Introduction to ArchivesSearch

• What Is ArchivesSearch?
• Where Can I Enter ArchivesSearch?
• How Do I Use It To Find the Records I Want?
• When Do I Need To Register?
• More Help Using ArchivesSearch

What Is ArchivesSearch?

ArchivesSearch is the online catalogue of records held by the State Records of South Australia.

State Government agencies and Local Government authorities of South Australia created the official records we hold.

You can use ArchivesSearch to:

• search the collection,
• register and get a User ID log-on, and
• order records for viewing at one of our research centres.

Related Information:

• What is an Official Record?

Where Can I Enter ArchivesSearch?

There are two ways you can enter ArchivesSearch.

• From the Search Collection tab in the blue banner at the top of this page
• From the link below to Access the Collection.

Related Information:

• Access the Collection

How Do I Use It To Find the Records I Want?

The search menu within ArchivesSearch offers different options:

• Keyword search
• Direct search
• Search in a series
• Name search

Help screens within the menu will explain how to use the different search options. Keyword searching is the best option if you are new to ArchivesSearch or archives in general. If you are familiar with the way archives work, and already have a reference ID for an agency or for a series of records, you can go straight to Direct Search.

Related Information:

• Archival Control Systems at State Records

When Do I Need To Register?

You do not need to register to search the collection.

When you first enter ArchivesSearch you are automatically logged on as a Guest User.

However, if you wish to order records for viewing, you will need to register. Once you are registered, you will have a User ID and password.

You can then use your User ID and password to log-on and order records for viewing in one of our research centres.

Related Information:

• Access to Official Records
• How Do I Order Records?

More Help Using ArchivesSearch

If you have forgotten or misplaced your User ID or password, please contact the Customer Service Officer.

Help screens within ArchivesSearch will guide you through searching, registering and ordering records.

If you are not sure where to begin your search, you might find it useful to browse our subject-based research guides and finding aids. These might help identify references to a series of records that could contain the information you seek. They will also give you useful terms for keyword searching. The guides and finding aids are available in the State Records Research Centres.

Related Information:

• How Do I Start My Research?
• Archival Control Systems at State Records
• Guides for Family History