Our Research Services

Wherever possible, a personal visit to our libraries is recommended as the best way to further your research. However, we are able to undertake limited research in our collections for persons living outside the Sydney metropolitan area and who cannot personally visit us.

Financial members in that category are entitled to three hours' free research in our collections per year.

We also offer a limited service to non-members. This involves a $40 fee payable in advance which covers a check of some of the main sources held in our collection. Further limited research is undertaken at our discretion at a rate of $30 per hour.

All research is undertaken by a small team of Honorary Research Officers - experienced members who volunteer their time, drawing on both their knowledge of genealogy and of our collections to assist with research enquiries.

How the research service operates

What you need to do:

• Set out - preferably in typed format, but otherwise in clear writing - exactly what you require checked, stating what research has been done to date and the sources already consulted.
• The more succinct and well-ordered your enquiry, the sooner we'll be able to help you!
• Copies of certificates and documents should be attached where possible.
• A brief pedigree chart showing the family being researched will always be of assistance.
• Where enclosures or attachments are provided, enquiries should be sent by post rather than fax or email, as these often provide unsatisfactory quality.
• Send no money with your enquiry - you will be advised of any fees payable. These must be paid in Australian currency cheque, money order or bank draft, or can be charged to Visa or Mastercard online.
• You can also submit simple research enquiries electronically.

What you will receive from us:

• We will provide you with the result of the search undertaken on your behalf, including a list of the sources checked for you (both successfully and unsuccessfully).
• Where appropriate we will give details of further avenues of research which you can investigate.

Turn-around time:

• All enquiries are answered by our volunteers in the order received. Turn-around time for research is usually 3-4 weeks. However the team is small and individual absences sometimes cause delay.

Professional Research

We're unable to undertake long-term or protracted research by mail. If we believe that the research you are undertaking requires specialised knowledge, on-going research or records checked which are not held by us, we will provide you with a list of professional researchers whom you can approach directly to undertake the work on your behalf.