The nucleus of the State Records Office of Western Australia (SROWA) collections is the Colonial Secretary’s Office records which were acquired in 1903 by the first Librarian of the then Public Library, Dr James S. Battye.

Concern about the destruction of valuable records prompted the formation of the Public Records Committee in 1923.

The State Records Office of Western Australia is responsible for:

• providing records management and archival services to government agencies
• preserving archival records
• providing reference services for researchers

SROWA holdings include:

• State Archives about Aboriginal people
• Public works architectural plans and maps
• Colonial and Governor’s Establishment records
• Convict records
• Supreme, District and Local Court records
• Education and school records
• Land settlement records
• Harbour, shipping records and 19th century passenger lists
• Hospital and health records
• Local Government records
• Maps Online
• Mining records
• Police records
• Premier, Cabinet and Parliamentary records
• Prison and gaol records
• Railway records
• State agriculture and environmental records.

Researchers wishing to use original materials must register with the SROWA. Original materials may only be made available in the State Records Office Search Room in the Alexander Library Building.

There are limits on archives requests per day. You can meet with an Archivist to discuss your research by making a booking online.