Sydney Reference Collection
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Accessing Building Application Records | Assessment Books 1845 - 1950 | Citations for Archival Records | Demolition Photographs 1900 - 1949 | Records of Councils Absorbed by Sydney City Council | Sydney Reference Collection
This leaflet has been produced to guide researchers in the use of the Sydney Reference Collection. Please read this leaflet carefully before you visit the City of Sydney Archives to make use of the Sydney Reference Collection.
What is the Sydney Reference Collection?
The Sydney Reference Collection (SRC) is a permanent collection of current and retrospective materials in a variety of formats relating to the study of all aspects of the City of Sydney. The SRC was created in 1998 by amalgamating the City of Sydney Library's Local Studies Collection with the City of Sydney Archives' Reference Collection. It is a resource that complements the archival records of the City of Sydney.
The purpose of the Sydney Reference Collection is to:
- support the business of the Council, and
- serve the research access requirements of the community, by providing non-archival historical information about the City, and timely access to it.
The major subject strengths of the collection include the City’s built environment, municipal history and social history. As the history of the City of Sydney forms part of a larger social and urban history, published works of the wider Sydney region may also be included in the SRC.
Currently, the collection areas have expanded to include materials relating to the City’s villages, indigenous history, cultural history, political history and its personalities, and monographs and serials relating to the Archive profession.
What materials can be found in the Sydney Reference Collection?
Monographs - accessed via the City of Sydney’s Library catalogue
Books, published reports, and Conservation Management Plans can be discovered via the City of Sydney’s library catalogue. It is not possible to request books via the library catalogue and materials in the SRC are not available for borrowing. All research and reading must be done at the Archives, in our reading room. Photocopying and scanning facilities are available.
We aim to build a comprehensive collection of published books about Sydney, not only history but all aspects of living in the City, from restaurant guides to crime fiction set in Sydney. If you know of a book that we don’t have, or might be interested in, e-mail details to us at archives@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Reports published by the City of Sydney or other government agencies can cover topics as diverse as flood control programs, traffic management plans, environmental and heritage studies.
Business and Residential Directories - contact Archives for access
Sand's Sydney Directory (1858-1932/33) is available in the SRC. Access is normally provided by microfiche copies. This Directory is a useful starting place if you are trying to locate people who lived in Sydney, or their addresses, or to find a business that was operating in Sydney.
Information Files – contact Archives to access the Index of files
The Information Files are arranged alphabetically by name or subject. They can contain a wide variety of documents, depending on what we have collected, including: news clippings, pamphlets, brochures, election handouts, theatre programs and other ephemera.
Aldermen’s Files – contact Archives to access the Index of files
Aldermen have been called Councillors since 1993. We have a file containing biographical information about every person who has ever been a Mayor, Lord Mayor or Alderman/Councillor of the City of Sydney. There are also files on the Town Clerks and some other senior officers over the years. These files contain only information that is in the public domain (such as news clippings).
We are gradually extending coverage of these files to the suburban Councils absorbed into the City over the years: Alexandria, Darlington, Erskineville, Glebe, Newtown, Paddington, Redfern, Waterloo (all 1949), South Sydney Municipal Council (1981) and South Sydney City Council (2004).
Newspaper Indexes – contact Archives to access paper indexes
The old card indexes Old Sydney Peeps at the Past and Australiana cover newspaper clippings books prepared by staff of the City of Sydney Library and dating from approximately 1906 to 1987. Old Sydney and Peeps at the Past relate specifically to several historical columns in Sydney newspapers, while Australiana is a more general clippings file. The clippings books themselves are too fragile for browsing, but it may be possible to provide you with a photocopy of any item you find in the indexes.
The card indexes have been digitised but are not yet available online. Discuss with an archivist if you would like to see the indexes for your research. We are looking at digitising the actual clippings.
Access Services
To make use of the Sydney Reference Collection you will need to first contact Archives on 9265 9618 or email us at archives@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au to arrange an appointment time to view materials. This applies even if you have used the City’s Library Catalogue to identify a book held in the SRC.
The City of Sydney Archives is located on Level 21 of Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street, Sydney (at the corner of Kent and Druitt Streets). The Archives is open 9.00am to 4.30pm every business day. An appointment is necessary. Please telephone (02 9265 9618), or drop by the Archives, to make an appointment.
