Occupations and trades

Discover what your ancestors did for a living

This list comprises links to various sources of occupation and trade / apprentice information.  Many databases are searchable online by surname or trade.

Australian Capital Territory

Queensland

Queensland Archives has compiled indexes of their archival records. Use these links to get to the page and search the index database by name.

Once you get to the Queensland Archives page, here's how to use it:

  1. Scroll down to "Select a topic"
  2. Click on the appropriate arrow for the type of records you are looking for - this will then expand to show what record sets are available.
  3. Click on the appropriate link for the records you are looking for - this will then expand (below the list) to show a search area where you can input names etc.
  4. You may also be able to download the full index using a link that will appear on the top right of the page or below the search box (depending on what device you are using, eg: desktop, iPad etc).

New South Wales

NSW State Archives search - You can search the NSW State Archives here. It is the largest collection of records relating to the history of NSW and the lives of its people. It comprises over 14 million items. The records in the Collection are arranged firstly by the Government agency (a department, branch, office or official) that created them, then into series of records, then into items (bound volumes, files, documents, or objects) within the series. From there you may be able to order a copy of the records online, depending on availability and age of the record.

Victoria

Western Australia

South Australia

Tasmania

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory Department of Arts and Museums is responsible for the Northern Territory Archives. A list of collections in the archive is available for download in PDF format (warning: 250+ pages) which can then be searched offline.  The archives can also be searched online using the "Archives Navigator" service although it is not straight forward and no indexes are available. Read the Information for Researchers page for information on the service.

Other lists:

National

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Try our sister site, Gendata.com.au

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