The National Archives of Australia houses a comprehensive set of public records. The online NAA Record Search tool provides a number of options to make searching a number of collection easy.
Depending on what you are looking for will determine which option you choose. There are basic and advanced keyword searches. These provide a standard search, as well as date, organisation and items.
The one of great interest to many genealogists will be the name search. Using a family name, and optionally given names, you can check a number of categories all at once. These include:
- Australian Defence Forces personnel records
- Army personnel records
- Air Force personnel records
- Navy personnel records
- Boer War, World War I, World War II, Pre WWI, Inter War, Post WWII
- Immigration and naturalisation records
- Passenger arrival records
- Security and intelligence records
- Copyright, patents, trademarks
- High Court cases
A search will return all details for the records available. This includes series number, control symbol, item title, date range, digitised item where available and barcode. Digitised items include digital photographs of the original record.
Another option with the NAA Record Search is to search photos and imagery. This can be performed by keyword and date range.
The passenger arrivals form has a more comprehensive range of options. These include family and given names, ship or aircraft name, year of arrival, port or arrival and embarkation, or item barcode.
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