Newspapers
Western Australian Newspapers Microfilm Index
The Battye Library has indexed The West Australian from 1833-1898 and 1950-1987 for articles relating to Western Australia and Western Australians. No indexing has been carried out for the period 1898-1949.
The West Australian Newspapers Microfilm Index was compiled by the staff of the library of The West Australian and covers September 1902-1953 and July 1959-1987 (from 1974 The Daily News is also included). All articles published in The West Australian are indexed. For 1902-1929 the index is divided alphabetically, i.e., entries are made by subject under each letter of the alphabet. If searching for articles relating to a particular person the letter of the alphabet which starts the surname of the person should be checked.
After 1930 the index is arranged by subject. At the beginning of each alphabetical subject series references to people are contained in the heading 'Personal', i.e., A Personal, B Personal etc. References to the paper, page and column number and a precis of the article are given. The Battye Library holds a copy of this index on microfilm.
Western Australian Newspapers Database
On 3 August 1987, direct indexing of The West Australian onto a database was begun ( The Kalgoorlie Miner and The Countryman are also indexed). The Battye Library has on-line access to this database and no longer carries out any indexing of The West Australian. Staff will carry out searches for Western Australian related articles, but the service is not available on demand. It is possible to search for the names of people on this database, but it does not include birth, death and marriage notices.
National Library of Australia Newspapers Database
In 2008 the National Library of Australia began digitising Australian newspapers and making them searchable via their Trove database. The West Australian 1833-1954, the Western Mail 1885-1954, the Sunday Times 1897-1954 and the Western Argus (Kalgoorlie) 1894-1938 will be digitised. Other newspapers may follow as funding permits. Searches can be made for the names of people in this database.
“Can You Help”
"Can you help" from the West Australian newspaper
[Bayswater] : Western Australian Genealogical Society. [929.39 CAN]
Microfiche index of The West Australian’s “Can You Help” column. Shows names remarks and date of newspaper. Many people are searching for help in researching their family history and you may be able to find some useful contacts.