by Jenny Gill - Member of the Launceston Branch.

Assuming you are now smitten by the Genealogical fever and have documented everything your grandparents, parents and other older relatives can tell you about your ancestors, what happens next?

Firstly, organise your information using family group sheets and pedigree charts, and notebooks for extra information.

Then you have the fun of verifying the details by using the indexes and records of the Registrar General's Department [RGD] which document most births, deaths and marriages from 1837 to well into the 20th century.
These are available on microfilm at the Launceston Library and cover the whole State.

Early records prior to 1837 are also on microfilm.
These can be accessed through the Tasmanian Pioneer Index.
Baptism, Marriage and Burial records of several churches are on Microfilm at the Launceston Library also.

If your ancestors were Roman Catholic, these filmed records of the 19th Century can be accessed at several libraries around the State.

It is often a good idea to visit the places where these events happened. In the churches there may be a plaque on the wall naming your ancestors and then there is often additional information on tombstones.

Deciding which burial grounds to visit has been made easy through the Tombstone and Memorial Inscriptions of Tasmania [TAMIOT] which is on microfiche at the Launceston Branch of the Tasmanian Family History Society.

Where did your ancestors live and work?
Find out by using such volumes as Wise's Post Office Directories, the assessment rolls in the Tas Government Gazettes and Walsh's Almanacs.

Education is a little difficult as few private schools kept registers last century, and the state school system started only in the 1880's.
The Launceston Branch has copies of the registers of Charles Street and Wellington Square schools.

The most useful resource available for adding interest to your family history is the local newspapers. In the 19th century the newspaper was the only means of mass communication and these microfilmed volumes at the Launceston Library should be read thoroughly.

Not far from the Launceston Library is the Community History Museum. There you will find a number of photgraph collections, the Launceston City Council records, more church records and associated volumes.
The manuscript collection comprises business, personal, industrial and sporting records and the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery's own records.

All these and more are available through indexes and Guides for the family history researcher.

At the Tasmanian Family History Society Launceston Library, indexes are available for Assisted Immigrants 1841-1889, Unassisted Immigrants and Coastal Passengers to Hobart, and Passenger Arrivals and Departures in Early Launceston Newspapers 1829-1840.

Having found your ancestors came from outside Tasmania, the question arises were they 'free' or were they 'sent'? A variety of Convict and Immigration records and indexes are held at both the Tasmanian Family History Society's Library and the Launceston Library with guides to their use.

You now have some idea of the wealth of resources available here in Launceston at the Launceston Library, Civic Square; Community History Museum, St John Street and the Launceston Branch of the Tasmanian Family History Society Inc.

The Genealogical and Family History resources at the Launceston Library are housed in the first floor Reference Section.

The Launceston Branch of the Tasmanian Family History Society Inc. has its Library at 2 Taylor Street, Invermay.

Other Articles:
Advantages of Joining a Family History Society.
A Goal For Family History Historians.
British Census Records.
Computers and Genealogy.
Finding Relatives.
Finding your Ancestors In New Zealand.
Lower Court Records.
Newspaper Research.
What is Genealogy?
Identifying Family Photographs.
Old Launceston Landmarks.