Researching family trees

Registration of births, deaths and marriages began in 1839 in Tasmania, the first Australian colony to take over the function previously done by the Churches.

Birth, death and marriage records available online

The Libraries Tasmania website provides an online search database for birth, death and marriage records.

Libraries Tasmania also provides an online index search for;

The index information can help you apply to Births, Deaths and Marriages Tasmania for a complete certificate.  You may find some of these  records have been digitised and available to view on the Libraries Tasmania website.

Records will continue to be added to the Libraries Tasmania website as digitisation work progresses.

The Family Search website is another useful resource and provides access to Tasmanian birth records from 1900 to 1912.

If you choose not to search for records on the Libraries Tasmania website, you can complete an application with Births Deaths and Marriages online or by post.  We will conduct the search and provide you with a certificate by post.

How do I trace my family tree

Step 1

Start with you and work back.

Step 2

Who are you, who are your parents, grandparents and great grandparents?

Step 3

Find out what records you can access, what records your parents or grandparents may be able to access for you.  Check who can apply for a certificate.

Step 4

Births, Deaths and Marriages Tasmania certificates can assist you in researching your family tree.  Certificates provide information about other family members as well as the person registered.

Step 5

To apply for a certificate you will need to choose one of the following options:

This Office searches a five year period for the standard fee.  For searches of six years or more extended fees are payable.

If the record is found, we issue a certificate. If there is no record, we issue a 'Certificate of No Record'.

Please Note: Given name, surname and a defined search period must be specified prior to any search being undertaken.  Issue searches (where an applicant is trying to identify any child/ren born to an individual) cannot be conducted by Registry staff, as only a limited number of records have been computerised.

Will all the information be on a certificate

The type of information provided to the Registry varies greatly with the passage of time and early records are basic and not as comprehensive as those issued today.

Early registrations 1803 - 1839

Prior to 1839 there was no official registration of births, deaths and marriages.  Between 1803 and 1839, the only records are Church Registers, many of these can be viewed on the Tasmanian Names Index.

Baptisms

Baptisms are the earliest form of Birth Records in Tasmania and contain:

  • registration number
  • Parish name, County and the year
  • date of baptism
  • date of birth
  • child's given name/s
  • parents' given name/s
  • father's family name (mother's maiden name not mentioned in most cases)
  • abode (ie Hobart Town or a street name)
  • father's quality or profession
  • name of Minister who performed the ceremony

Births 1840's - 1890's

  • registration number
  • date of birth
  • name of child
  • gender
  • father's full name and profession
  • mother's full name
  • informant's name, description and abode
  • date of registration
  • signature of Registrar

Births 1896 - onwards

  • registration number
  • date of birth
  • name of child
  • gender
  • father's full name and profession
  • mother's full name
  • date and place of parents' marriage
  • informant's name, description and abode
  • date of registration
  • signature of Registrar

From 1902 the parents' age and birthplace is included.  From 1909, previous issue of the marriage is included.

Deaths

Burials 1803 - 1838

  • given name/s
  • abode
  • date of burial
  • age
  • how person died
  • quality or profession
  • who performed the burial

Deaths 1840 - 1890's

  • registration number
  • date of death
  • given name/s
  • family name
  • gender
  • age
  • profession
  • cause of death (medical attendant included from the late 1880's)
  • date of registration
  • Registrar's name

Later in the 1890's some records show where the person died.  From 1897 the birth place of the deceased is included.  By 1908 the name of spouse (or parents if single) is included.  From 1914 age at marriage and issue of the marriage is included.

Marriages

Marriages 1840 - 1895

  • registration number
  • date of marriage
  • place of marriage
  • given name/s and family name
  • age
  • rank/profession
  • signature and description of both parties
  • name of clergyman or Minister who performed the ceremony
  • date of registration
  • signature of Registrar
  • names of witnesses to marriage
  • denomination of church

Marriages after 1896

All of the above plus birth place of both bride and groom, age of both parties, address of both parties and names of both bride and groom's parents.

What if the Registry does not have a record I am searching for

If the Registry Office does not have a record of the person you are searching for, the following is a list of resources that may assist you:

Last updated: 15 April 2024