Category Archives: Blog only
The progress of the Port of Melbourne
The series VPRS 8360 contains a slide display of many images on the progress of Port of Melbourne in the second half of the 19th and in the early 20th century. With the rapid growth of Melbourne and the poor state of the port, merchants pushed to develop a better port where ships could dock [...]
Fun with Dick and Jane readers
If you went through the Victorian Public School system between 1930s and 1970s the words Dick and Jane or “See Spot Run” may conjure up sentimental feelings. Children learning to read for the first time became familiar with the main characters in the Dick and Jane readers: children Dick and Jane, Baby Sally, Spot the [...]
Victoria’s Wartime Experiences as seen from the Home Front
In some respects, ANZAC Day can be a difficult anniversary for PROV to recognise. After all, the armed forces are effectively agencies of the Commonwealth Government and so members of the public waiting to find service histories and other records about our military involvement will invariably start with our Commonwealth colleagues at the National Archives [...]
Have you seen the Queen – we want to hear from you!
We Saw the Queen Story Day Have you seen the Queen? Most likely you’ve seen the Queen on the TV from the comfort of your lounge-room or on the cover of the Women’s Weekly. But maybe you’re one of the many thousands of Victorians who has really seen the Queen, who braved the crowds at [...]
The King vs. Bruin and Morris – Homosexuality in 1920s Melbourne
The 22nd Melbourne Queer Film Festival (15th-25th of March) is a great reminder of some of the unique records to be found at PROV that relate to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) Victorians. One example, from the Criminal Trial Briefs series, contains a brief (VPRS 30 / Consignment P0 / Unit 1877 / [...]
A million here and a billion there – recordkeeping in the digital age
Everett Dirksen (if you are asking who, check out the ever useful Wikipedia[1]) might have said “A million here, a billion there and pretty soon your talking real records.” You might want to look at a new book by James Gleick – The Flood. The flood of information humanity is now exposed to, presents [...]
Researching Victorian government building records at PROV
If you are researching the history of government buildings in Victoria and need a plan of the building, then why not visit the Victorian Archives Centre? PROV holds the drawings created by the former Public Works Department (PWD) and its successor agency, the Building Services Agency (BSA). These agencies were responsible for the design, construction [...]
Structured Data – Options for capturing structured data in a long term format
As mentioned in the previous post, PROV staff David Fowler and Andrew Waugh have been thinking about structured data. One of the avenues that has been addressed (a quick walk down, rather than a detailed inspection) is around what are the options for capturing structured data in a long term format. This issue deals with [...]
Structured Data – What portion of the data within a structured data source should be preserved?
One of the major work activities for the VERS program is focused on Structured Data. Two PROV staff members; Andrew Waugh and David Fowler have undertaken some initial thinking, which is documented (in part) below. For PROV the long term goal of the Structured Data work program is to prepare standards, specifications, and guidelines on [...]
Looking for someone? Try our Collection.
Public Record Office Victoria holds a range of historical records that can assist with looking for a person in Victoria and can help you to uncover a person’s history. As the State’s archival authority Public Record Office Victoria holds records created by Victorian Government departments and authorities, the State’s courts, municipal councils, schools, public hospitals [...]
