Albany History Collection, Albany Public Library, Western Australia

Albany History Collection, Albany Public Library, Western Australia

• Incorporates Albany Historical Society Archives

• Community

The Albany History Collection was established in the 1980s to collect historical information on Albany and the surrounding regions and has since become one of Western Australia's leading local history collections.

The Collection contains all types of documentary information - books, pamphlets, journals, newspapers, maps, photographs, private archives, oral histories, films and birth, death and marriage registers. These are stored in a variety of formats, including microfilm and CD-ROM.

The Albany Regional Family History Society Inc moved into the Library (adjacent to Albany History Collection) in late 2014. This is a welcome addition to the Library and enhances both the Library’s and Society’s local and family history offerings. Society members are available for research enquiries in the Library on certain days each week.

Officer in charge:

History of the Albany area.

• Manuscripts: The majority of the manuscripts were the gift of historian, Robert Stephens, supplemented by the Albany Historical Society Archives and the research of other local historians.
• Robert Stephens Collection: Stephens (1886-1974) was a distinguished local historian and researcher who donated his large collection to the Town of Albany upon his death.
• Albany Historical Society Archives include documents, books, maps, manuscripts and research papers, covering the history of Albany and the surrounding districts from pre-European explorations, first settlement and the development of the region to the present day.
• Photographs: include early photographs of Albany by pioneer photographer, George Chester (from 1858). Others include photographs of significant industries, eg whaling, tourism and leisure, architecture, important visits and general town life and some historic aerial photos of the town and surrounding districts. (Some photos are digitised and available online.)
• Oral history preserving Albany’s history in more than 60 interviews which have been digitised and transcribed.
• Vertical Files: Ephemeral manuscript records - photocopies, extracts, notes etc - are not indexed or included in specific collections. These items are arranged in two groups: Persons (ie biographies), and Subjects.
• Newspapers and serials: Albany newspapers have been issued on a regular basis since 1883 and the Albany History Collection has most local newspapers available on microfilm.
• Albany Regional Burial Index.

Some indexes available on site.

Albany History Collection: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
Closed Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Reference assistance available in person and for a fee online. For further information, see https://library.albany.wa.gov.au/programs-collections/albany-history-collection/albany-history-collection.aspx

Copying services available. For fees, see https://library.albany.wa.gov.au/programs-collections/albany-history-collection/albany-history-collection.aspx

Revised 27 April 2024

• Built Environment (Thematic area)
• Family / Domestic Life (Thematic area)
• Genealogical (Thematic area)
• Industry, Manufacturing and Commerce (Thematic area)
• Local Studies (Thematic area)
• Recreation / Leisure / Sports (Thematic area)
• Social Organisations and Activities (Thematic area)