3. Use RecordSearch

What to do next

If the record has been digitised, go to Step 4.

If the record is listed as open, and you want to view the original record, go to Step 5.

If the record is open and you can’t come to the National Archives to view it, go to Step 6 to request a copy.

If the records are not open, go to Step 9.

If you don’t find anything, don’t give up. Go to Step 7.

RecordSearch is the National Archives collection database. You can use it to find records and information about them.

RecordSearch contains different levels of information about the records. It describes the agencies and people who created them, the series in which the records are held and the individual records or items themselves. It maps relationships between these agencies, series and items. It is based on the Commonwealth Record Series (CRS) System.

RecordSearch lists all records held by the National Archives at series level, but only about 10% of records at item level (by record or file title).

An easy place to start your research is with a simple keyword search, but not all records can be identified in this way.

You can find out more about how to use RecordSearch from the information on this page and in the following fact sheets:

On each screen within RecordSearch there is also a 'Help' button. The 'Help' text it gives you is relevant to the screen you are on. So, for example, on the 'General search' screen it gives you information to help you search more effectively.

A first look at RecordSearch

You get to RecordSearch from this website. There is a link to it in the top right corner of each page and from under the Collection (brown) section of the website. There are also many links to RecordSearch throughout other parts of the site.

On the RecordSearch entry page, you are given three options:

  • Search now – as a guest
  • Log in – as a registered researcher
  • Register – as a researcher

Search now lets you access RecordSearch as a 'guest'. This way you can search for records but you cannot order records or save your searches.

Log in lets you access RecordSearch as a 'registered researcher'. You can use this option if you have already registered with us and have a reader card number. Searching as a registered researcher lets you do more, such as ordering records and saving your searches.

Register allows you to register with us to get a reader card. You must be a registered researcher and possess a current reader card when you visit a reading room, or you want to order records for viewing in a reading room.

Options from the general search screen

The general search screen is where you begin your RecordSearch journey. You have some options on where to start:

  • NameSearch – lets you search more effectively for records about individuals
  • Passenger index – lets you search inward passenger lists for those arriving at Fremantle
  • PhotoSearch – lets you search an online image bank of more than 110,000 photographs

or

  • just do a search!