Find local and family history at the library

Our libraries are a great place to find out about the past. You can:

• research your family history
• find out about the Bayside area
• trace the history of a house.

Research your family history

We provide free access to the library edition of Ancestry.com on all library computers and FindMyPast in the library or from home. 

Sands & McDougall directories on microfiche and a genealogy computer are available at Brighton Library or at the State Library of Victoria

We run classes on how to use family history resources.

The Bayside Library Genealogy Group is available to anyone who has attended all our genealogy training.

Websites for family history research

• Trove
• SLV
• PROV 
• Birth Death and Marriages Victoria
• Royal Historical Society
• Genealogical Society of Victoria
• NAA
• Melbourne Museum
• Australian War Memorial

The history of Bayside

The Bayside Library Local History Collection is held at Brighton library. It contains a range of materials related to the history of Bayside and previous municipalities which existed before the amalgamation in 1994. These included Brighton, Sandringham and Moorabbin. The Local history collection is a reference collection to be viewed at the library.

Browse the library local area collection.

Most of the photographs and maps related to the history of Bayside have been scanned and are available in our Bayside Heritage Collection.

Local historical groups

We are a member of Bayside History Network and collaborate with the local historical groups such as:

• Brighton Historical Society
• Brighton Cemetorians
• Friends of Black Rock House
• Friends of Cheltenham Cemetery
• Sandringham and District Historical Society

Tracing the history of your house

All enquiries regarding local and family history can be made by appointment with our specialist librarian. You can contact us to find out more.