Local History

Local History and Family History are subjects of great interest in the Central Highlands Region.  Local History collections in the branch libraries contain material in various formats, including local newspapers, books, pamphlets, maps and  papers relating to the history of a locality. The selection differs across the region, use our catalogue to check availability of items 

Australiana Research Collection

Located within the Ballarat branch library, the Australiana Research Room holds the majority of local history and family history resources of the Central Highlands Regional Library Corporation.

> View more about the Australiana Research collection

Ararat Library

Ararat Library houses the Banfield Collection of books relating to the history of Ararat and it's surrounding area. This collection is listed on the library's catalogue, and is for reference only.

The Ararat Genealogical Society's collection of genealogy related resources is located at Ararat Library. These include birth, death and marriage records on microfiche, cemetery and burial records, Ararat Shire rate books, rate indexes for some years, maps and parish plans, shipping indexes and inquest indexes.

There are many other miscellaneous indexes held which are relevant to the Ararat area. Archives of the Ararat Advertiser newspaper are available. The Ararat Genealogical Society's resources also include a comprehensive collection of books relating to genealogy and local history.

Bacchus Marsh Library

Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society have a collection of archives relating to genealogy and the history of the Bacchus Marsh area, which is housed at Bacchus Marsh Library.

Resources include archives of the Bacchus Marsh Express, birth, death and marriage records, shipping lists, cemetery records, family history files, local maps and photographs.

A reader/printer and several microfiche readers are available.

Maryborough Library

Maryborough Library holds archives of the Maryborough Advertiser newspaper, Maryborough Hospital records, cemetery records, birth, death, marriage records, Post Office directories for Victoria from 1868 - 1881, and local history books and pamphlets. A microfiche reader/printer is available for use.

Hamilton Library

Hamilton Library holds mainly books and papers relating to the South West district of Victoria, including family histories and local histories.  These items are reference only for use in the Library.   A useful place for history enquiries is the Hamilton History Centre which also has access to the Hamilton Spectator.

Newspaper Holdings in the Central Highlands Rgional Library Corporation

Newspaper archives held at Central Highlands Regional Library Corporation branches are as follows:

Ararat Advertiser: The Ararat Library hold copies from 1857 to present, in print and microfilm formats

Ballarat Courier: The Australiana Research Room at Ballarat Library houses all editions of the Ballarat Courier newspaper from its commencement in 1867. Most issues are available in microfilm format, though some are still maintained in bound volumes.

Other Ballarat newspapers: Ballarat Times (1854 - 1861), Ballarat Star (1855 - 1899), The Miner and Weekly Star (1856 - 1864), Ballarat Evening Post (1864 - 1877), Ballarat Evening Mail (1869 - 1871), and the Buninyong Telegraph (1873 - 1908).

We also hold microfilm copies of the Melbourne Argus (1846 - 1868) and the Geelong Advertiser, because these papers cover dates previous to the establishment of Ballarat newspapers.  Both these papers had reporters in Ballarat in gold rush times. 

Bacchus Marsh Express: A complete run from 1866 to present is available both in print and on microfilm at Bacchus Marsh Library.

Creswick/Clunes Advertiser: 1859 - 1902 is available on microfilm in The Australiana Research Room at Ballarat Library

Gordon, Egerton and Ballan Advertiser: 7.1.1882 - 13.1.1921 is available on microfilm in The Australiana Research Room at Ballarat Library

Maryborough Advertiser: The Maryborough Library holds copies in print and on microfilm from 1857 to present.

Steiglitz Miner: 17.6.1893 - 181.1907 is available on microfilm in The Australiana Research Room at Ballarat Library

Talbot Leader: 7.1879 - 31.12.1880 is available on microfilm in The Australiana Research Room at Ballarat Library