Public Record Office Victoria
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Framed glazed advertisement South Yarra ladies looking at Berlei advertisement VPRS 12800/P3, ADV 95
DISCOVER HISTORY Public Record Office Victoria is the archives of the State Government of Victoria. We hold almost 100kms of records from the mid 1830s to today which we manage for use for the people of Victoria. Our collection includes memories of events and decisions that have shaped Victoria into the state we know today. If you’re looking to add a few leaves to your family tree, learn more about your local community or want to discover the fascinating history of Victoria, our collection may have something for you. Various railway posters, Public Transport Photographic Collection, VPRS 12800/P7
TAKE A JOURNEY THROUGH THE ARCHIVES Start your research project today with Public Record Office Victoria. Research takes time and effort and along the way you will get hits and misses. Discovering a slice of Victoria’s history is part of the fun as you never know what you might come across once you start digging in the archives. If your research project feels daunting, why not come along to our Open Day, Dig the Archives on Saturday 17 May or try one of our many information sessions. 02-03
START YOUR OWN RESEARCH PROJECT So you’re interested in starting a research project. Here’s a guide to ensure you have all the information you need to get off to a flying start!
Glenmore State School No.3688 Rooms, Bedrooms etc VPRS 12903/P1, item Box 284/05
YOUR FIRST STOP ON YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH THE ARCHIVES Accessing records in the collection online
What are you looking for? Why are you conducting your research? Are you trying to find a family member, research your home or do you simply want to learn more about Victoria’s fascinating history? What do you know already? Start with a list of any relevant dates, names, towns, schools or connections with government before starting your research. Now you’re ready to start your journey through the archives.
Your first step to research ing the archives is our website. Visit prov.vic.gov.au/res earch and create a new user account.
Once you have an account, the archives are at your fingertips. Simply select the category you wish to research and enter the relevant information. When you have found a record of interest, you can order the item ready to view in one of our Reading Rooms (see back page). e original records We also regularly digitis and downloaded so they can be viewed by you at home.
Street scene of Clarendon Street South Melbourne with entrance to Montague shipping shed, Robur tea warehouse in background VPRS 12800/P3, item ADV 1200 Boys on farm VPRS 12903/P1, Box 285/04
many research If you get stuck there are website to help guides available on our you on your way. 04-05
DIG THE ARCHIVES: OPEN DAY On Saturday 17 May we are opening our doors and inviting you to Dig the Archives at the Victorian Archives Centre. Dig the Archives is an open day with a difference. We will take you on guided tours where you will uncover treasures of the archives including records exposing our criminal past, maps of towns and cities gone by and some quirky items that may keep you guessing! We will be offering workshops and talks that will equip you with all the skills you need to start your next research project including researching your property, your family or even learning how to care for your family treasures. We can’t wait to Dig the Archives with you!
Dig the Archives Saturday 17 May 10am–4pm Victorian Archives Centre Free entry but bookings are essential. Visit prov.vic.gov.au for more information.
ABORIGINAL RECORDS SHOWCASE A special display of Aboriginal records from the collection of Public Record Office Victoria will showcase the variety of material available for Aboriginal history and family research. A highlight of the exhibition will be fascinating records dating from early European settlement in Victoria and the Protectorate period of the 1840s and 1850s through to the 20th century. Also on display will be original letters, maps, reports, petitions and images from Victorian Aboriginal missions and reserves including Coranderrk, Framlingham and Ramahyuck. On display at the Victorian Archives Centre from 17 May to July 2014. Free entry. For further information visit prov.vic.gov.au Petition from residents of Lake Tyers Aboriginal Station, 1931 VPRS 1694/PO, unit 11, May-June 1931
06-07
THE GRIT ON THE GRID: STREETS OF MELBOURNE Explore the fascinating history behind Melbourne’s city grid and its surveyor Robert Hoddle. Discover the past of Melbourne’s quirky and sometimes murky landways and iconic streets through historic records from the collection of Public Record Office Victoria.
BATTLE TO FARM: WWI SOLDIER SETTLEMENT RECORDS IN VICTORIA
Fllinders S VPRS 1 treet Station orig 2800/P inal build 1, item ings H1801
As part of the centenary commemorations of World War One, Public Record Office Victoria has received funding to digitise our collection of records of soldier settlers in Victoria.
Laid down in 1873 by surveyor Robert Hoddle, Melbourne’s rectangular design has become an icon of the city and part of its identity. Discover the Melbourne grid, learn about our explorers and colonial origins and be introduced to our city’s past.
Following the First World War, Victorians welcomed home the thousands of soldiers returning from the front. The Victorian government instituted ‘soldier settlement’ schemes to provide newly-discharged solders with farming land.
ers Street Passengers crossing Flind ide station and Swanston Street outs 537 VPRS 12800/P3, item ADV
Streets of Melbourne is on display at the Old Treasury Building until May 2014. Entry is free. For further information visit oldtreasurybuilding.org.au
Flinders Street Station VPRS 12800/P1, item H1926
By ANZAC Day, April 25 2015, we will have names of Victorian soldier settlers online linked to records both in the Public Record Office Victoria collection and other collections. We are seeking stories and copies of documents from soldier settler families that we can share to help people understand what life was like for the returned service people and their families. If you would like to share your story or become a volunteer on this project, please contact us at enquiries@prov.vic.gov.au.
