Resources
West Torrens Historical Society Newsletter
The Historian - The Society newsletter, first published in April 2009, containing articles and photographs relating to the history of West Torrens & Thebarton. Published April, August and December.
City of West Torrens
To search the West Torrens local history catalogue If you need further assistance searching the West Torrens Library catalogue please contact staff on 8416 6228, or for further assistance with research queries please contact the West Torrens Historical Society by email
City of West Torrens - Local history information and digitised local publications.
WEST maps Public - Information on all addresses in the City of West Torrens including allotment size, ward location, elected council representatives and Certificate of Title references (to be found on the SAILIS website). Aerial photographs of allotments (1935-2020) and area measurement tools are also available.
The West Torrens Historical Society hold council assessment books 1853 to 1961.
State Library of South Australia
SLSA Almanacs and directories - The State Library of South Australia’s collection of almanacs and directories(Sands & McDougall) , 1864-1973. The volumes contain the addresses and occupations of South Australian individuals and businesses and some civic information (size and population of council areas, etc.)
South Australiana - Materials in this collection date from before formal 1836 colonisation of the state, to the present day, including the Northern Territory before 1911. Many items have been donated by members of the South Australian community.
SA Memory - SA Memory is an online gateway to South Australian history, heritage and culture. This multimedia website focuses on the South Australian experience - what makes South Australia unique. SA Memory illustrates and interprets themes to highlight South Australia's people, places, issues and events from the colony's beginnings to contemporary times: South Australia's 'memory'.
Family history - The State Library of South Australia has a bounty of information to assist you to discover your family history.
National Film and Sound Archive - The State Library is the NFSA's Access Centre for South Australia. We have a small selection of NFSA collection items onsite, largely dealing with SA topics.
Digital Collections - Special collections of the State Library of South Australia.
Photographic Collections - Special collections of the State Library of South Australia.
Catalogue - Search the State Library of South Australia catalogue.
Maps - The State library has a large collection of maps online. (some relevant to West Torrens available here.)
Bound for South Australia - 'Virtually every passenger list for the 3000 Overseas and local SHIPS that came to South Australia between 1836-1851'
The Savill Index - A comprehensive index of funeral notices from The Advertiser newspaper in South Australia, compiled by Gerald A. Savill from 1971 to 2020.
Newsbank - comprehensive collection of reliable news sources (eResource - State Library SA card required) A. Savill Index of The Advertiser Funeral Notices
Resources available at the State Library
Sources for South Australian History (1998) Andrew Guy Peake (ed.), older but useful overview of resources available to family history researchers and others.
Biographical Index of South Australians 1836-1855, Jill Statton (ed)., 4 Volumes (in the family history section - a starting point for family history research)
Colonial Residents of South Australia, 1839-1848 (microfiches - alphabetical index of 25,0000 names and addresses in the very early South Australian almanacks and directories
South Australian Census Returns for 1841 ‘This is the earliest census taken in South Australia, and gives name of head of household, age-group, sex and locality of residence, and in some cases, names of others in household and their age-group and sex’. An index to these has been compiled by Lucy Ayres (also in the family history section).
South Australian Land Returns for 1843 Andrew and Sandra Twining (ed.) contains a list of all people who owned land in South Australia (and in what section) in 1843.
Electoral Rolls (from c.1909 to 1996) and South Australian Telephone directorys.
South Australia
SAILIS - The South Australian Integrated Land Information System site allows access to Certificates of Titles showing South Australian property owners from 1857. Area measurement tools and searches of placename information, surnames and subdivision plans are also available.
MAPCO Map and Plan Collection Online - Historical images including street maps of West Torrens (1913, 1929) and early maps – ‘trigonometrical surveys’ – of Adelaide’s ‘country sections’, 1839-49. All maps may be enlarged.
The MAPCO website is a philanthropical project, designed to raise awareness and appreciation of history using old maps and photographs. The website displays many high quality historical maps and views, with an emphasis on London, U.K., and Australia. The MAPCO website is a free access site.
This site is intended primarily as a research aid for genealogical and historical researchers. The maps, prints and views on the MAPCO website are displayed free of charge for the use of students, historians and genealogists, to assist with heritage and family history research. Please also refer to terms of use.
LocationSA Map viewer - Find an address in South Australia, download a range of authoritative information related to South Australian government activities, view Roads, Satellite and Topographic Map views of South Australia.
SA Property and Planning Atlas - Find address, suburb, council, postcode, hundred, DSA etc. and access detailed reports.
SA Tramways Museum - Interactive map of historical tram routes
History Trust SA - In support of South Australia’s history network of committed volunteer associations and local history specialists, we manage a Community Museums Program and offer annual grants for research and writing to promote the value of history and our place in the world.
SA Heritage Surveys - From time to time qualified heritage consultants are engaged to survey an area. Heritage surveys can be of a local council area, of a region or can survey the whole state for places that fit a particular theme eg 20th century heritage. These surveys identify potential places of state and local heritage significance and potential historic conservation areas.
State Records of South Australia - responsible for the collection and preservation of State and Local Government Records and some archives belonging to private individuals, churches societies and businesses. Search hospital registers, passenger lists, prison & railway records, house and property information. Also some almanacs prior to 1864.
