on Western Australia.
Katitjin: a guide to Indigenous records in the Battye Library
compiled by Heather Campbell and published by the Friends of Battye Library with funding from the Maude Sholl Bequest. Katitjin has been produced to help researchers find useful sources held in the J S Battye Library of West Australian History for research into Indigenous history and culture.
The Cyclopedia of Western Australia : an Historical and Commercial Review : Descriptive and Biographical Facts, Figures and Illustrations : an Epitome of Progress
Originally published in 1912-13, this facsimile edition of J.S.Battye's work provides a good general history of Western Australia, featuring country towns, stations, etc., and biographies of prominent Western Australians.
A New History of Western Australia
Edited by C.T. Stannage and published in 1981, this work contains chapters from a diverse variety of authors writing about Western Australia's history from different aspects such as economic, social, political, etc.
Western Towns and Buildings
Published in 1979, this book provides a detailed sudy on architecture and building in Western Australia.
A City and its Setting : Images of Perth, Western Australia
Published in 1986, this book by George Seddon and David Ravine provides a detailed geographical and architectural study of Perth.
The People of Perth : a Social History of Western Australia's Capital City
Another work by C.T. Stannage, published in 1979, this book provides a detailed social history of Perth.
Western Landscapes
Published in 1979, this book provides a detailed study of the geography of Western Australia, with sections on land and nature, land and people and the western metropolis.
Aborigines of the West : their Past and their Present
Published in 1979, this book contains an overview on Aboriginal life in Western Australia and sections on changing local scenes, government Aboriginal policy in Western Australia, changing educational issues and Aboriginal studies.
Australia's Western Third : a History of Western Australia from the First Settlements to Modern Times
Published in 1960 and reprinted in 1970, F.K. Crowley's book provides a good general history of Western Australia.
History of West Australia [microform] : a Narrative of her Past, Together with Biographies of her Leading Men
Compiled by W.B. Kimberly and published in 1897 this book provides a history of Western Australia in the 1800s and biographies of leading citizens of the time.
Indexes and Catalogues
Indexes and Catalogues
There are many indexes and catalogues which will provide sources of information about Western Australia and Western Australians.
Western Australian Literature
The Battye Library serves as an archive and repository for published literature and manuscripts which can be located on the catalogue.
Western Australian Short Stories
Short stories from more than 100 years of Western Australian short story writing held in the Battye Library.
Western Australian Poetry
Poems from more than 100 years of Western Australian poetry writing held in the Battye Library.
Interest/Support Groups
Friends of Battye Library
The Friends of Battye Library assist and promote the Battye Library and raise funds for the acquisition and preservation of archival and documentary materials. Auxiliary members assist in the organisation of collections in the library and produce bibliographies and publications to assist in access to the collections. The mailing address of Friends of Battye is PO Box 216, Northbridge, Western Australia, 6865, Tel: 0417 178 687 (Secretary), Fax: 618 9344 5940 (Secretary) and E-mail: gomara@iinet.net.au
Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc.
This is an active group of genealogical enthusiasts! Their website provides many useful links.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has gathered genealogical records from all over the world. These records are available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, and through Family History Centres throughout the world, including several in Western Australia.
Royal Western Australian Historical Society
The RWAHS, founded in 1926, advises people on how to go about research on any subject related to Western Australian history. It has a Research Library and Museum of Heritage and its acquisition focus is on monographs, pamphlets, manuscripts, personal papers, letters, diaries, newspapers, maps and pictorial material relating to Western Australia. Its bookshop sells a comprehensive selection of books on Western Australian history. Referral to paid researchers is available. Information on affiliated societies and museums can also be obtained from the Society.
Professional Associations
Professional Historians and Researchers Association (WA) Inc.
This society promotes professional history and research according to a code of practice, advises on desirable terms of employment, disseminates information and conducts seminars and workshops to encourage professional development. Its members may be available to carry out research for a fee.
Government
Western Australian Government Agency Sites
Provides access to the web pages of a large number of government agencies, including some holding records of interest to the genealogist, e.g. Aboriginal Affairs Department, the Education Department, the Electoral Commission, Family and Children's Services, the Department of Land Administration and the Western Australian Police Service.
Governor of Western Australia
The Governor of Western Australia is the personal representative of the Sovereign in the State and exercises the power of the Crown in State matters. He is the titular Head of State and performs the official and ceremonial functions attaching to the Crown. This is the official website of the Governor of Western Australia and contains much interesting information about Government House and the office of the Governor. Information to be found includes a history of Government House and grounds (including a virtual tour), details of open days, biographies of the current Governor and his wife, the role and function of the Governor, current and selected speeches of the Governor and links with related web sites.
Vite Italiane: Italian Lives in Western Australia
Italian Lives" explores the history of Italian migrants and their descendants in Western Australia. This project is being conducted by researchers from the University of Western Australia and the Western Australian Museum with funding from the Australian Research Council and support from a range of government, community and private organisations. One of the goals of the "Vite Italiane" project is to build a permanent archive of oral histories, images and documents relating to the history of Italian migrants in Western Australia at the Battye Library. The creation of this archive will help safeguard the history of Italians in Western Australia for the benefit of future generations.
Western Australian Cultural Heritage Portal
The Portal provides a single search across the collections of a range of Western Australian cultural heritage insitutions. The collections covered by the Portal include: University of Western Australia Library; State Library of Western Australia; John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library; National Archives of Australia; Berndt Musuem of Anthropology and Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery.
Western Australian Museum
The Western Australian Museum provides for the community's educational and recreational needs in areas of natural and cultural heritage through displays and other public programs. It preserves representative examples of Western Australian and other relevant fauna, fossils, minerals and meteorites, together with a comprehensive sample of relevant moveable cultural heritage. Links to affiliated Museums can also be found at this site.
Western Australian Maritime Museum
The Western Australian Maritime Museum building in Fremantle is part of the old stores area built by convicts in the 1850s. It contains a reconstruction of the stern portion of the Batavia, a sailing ship wrecked on the Abrolhos Islands in 1629, and the sandstone arch from Batavia Castle, along with objects from early Dutch and colonial wrecks.
Art Gallery of Western Australia
The Art Gallery is responsible for the collection, preservation and display of visual arts heritage for Western Australia.
National Archives of Australia (Western Australian Regional Office)
The Western Australian Regional Office of the National Archives of Australia is a Commonwealth agency within the Department of Communication and the Arts. Its mission is to preserve valuable Western Australia Commonwealth Government Department records as part of the archival resources of Australia and make them accessible to present and future generations. Archival records held in the Western Australian Office include immigration records (including passenger lists), defence records (including World War I and World War II Army and Royal Australian Air Force pay cards), taxation records, customs records and Post Office Records. The Archives also collects personal papers of individuals associated with the Commonwealth, such as federal politicians and senior public servants.
Directory of Archives in Australia (Western Australia)
This site has information on various archives, historical societies and local studies collections in Western Australia.
Databases
Western Australian Newspapers Database
The Battye Library has dial up access to Western Australian Newpapers' Index to "The West Australian" (Perth's major daily newspaper), "The Countryman" and "The Kalgoorlie Miner" for the period 3 August 1987 to date. Searches on topics relating to Western Australia can be carried out by staff (the database is not searchable by the public), and a list of references showing date, page number, headline and column can be produced.
Western Australian Maritime Museum Western Australian Shipwreck Database
This database provides information on ships wrecked off the Western Australian coast.