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Painting depicts a sick man laid on a cot, with doctors observing him from the bedside

Death of a Convict on the Hulk Justitia, 1830s
Open image in Trove - Ship passengers reclining in chairs on deck
Ship passengers relaxing on deck, 1870-1900, nla.obj-146719701

The arrival of an ancestor in Australia is a key moment in a family's history.

They may have arrived as a fare-paying passenger, as an 'assisted' migrant, a member of a ship's crew, in military or naval service, or as a convict. Your ancestor may have arrived as an individual or with family. Whatever the circumstances of their arrival the National Library of Australia holds or provides access to many immigration records and shipping-related resources which may help to identify when and how an ancestor first arrived in this country. With the exception of convict and military arrivals, this guide provides details of resources available both at the Library and elsewhere to assist your research.

The cover of a printed sheet music reads "There's a big ship sailing in the morning"

Tom Mellor, Alf J. Lawrance and Harry Gifford, There's a Big Ship Sailing in the Morning, 1906

Not sure where to start?

Ask a librarian

The National Library of Australia acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples – the First Australians – as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and gives respect to the Elders – past and present – and through them to all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Cultural Notification

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

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