City of Adelaide Archives Collection - located in Topham Mall. Contain the rate assessment books and the Citizens’ Roll for the city of Adelaide in the nineteenth century. Some also now online.
South Australian Publicans - early South Australian Hotels and Publicans were compiled over many years by Reg Butler (Hahndorf Historian) and may include certain additional information regarding the people and families concerned.
ALSO Book: Hoad, JL, Hotels and Publicans in South Australia 1836 – March 1993 (McLaren Vale, SA: CR Hoad, 1999)
Extracts from SA General Registry Office (GRO) - From the foundation of South Australia as a colony in December 1836 up until the implementation of the Real Property Act (Torrens Title System) in 1858, all deeds and records of land and other similar transactions were held at the South Australian General Registry Office (GRO).
South Australian Teachers lists - Teacher search list compiled by UniSA (archived Website - Trove)
South Australian Sources for History and Social Sciences - resource list compiled by UniSA (archived website - Trove)
Old Colonists of South Australia - Pioneering settlers who came with a dream - Sharing photographs and stories of those who came to South Australia in the 1800's / Colonists are listed in the ships that they arrived in South Australia
Kiddle Encyclopedia - Easy to read fact sheets/pages designed for kids - Use the link on the right hand side 'Suburbs around...' to focus on various suburbs
Geoff Manning's South Australian History Archive
Geoffrey Haydon Manning began researching his family history during the mid-1980s. His endeavour soon blossomed into an enduring curiosity about the origin of South Australian place names. Search The Manning Index of South Australian History
Geoffrey Manning wrote on a wide range of historical topics. This website showcases his main works.
Some publications are available to download for research purposes, please take into consideration any copyright restrictions.
Betrayal of Aborigines in SA Colonial History
The Russians Are Coming! :The Defence of Colonial South Australia - 1837-1900
Memoirs of Thomas Frost 1825-1910
National Archives / National Library
National Archives of Australia
The National Archives of Australia holds the memory of our nation and keeps vital Australian Government records safe.
Visit the National Archives of Australia website
National Library of Australia
Access National Library of Australia resources to find the history of your house.
Trove
Find Australian online resources: books, images, historic newspapers, maps, music & archives
Pandora - Australia's website archives
PANDORA : Australia's Web Archive, is a growing collection of Australian online publications, established initially by the National Library of Australia in 1996, and now built in collaboration with nine other Australian libraries and cultural collecting organisations.
Family History
Genealogy SA
Genealogy SA is the leading resource for South Australian family history information, affiliated with Family Search. Non-members can view basic information. Membership (Paid Subscription) provides members with access to MyHeritage Database. Access to the FindMyPast, Ancestry, TheGenealogist, The British Newspaper Archive from the SA Research Centre (201 Unley Road, Unley SA 5061)
Visit the Genealogy SA website
Online Databases
Ancestry - A paid subscription family seach database (may be accessible through your local public library)
FindMyPast - Find your ancestors and family history in billions of British and Irish records, including the 1921 Census and newspapers. Build your family tree and search for relatives (Paid subscription)
MyHeritage - MyHeritage is a platform for discovering your family story with a free trial, a DNA test, and billions of historical records. (Paid subscription)
FamilySearch - FamilySearch Australia offers access to millions of records and a free account to build your family tree and trace your heritage. Explore historical facts, stories, and apps to discover your roots. Direct link to Search Page
Find and Connect - A resource for Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants and anyone interested in the history of child welfare in Australia.
Ships Lists
Ships List (archived site) unmaintained site of shipping lists
Family Search
Wiki link South Australian Online Genealogy Resources
DustyDocs
Dusty Docs Links to Free Genealogical Websites containing Parish Records
Death Notices
The Ryerson Index is a free index to death notices appearing in Australian newspapers. The date range covered extends from the Sydney Gazette of 1803 up to newspapers published within the last week or so. The Index also includes many funeral notices, and some probate notices and obituaries.
The Savill Index - A comprehensive index of funeral notices from The Advertiser newspaper in South Australia, compiled by Gerald A. Savill from 1971 to 2020. (State Libary of SA)
War Records
Australian War Memorial
The collection contains a wealth of material to help you research and find your connection to the wartime experiences of the brave men and women who served in Australia's military forces.
Visit the Australian War Memorial website
National Archives
Defence and War Service Records
Virtual War Memorial Australia
Virtual War Memorial Australia is a commemorative collection, purpose built to honour the personal experiences of all those who have served the nation in times of conflict, from the Boer War through to Afghanistan. It pays special honour to those who lost their lives as a result of their service and equally honours those who returned, forever changed.
Department of Veteran Affairs (Nominal Rolls)
Search these nominal rolls list members of Australia's defence forces who served during World War Two, Korean War, Vietnam War and First Gulf War.
Visit the Department of Veteran Affairs (Nominal Rolls) website
Hyperlinks are correct at time of publication - there may be instances where third-party content has been deleted or moved, resulting in broken links. Please advise any issues to westtorrenshistory@gmail.com