More Changes at Queensland State Archives

Image by farconville (freedigitalphotos.net)

These changes at Queensland State Archives may suit some people, but personally I find them inconvenient and annoying.

• UPDATE: After extensively renovating the Reader's Lounge, the Archives did not proceed with the cafe. The old Reader's Lounge is about to be replaced by a cafe, which will serve tea, coffee, cakes and light meals. Sadly, this means that researchers will no longer have access to a fridge, microwave and free tea/coffee making facilities. Archives staff warned me that (quote) "if you want to bring your own lunch, you will have to leave it in an esky in your car."


• As part of the renovations to the Reading Room, Queensland State Archives have removed the desks that had individual lights, and they have replaced the old ceiling lights with much brighter LED lights. Unfortunately this has resulted in shadows that create problems when you take photographs of documents. I was told that (quote) "desk lamps will be available on request - just ask the archivist on the desk") - but apparently that's not always the case.

(This post first appeared on https://qld-genealogy.blogspot.com/2019/09/more-changes-at-queensland-state.html.)

New copying costs at Queensland State Archives

Public Search Room at Queensland State Archives
(photo by Judy Webster)

Since 1 Sep 2017, copying fees charged by Queensland State Archives have increased as follows.

Up to A3, on paper

• Black & white up to 10 pages: $1.75 per page
• Colour up to 10 pages: $2.90 per page
• Photos on photo quality paper: $3.35
• Certified (per item up to 8 pages): $45

Bulk discount for scanning standard resolution

• Per item 11-20 pages: $24.75
• Per item 21-50 pages: $57.75
• Per item 51-100 pages: $123.75
• Per item 101-200 pages: $247.50

High resolution reproduction (over 300dpi), on paper, CD* or USB*

• A4 and A3: $6.70
• Larger than A3 CD/USB* only: $13.40 per metre
• Photographs on photo quality paper: $6.70

Postage

• Category 1 up to 100 pages: $3.35
• Category 2 over 100 pages: $5.50
• Overseas: Price on application
• Registered mail: $6.70
• CD / USB: $8

Consumables

• *CD: $0.55
• *USB: $8

Indexes

• Category 1 Digital emailed: $6.90
• Category 1 Paper posted: $10.65
• Category 2 Digital emailed: $18.55
• Category 2 Paper posted: $21.90

For some records, my fees for digital copies are lower than those charged by the Archives. My Web site has details of my services.

(This post first appeared on https://qld-genealogy.blogspot.com/2017/10/new-copying-costs-at-queensland-state.html.)

What the Archives did with my index

One of five volumes of pension records  that I indexed

When I published my index to Queensland's old age pension records, I donated a copy to the Public Search Room at Queensland State Archives. I recently discovered that it was no longer there. I also found out why - and I was not happy!

The Archives said that they took it away to create an electronic version (which will undoubtedly end up on the Archives Web site). I was told that my indexes 'cause trouble' because people see the names on Findmypast, but don't quote the source reference shown there when they order document copies from the Archives. I don't know how many such orders they get, but it is apparently too much trouble for staff to consult my printed index.

I pointed out that I donated my index for the benefit of family historians who visit the Public Search Room. The archivist agreed to put it back there, but (get this!) she said that they may have already removed the binding and started scanning the pages of my index, in which case it will take a while to get them bound into book form again.

I should mention that I'd previously been asked whether I would give the Archives an electronic copy, and I said NO (along the lines of, 'If you want to waste time reinventing the wheel create an index, knock yourselves out, but don't take advantage of all my hard work').

Genealogy is my business, and I've spent thousands of hours indexing original records!

My indexes to hospital records have also disappeared from the Public Search Room. The Archives may try to tell you that they removed them because the records are no longer open to the public. The Croydon Hospital index 1888-1919 includes some pages that are currently less than one hundred years old, but most are accessible now, as are all of the Brisbane Hospital and pension records that I indexed.

For more information about the records, 70,000 names from my indexes, and details of my research and copying services, follow links on 'indexes to historical records and other sources for genealogy'.

(This post first appeared on https://qld-genealogy.blogspot.com/2017/08/what-archives-did-with-my-index.html.)

