Love to know more about your family's past?

The Gosford Family History Collection is located on the Mezzanine Level of Gosford Branch Library and is currently accessible only to library staff. Our history team are happy to facilitate access to this collection. Please email history@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au for assistance.

What does the library hold?

Online Databases – Ancestry (Library edition), Find My Past and the British Newspaper Archive are available at all branches. Please see staff for assistance logging in.

Books – A large selection of family history books and guides are available for loan or reference use within the library.

Microfilm/Microfiche – a range of immigration, convict and other records are available on microfilm and microfiche.  The main emphasis of our collection is on New South Wales, with some Queensland and Victorian Immigration records. Please note that we do not hold overseas records, as other groups on the Central Coast specialise in these.

Newspapers – The Sydney Morning Herald is available on microfilm, from 1954 to 2002, at Gosford Branch.  Pre-1954 editions can be searched on Trove.  Sydney Morning Herald 1986 – current can be searched using the Newsbank database, available on the State Library of NSW eResources web page. 

How do I access the collection?

Gosford Library - To access the collection, please phone 4304 7500 and book a time on the resource you require. Bookings are taken for 1 hour sessions for microfilm and microfiche machines, beginning on the hour.

Tuggerah Library - The family history computers, microfiche and microfilm readers can be reserved for up to two hours, by telephoning 4350 1560.

What if I need assistance or guidance?

Use of the collection is conducted on a learn-it-yourself basis, however, if you require assistance starting your research, or you have hit a brick wall, please contact us on 4350 1560 or email history@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au.

Beginner’s sessions are held on a regular basis. Gosford Library offers limited support and guidance for family history research. Please check the Libraries What's On page for details of upcoming sessions.