Who do you think you are? Are you interested in Family History? Not sure where to start? The library provides a Family History Research collection housed at Springwood Library. You will find specialised resources in a variety of formats and the necessary equipment to access them including modern microfiche and microfilm readers and printers, various databases of births, deaths and marriages as well as cemetery and shipping records on CD-ROM and a dedicated Family History Internet research computers.
Volunteer assistance is provided by the Blue Mountains Family History Society Inc at Springwood Library on Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Volunteers may also be there on other days. There is a volunteer on duty at Katoomba Library on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (bookings are advisable).
The library also subscribes to a number of online resources on your behalf. Access to these databases is available within any of our branches. Just ask the librarian for details.
Ancestry
In library access only
Access to a wide range of resources for genealogical and historical research. Includes records from the United States Census; military records; court, land and probate records; vital and church records; directories; passenger lists and more! Access from any library PC or on your laptop using our WiFi. To get the most out of Ancestry Library Edition visit the ProQuest Library Guide
British Newspaper Archive
In library access only
While you are within any of the library branches, you will have unlimited access to the millions of scanned pages of newspapers that the British Newspaper Archive site holds. To view pages from the archive, you'll need to register (for free) and be signed in to the service. All the articles you view will be kept in your My Research area – it’s your personal area in which to store and organise your favourite articles.
Find my Past
In library access only
Find your past using family history records. Search 1.8 billion records from over 120 countries including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, United States, Pacific Islands and Papua New Guinea. Access from any library PC or on your laptop using our WiFi.
Internet History Resources
In library access only
The New South Wales Family History Document Service provides you with images of historical documents which contain information which can help trace people who lived and worked in New South Wales during the period 1850-1920. These records complement and build on information you can obtain from the Pioneers and Births, Deaths and Marriages indexes and the Genealogical Research Kit. Access from any library PC or on your laptop using our WiFi.
Trove
Trove helps you find and use resources relating to Australia. It is more than a search engine. Trove brings together content from libraries, museums, archives and other research organisations and gives you tools to explore and build. It gives you access to digitised newspapers, journals, images, letters, diaries, maps and more. It will also help you locate books held in Australian libraries
Blue Mountains Family History Society Inc Facebook Page