3 Reasons to Use Archives Previous System Locations

A section of  the search room at Qld State Archives

Family historians make a note of source references so we (or someone else) can find an item again. There are 3 reasons why you should know the 'Previous System location' for records you use at Queensland State Archives, as well as the newer 'item ID' number.

1. Typos and misinterpretation are less likely with Previous System location numbers. For example, the immigrant file for Agnes Adamson AITKEN is item ID 1111111. Its Previous System location is IMM/5. I know which one I am more likely to get wrong when I read it or write it!


2. Even if there is a typo in a Previous System location number, the letters at the beginning often indicate the agency. With that, it may be possible for you to eventually find the record (perhaps with help from the archivist on duty). For example, IMM means Immigration Department; SCT means Supreme Court; CPS means Court of Petty Sessions; JUS means Justice Department; and so on.


3. If the computer system crashes while you are in the Public Search Room, staff may be able to retrieve documents from the repository if you can quote the Previous System location, because it often indicates the shelf position. If you only have item ID numbers, you may have to give up and go home. I can always keep working because I know the Previous System locations for records that I've already located in the catalogue.

In the Queensland State Archives' catalogue (on the Internet and at the Archives), the 'Item Details' screen shows the Item ID and (if applicable) the Previous System location and Departmental numbers. The latter often point to a specific file in a bundle.

From your own experience at Queensland State Archives, what other tips can you share?

This post first appeared on http://qld-genealogy.blogspot.com/2016/09/3-reasons-to-use-archives-previous.html.)

New Records at Queensland State Archives

Queensland State Archives 'New Records' page has moved. [UPDATE 2020: It has now vanished. Sigh.]

Instead of saying 'partially open' for some series received recently, it now specifies the restricted period (30 years, 65 years, 100 years or whatever).

Click through to the series and then 'View Items' to see dates and other details for individual volumes, bundles, boxes, files etc within a series. For example, see series 6339 (another source for wills):

Originating summonses - another source for wills

Index to Register of Land Sold 1842-1859

A new addition to the Queensland State Archives Web site is an index to a register of land sold, 1842-1859.

Be sure to read the background and explanatory notes before you use the index.

Qld State Archives web address change

Queensland State Archives have changed Web addresses. The main search page is now www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/Search/BasicSearch.aspx and www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au opens an image search screen.

Free Certificates in Archives Files (Thrifty Thursday)

Before buying certificates, check whether there is a free alternative!

The sources mentioned below are in Queensland, but similar records exist in many interstate and overseas repositories.

Before buying a certificate from the Queensland Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, check whether that certificate is included in a file at Queensland State Archives. If it is, you can either take a digital photograph or save an image to a USB memory stick free of charge. (The Archives keep changing their Web site, so use Google to find the current URL.)

At the Archives you can often see certificates that you cannot buy from the Registry (because of differences in access restrictions). Certificates in archival files are often more accurate than typed copies issued by the Registry now.

From about the mid-1890s onwards, most Queensland Supreme Court 'will' files, and some 'intestacy' files, contain the death certificate. There are also probate files in Queensland for many people who died in other States and countries.

I sometimes find that the information on the death certificate in a probate file and the information on the certificate you bought from the Registry are significantly different! In one case the certificate in the probate file listed children who were not mentioned on the copy my client had bought from the Registry. In another case the probate file's copy showed that a person had lived in both the Northern Territory and Queensland (and how long in each place), but a more recent typed certificate from the Registry did not mention that.

I have seen birth, death and marriage certificates (including some from overseas) in many series of records. They include (but are not limited to):

• Supreme Court probate files ('wills' and 'intestacies'), divorce files and equity files
• Public Curator insanity files and Supreme Court insanity files
• Lands Department selection files
• Colonial Secretary's Office correspondence
• Police staff files
• Court of Petty Sessions maintenance records
• Police watchhouse records.

More information about those sources is in the book Tips for Queensland Research. For wills and probate records see also Queensland Genealogy and Archives Research Tips.

Postscript 1:  For the rest of Australia, see Kerry Farmer's suggestions re certificates.

Postscript 2:  A friend and I are creating an index for certificates that we find in odd places in Archives files. In the future, names from that index will be added to my main Web site.