Private H Martin, (7355), 2nd Aust Casualty Clearing Station, AAMC PROV, VPRS 8780/P1 unit 1
08-09
NEW LOOK, NEW LOCATION Researchers of Bendigo’s history can now access more records more often at the newly refurbished Bendigo Regional Archives Centre.
Robin A Vowels, win ner of the Victorian Community History Royal Historical Soc Award 2013 with Don iety of Victoria and Garden, Justine Heazlewood , Public Record Offi ce Victoria.
A range of public records are now available to be viewed at the centre on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 4.30pm. Simply search and order records in our online catalogue at prov.vic.gov.au
VICTORIAN COMMUNITY HISTORY AWARDS
It’s time to start preparing your project for the annual Victorian Community History Awards. This event celebrates the extraordinary work of passionate Victorians who provide a fascinating view into our history through a range of categories including publications, multimedia, young historians and collaborative projects amongst others.
Various works from the collection at Bendigo Regional Archives Centre
The Awards recognise the contributions made by Victorians to the preservation of our heritage and acknowledge works that contribute to the development and appreciation of the history of Victoria. Applications open in June with the winners announced in October at a special awards ceremony. For further information visit prov.vic.gov.au/community-programs
For more information on records held at the Bendigo Regional Archives Centre visit brac.vic.gov.au
10-11
PUBLICATIONS Public Record Office Victoria produces a range of publications which draw on records from the collection. Pick up one of our latest releases today. walata tyamateetj is a brand new guide to government records about Aboriginal people in Victoria. Produced by Public Record Office Victoria with the National Archives of Australia, the guide highlights the wide range of records available in our collections for Aboriginal Victorians researching their family and country, as well as researchers interested in the history of Aboriginal affairs in Victoria. walata tyamateetj, meaning to ‘carry knowledge’ in the Gunditjmara language of western Victoria, is an invaluable starting place to connect with Victoria’s Aboriginal history, people, places and the collections. Order this guide and view other publications at prov.vic.gov.au/products-page
Provenance, Issue 12 OUT NOW! The annual Provenance journal is a must-read for history buffs who are looking to delve into extraordinary stories and research based on State records. The latest edition features articles ranging from advice on improving access to Victoria’s Child Welfare Records to an exploration of Piggoreet, a township built on gold. Free to download from prov.vic.gov.au/publications
Get your research published! Are you a budding historian, researcher or author? We are now calling for articles for the 2014 edition of Provenance. If you are researching our records and have an interest in being published then this could be the journal for you! Submissions can be made to the peer reviewed section of the journal or the more informal forum section. Submission deadline is 5 May 2014. Visit prov.vic.gov.au for further information.
12-13
EVENTS CALENDAR Date
Event
Details
3 March
Crime, Law and Punishment
An info session on grim records of our past
6 March
Tour of the Archives
Come behind the scenes of the Victorian Archives Centre
6 March
Women in the Archives Seminar
Learn about fascinating stories of women in the archives
2 April
Tour of the Archives
Come behind the scenes of the Victorian Archives Centre
2 April
Intro to PROV Collection
Learn how to access the resources at PROV
14 April
Tour of the Archives
Come behind the scenes of the Victorian Archives Centre
14 April
Digging Deeper
Discover stories and information within the collection
2 May
Tour of the Archives
Come behind the scenes of the Victorian Archives Centre
2 May
Intro to PROV Collection
Learn how to access the resources at PROV
15 May
Tour of the Archives
Come behind the scenes of the Victorian Archives Centre
15 May
Researching Education Records
Explore education records in the collection
17 May
Dig the Archives: Open Day
Enjoy a day of talks, tours and activities at our open day
22 May
Sir Rupert Hamer Awards
Celebrating greatness in records management
3 June
Tour of the Archives
Come behind the scenes of the Victorian Archives Centre
3 June
Intro to PROV Collection
Learn how to access the resources at PROV
18 June
Tour of the Archives
Come behind the scenes of the Victorian Archives Centre
18 June
Reading 19th century handwriting
Learn how to interpret the handwriting of our forebears
To find out more about an upcoming event or to book visit prov.vic.gov.au/whats-on
14-15
FIND US Victorian Archives Centre 99 Shiel Street North Melbourne 10am–4.30pm Monday to Friday (and the second and last Saturday of the month) Ballarat Archives Centre Cnr Mair and Doveton Streets Ballarat 9.30am–4.30pm Mondays and Tuesdays Bendigo Regional Archives Centre Bendigo Library, First Floor 251-259 Hargreaves St Bendigo 10am–4.30pm Wednesday and Thursday Geelong Heritage Centre 26 Moorabool St Geelong 10am–5pm Monday to Friday Old Treasury Building 20 Spring Street Melbourne 10am–4pm Sunday to Friday Entry is free CONTACT US prov.vic.gov.au 03 9348 5600 Front cover: Various view of people on a hike in the bush VPRS 12903/P1, item Box 374/08
