Got British or Australian Ancestry?


Two completed Ancestry World Archives collections were launched live to search last week.  Since both of these databases were indexed by the AWAP community these indexes are free to search for anyone.

Dictionary of National Biography

This ambitious project, to produce a biographical dictionary of prominent British and Irish figures from the earliest of times up to 1900, began in 1882 and was spearheaded by George Murray Smith. Over 20 years later, and thanks to the efforts of hundreds of contributors, the final of 22 volumes was published. Now, over 100 years following the publication of that final volume, over 1,600 contributors to the Ancestry World Archives Project have created a free, searchable index to the more than 60,000 names contained in these volumes.

In the Dictionary of National Biography you will find detailed descriptions of many “notable” individuals, including birth dates and places, names of family members, possibly even job history and residential information.

New South Wales, Australia, Entrance Books for the Vernon and the Sobraon, 1867-1911

In New South Wales between 1867-1911, many destitute and vagrant children were sent to “floating” public industrial schools by justices of the peace. The children would remain there until they were apprenticed out after the age of 12, discharged, or reached 18 years of age. The schools included religious instruction, moral, industrial, and nautical training, as well as elementary schooling. The Vernon and Sobraon were two ships that served as floating schools. The Vernon was replaced by the Sobraon in 1892 and both were moored in Sydney Harbour during their use. These records can contain a lot of really rich detail about the boys including birth date and place, parents’ names, religion and physical descriptions.

Even if your relatives are not found in either of these collections they are fascinating records to peruse. I’ve spent time with both of them and learned quite a bit about the times and the people.  Happy searching and…

Until next time – Happy Keying!

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Reader Comments

How can I more information on my relatives that someone else has already discovered? For example: pictures, documents, Ect. I know that a couple of the people that have the same relatives have their tree locked.

Cheryl. Best way is to send a polite message to the various persons with the private trees.

I would like to find out about
The Hewitt Family in Brisbane
Joseph Selby Hewitt (my Uncle) and his wife Lily
Stanley Hewitt Their Son
Phyllis Hewitt Daughter
Twin Boys One had died
Second Spouse ( Violet)
Rosemary Hewitt
I am recording our family history I am Patricia Hewitt U.S.A. Daughter of William Selby Hewitt From belfast Ireland

I am trying to get a birth certificate or copy or information from Birth Deaths and Marriages Scotland born 1872 died Wishaw Scotland 1958

I would like info on my Great Grandfather George C. Brown born in England about 1835

I have three family trees that are in an ongoing search, however I am trying to finish THE READ FAMILY TREE .I have gone about the furthest I can go at the moment. I have traced back to my Great Grandfather (7th Grandfather) who was born in 1616 died 1700. Cannot find any further records past that date or information , Need suggestions or other site to search. If anyone can assist it would be appreciated.

I am looking for a family, probably of Jewish origin, with surname Durand, in Liverpool or London,England circa 1850 – 1860. My Grandmother, Sarah Myers, married in Boston in 1889 on 12/25 to Samuel Myers, whose mother’s maiden name was said to be Durand. Sarah’s father’s name was Eleazar or Lazarus Myers. The family trade was cigarmaking.