In June 1984 a small yet enthusiastic group met and decided to form a Branch of the Western Australia Genealogical Society (WAGS). Since that time membership has grown steadily and the Society been able to add greatly to their library of research material which now contains a comprehensive range of assets and resources to aid members and visitors in researching their family’s history.

The following is just a small sample of the types of resources held by the Society:

Print Media – The Society has a considerable holding of both Australian and International books, magazines, newsletters, maps, shipping lists, directories, census records, electoral rolls, etc. of genealogical interest, not least of which are copies of the original handwritten Register of ‘Baptisms at Port Augusta and the Vasse’ for the period 1830 – 1875. In addition to this earliest of registers the Society has also acquired copies of St. Mary’s Church Parish Registers for Baptisms 1886 – 1953, Marriages 1858 – 1885 and Burials 1886 – 1935 all rich sources of data for family historians.

Microfiche Records – Australian: These include Birth, Marriage and Death Indexes, Cemetery Records, Obituaries, Shipping, Court, Police and Convict Records, Orphanage Records, Biographical Indexes, Rates Books, Mining and Pastoral Lease Records, Lands Indexes, Emigrant Indexes, Hospital Admission Records, Hotels & Publican listings, etc.

International: Also on microfiche we have the International Genealogical Index for most countries of the world, various Parish Registers and early Trade Directories, Passenger Lists, the 1881 British Census, Old Age Pension Claims records for Ireland, etc.

Microfilm Records – Various old Regional and local newspapers including the predecessors of
The ‘West Australian’ newspaper from 1833 to 1882 comprising:

• The ‘Perth Gazette & Western Australian Journal’.
• The ‘Perth Gazette & Independent Journal of Politics & News’.
• The ‘Perth Gazette & Western Australian Times’.
• The ‘Western Australian Times’.

Films on loan from Busselton Public Library:

• The ‘West Australian’ – 27 Feb. 1892 to 28 Oct. 1892.
• The ‘Bunbury Herald’ – 28 Sep. 1892 to 16 Nov. 1895.
• The ‘South Western News’ – 26 Oct. 1903 to 22 Dec. 1949.
• ‘Group Settlement Chronicles’ – 4 Dec. 1923 to 7 Oct. 1930.
• The ‘Busselton-Margaret Times’ – 23 Jul. 1964 to 29 Dec. 1967.
• Parish Records comprising; Augusta Baptisms – 12 May 1830 to 22 Dec. 1885. Augusta Burials – 13 May 1885 to 13 August 1886. Busselton Marriages (St. Mary’s Church) – 10 Mar 1858 to 23 Dec. 1885. Miscellaneous Diocesan material.

The Society has a competent Research Officer who will carry out a thorough search of all local resources on your behalf. Please note that because the search typically involves very many hours of work a non-refundable fee of $50 payable in advance is required. Photocopies and/or printouts if required will be charged separately on completion.

Research Library Opening Times
Weekdays (public holidays excepted):
Mondays to Thursdays (inclusive): 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Fridays: Closed

Weekends:
Second Sunday of each month: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on meeting days, see below)

The Research Library is OPEN TO NON-MEMBERS on payment of a nominal fee.