Local & Family History

Brimbank Libraries provides resources to help you research the history of Brimbank or your family’s past.

A historical photo of a part of Brimbank showing a house-lined street with trucks and people cycling along. The image is in black and white.

Explore the history of Brimbank or delve into your family’s heritage at Brimbank Libraries.

Search the library catalogue for books and magazines relating to local history and genealogy topics.

Sunshine Library has a special Local History collection for use within the library which includes The Advocate community newspaper from 1934, on microfilm and in hard copy.

A historical photo of a part of Brimbank showing a house-lined street with trucks and people cycling along. The image is in black and white.

Newspapers

Access local historical newspapers to read news reports, advertisements, and opinions from earlier periods.

On the 1st of March 1924, the Sunshine Advocate was founded; the first registered local newspaper to be published in the municipality.
It was founded by Clarence Carlton, who remained the proprietor and editor from 1924 until 1965.

The newspaper was published as the Sunshine Advocate until 1995 when it was renamed the Brimbank Advocate. Further information on the history of the paper can be accessed via Wikipedia.

Issues of the Sunshine Advocate from 1924 to 1954 can be accessed online via Trove.

Sunshine Library also holds microfilm and bound hardcopies. The following years are available in hardcopy; 1927-1966, 1968, 1970-1987 & 1991-1995. Microfilm is available for 1924-August 2010.

The State Library of Victoria also holds this title on microfilm.

Digital editions of the Brimbank & North West Star Weekly, the local newspaper, can be accessed online via their website.

Keilor Library holds bound hardcopies of the Keilor Messenger newspaper from 1971-1994.

Online Resources

Explore the following resources to support your historical research.

Access a variety of resources on the Brimbank City Council’s website to begin your local or family historical research journey.

Explore Brimbank’s local history

Victorian Collections is a website that celebrates the diversity of collections held in the state of Victoria, Australia. An online platform to discover more about our state through easy access to collection items and collection-based stories, documenting the state’s fascinating history and rich cultural life. The Victorian Collections website showcases over 250,000 collection items.

Items from the Brimbank area:

Visit Victorian Collections

National
Australian War Memorial
Federation of Australian Historical Societies
National Archives of Australia
National Film and Sound Archives
National Library of Australia
National Trust
Trove

Victoria
Genealogical Society of Victoria
Heritage Victoria
Museums Victoria
Public Records Office of Victoria (PROV)
Picture Victoria
Royal Historical Society of Victoria
State Library of Victoria

New South Wales
State Library of NSW
State Archives of NSW

Tasmania
State Library and Archives of Tasmania
Tasmanian Family History Society

South Australia
State Library of South Australia
State Records of South Australia

Western Australia
State Library of Western Australia
State Records Office of Western Australia

Northern Territory
Libraries and Archives Northern Territory

Queensland
Queensland State Archives
State Library of Queensland

Ancestry

Ancestry provides an extensive array of resources and tools for individuals interested in delving into their family history.

Through its vast collection of census data, vital records, and DNA testing services, users can efficiently construct detailed family trees and uncover fascinating insights into their heritage.

Access Ancestry
Ancestry logo. Ancestry is a digital library resource as part of our Local & Family History support.
Access Ancestry

Local Historical Societies

Discover local historical information and resources from the following organisations

Keilor Historical Society logo. Keilor Historical Society is an organisation Brimbank Libraries directs people to for Local & Family History support.
Keilor Historical Society

The Keilor Historical Society is a non-profit, community-based organisation dedicated to researching the history and historic buildings of Keilor, Victoria, Australia. Access historical materials, information and learn about any upcoming events.

Visit Keilor Historical Society
Visit Keilor Historical Society
A small wooden barn-like structure, with a sign that reads, Sunshine Harvester Works.' It is an old photo depicting the history of the suburb, Sunshine.
Sunshine & District Historical Society

The Society, established in 1972, aims to promote the study and documentation of Sunshine’s history, including the Black Powder Mill. They have made significant progress in preserving historical items such as letters, photos, and newspapers. Bound copies of the Sunshine Advocate (1927-1994) are available by appointment.

Visit Sunshine Library on Wednesdays between 2pm-4pm, for inquiries or to view historical documents.

Visit Sunshine & District Historical Society
Visit Sunshine & District Historical Society
An old train station in a small town. It is a historical photo of the old Sydenham train station, and the image is in black and white.
Sydenham & District Historical Society

Meets every second Friday of the month at 11am.

For more information, please contact David Anderson on (03) 9307 6462.

Convert Your Memories to Digital Formats

Do you have any old VHS tapes, negatives, slides, documents, or photos that capture your family or local history?

Our Digital Station can help you preserve these precious memories by converting them into digital files, all at no cost.

To get started, book an induction session where you’ll learn how to use the equipment and space. Once you’ve completed your induction, you can book time to convert your files at your convenience.

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