Regional history revealed through building files, court records, and rates

More than 1,500 archives from across regional Victoria have been added to Public Record Office Victoria’s (PROV) collection in the last 2 months. 

From Warrnambool to Colac, Mildura and Bendigo, the history of these towns and its residents can be found within a range of court records, rate books and building files now available at the Victorian Archives Centre. 

All of these recent transfers are in their physical (original) format and can be ordered to view in our reading room. 

Learn more and find links to order the records below. 

Regional court records from the Supreme Court of Victoria

Civil case files and cause books from regional courts across Victoria are now available. Civil records document disputes between private parties dating back to 1926. 

They can be a great source of information on the history of the town, local businesses, and individual complaints of the time. 

These records were created by the Supreme Court of Victoria when on circuit. 

Judgements, orders and decrees, and records documenting the swearing-in of County Court of Victoria judges are also now available in our collection.

You can order these records from the list at the end of this article. 

Omeo law registers

Common Law registers from the now County Court at Omeo have also been recently added to our collection. 

The registers were in the safe keeping of Omeo Historical Society, at the old courthouse, until their transfer to us this year. 

These large volumes date back to 1870 – a year of flooding rains in the ‘rough and lawless’ gold mining district, with a population of just 63 residents.  

These registers include the names of the plaintiff and defendant, nature of the action, amount of the claim and the order of the judge. 

One entry is for the plaintiff C.H. Hodgson seeking the balance of an account owed by John Gail in 1886. A search of Trove gives more background on the case, with Gail claiming the money is owed not by him, but by his wife! Judgement was, however, found for the plaintiff. 

A flick through the first volume in the series reveals the nature of action can range from seeking compensation for goods supplied but not paid for, accounts owed, or damages associated with a breach of agreement. 

Mildura rate books

Rate books are a record of the levying and payment of rates on rateable properties and the main source of revenue for local councils. They’re also an interesting record of individuals and their occupations. 

For each rateable property, a record is created listing the property and person rated, annual value of the property, payment due, amounts paid, arrears and when rates were abandoned.

Two sets of Mildura rate books have been added to our collection dating all the way back to 1893. 

These records will be a great source of information for family historians researching their Mildura connections. 

Colac commercial building plans

We now hold more than 200 historic building plans for commercial buildings, including associated permits and correspondence, from Colac Otway Shire Council. 

These plans are from their 2 predecessor councils, Colac Shire and Otway Shire.

Plans range from bank buildings to machinery sheds. Here we see plans for the general store, nearby house, and motel additions. Building plans are helpful when property owners want to renovate or restore their historic home. 

These records are handily listed by building name. Look at the listings and order records at the links below. 

Links to the records in the catalogue

Click through each series link below to order records for viewing in our North Melbourne reading room at the Victorian Archives Centre.

• VPRS 11629 C1 Supreme Court Civil Action/Cause Book, Sale Courts, 1980-2005
• VPRS 13773 C1 Supreme Court Civil Case Files, Sale Courts, 1988-2005
• VPRS 15145 C1 Supreme Court Civil Files, Warrnambool Courts, 1994-2009
• VPRS 16530 C1 Supreme Court Civil Files, Bendigo Courts, 1978-1979
• VPRS 17031 C1 Supreme Court Judgements, Orders and Decrees, Bendigo Courts, 1926-1947
• VPRS 22338 C1 Supreme Court Civil Cause Books, Geelong Courts, 1936-1973
• VPRS 22339 C1 Supreme Court Civil Cause Books, Horsham Courts, 1953-2009
• VPRS 22340 C1 Supreme Court Civil Cause Books, Shepparton Courts, 1949-1987
• VPRS 22341 C1 Index to Civil Cause Books and Civil Files, Geelong Courts, 1971-1983
• VPRS 22343 C1 Record of Swearing-In of Judges of the County Court, Chairmen of General Sessions, and Other Appointments, 1968-2018
• VPRS 22344 C1 Supreme Court Civil Case Files, Bendigo Courts, 1929-2009
• VPRS 22345 C1 Supreme Court Civil Case Files, Geelong Courts, 1963-2001
• VPRS 22346 C1 Supreme Court Civil Case Files, Hamilton Courts, 1977-1988
• VPRS 22347 C1 Supreme Court Civil Case Files, Horsham Courts, 1960-2004
• VPRS 22348 C1 Supreme Court Civil Case Files, Mildura Courts, 1953-2009
• VPRS 22349 C1 Supreme Court Civil Case Files, Shepparton Courts, 1970-2004
• VPRS 22350 C1 Supreme Court Civil Case Files, Wangaratta Courts, 1949-2007
• VPRS 22521 C1 County Court Common Law Register, Omeo, 1870-1930
• VPRS 19789 C2 Rate Books, 1893-1947
• VPRS 19790 C2 Rate Books, 1970-1981
• VPRS 22083 C1 Commercial Building Plans, Permits and Modification Correspondence, Colac Shire, 1980-1994
• VPRS 22084 C1 Commercial Building Plans, Permits and Modification Correspondence, Otway Shire, 1961-1994