Hawkesbury

Hawkesbury Library Service ~ Local Studies Collection

The Local Studies Collection was established in the early 1980s to care for material relevant to the local Hawkesbury community and make accessible to the public. The Local Studies Collection has a variety of materials, historical and current, available for research. 

Published books and Newsletters

Books and newsletters relating to the Hawkesbury district on local history, architecture, local families, genealogy and Australian history and local environmental reports.

Church, Cemetery and Census Records

A large number of cemetery inscriptions and church registers relating to the Hawkesbury and surrounding area. Various musters and census are also held in the collection.

Newspapers

Hawkesbury newspapers produced during the 19th & 20th centuries now form part of the Australian Digitisation Program available for free on Trove. 

The Australian: Windsor, Richmond & Hawkesbury Advertiser

Hawkesbury Library Service sponsored the digitisation of these newspapers covering 1840s to 1955. Copies of these newspapers as well as 1955 to present, are also held on microfilm.

Photographs and Maps

A large collection of images of the Hawkesbury district are held. Most of these images have been scanned with a large number indexed. The database, known as Hawkesbury Images, is only available to consult in the Library at present. The Library is always seeking to add additional images and moving pictures (movie, video or DVD) to the collection. Historical, geographical, topographical and parish maps of the district are held.

Macquarie Arms Hotel, Windsor circa 1870s.
Courtesy Hawkesbury Library Service.

eResources

Many eResources relating to family history are held including subscriptions to AncestryLibrary and Find My Past. There are many resources available to access on the Local Studies PC including BDM indexes, NSW Government Gazettes and Police Gazettes. 

Other material

A wide range of additional material relating to the people and places in the Hawkesbury including Pamphlets, clippings, ephemera, wills, directories, electoral rolls, convict data, publican licences, shipping and land grants. Also the Arndell Index to Hawkesbury Pioneers and the Mutch Index.

Research

A personal visit to the library is recommended as the best way to further your research. Library staff can assist by directing researchers to various sources. If you are making a special research visit contact the Local Studies Librarian beforehand to discuss your specific needs. A basic Research Service is available, for those unable to visit and may incur a charge. Contact the Local Studies Librarian for further information.

Access and Facilities

Items are not for loan but free to access. The collection is accessible during library opening hours. Check the library catalogue online. Facilities include film/fiche reader/scanner/printers as well as colour/B&W photocopiers (A3 & A4)

Specialised Fact Sheets are also available to consult on the Library webpage

Donations
The Local Studies section is interested in acquiring material relating to the Hawkesbury district and the collection has benefited enormously from the generosity of donors and lenders, over the years. If you wish to keep your originals, we are happy to arrange copying or scanning.

CONTACT US
Michelle Nichols (Local Studies & Outreach Librarian)

HAWKESBURY LIBRARY SERVICE
Deerubbin Centre
300 George Street Windsor NSW 2756
PHONE: (02) 4560 4466 or 4560 4460
FAX: (02) 4560 4472
EMAIL history@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au

OPENING HOURS
Monday to Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm & Sunday 2pm - 5pm
Closed Public holidays

VISIT OUR WEB SITE
www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/library