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There are many Victorian government records in our collection that contain information about people and places relevant to your family or local history research.

We have listed below the most commonly requested records for discovering people and places in Victoria, Australia.

 

What do I need to know before I start?

Your search will be enhanced by having some idea about the people you wish to search for, the places that they may have lived, and the time period that they may have lived there. 

 

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Material in the Public Record Office Victoria archival collection contains words and descriptions that reflect attitudes and government policies at different times which may be insensitive and upsetting

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be aware the collection and website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

PROV provides advice to researchers wishing to access, publish or re-use records about Aboriginal Peoples

Records created by various Victorian government agencies 1869 - 1970s
Graveyards and plots
Finding early Victorian census records
(Years 1861-1946) Record Series Number (VPRS): 5335, 552, 283
Records of State schools, students, teachers and buildings
Accessing records of mental and physical health
Records of coronial investigations
Record Series Number (VPRS): 24
Criminal trial briefs, capital files, inquests and prison registers
PROV does not provide access to these records
Early Victorian inward and outward passenger lists
Record Series Number (VPRS): 515, 516
Various collections
Dates, construction, valuations and plans
(1841-2016) Record Series Number (VPRS): 28, 17379, 7591, 7592, 7933