The document provides an overview of the records held at the NSW State Archives relating to railway employees from the 19th and 20th centuries. It outlines key record series that can be used to find information about individuals who worked for the railways, including registers, personal history cards, photographs and records relating to specific railway occupations. The document encourages researchers to use multiple record types and consider sources beyond just the railway records that may provide context about a railway worker ancestor.
1. I’ve been working on the
railroad and elsewhere….
Selected sources in the NSW State archives
2. Session outline
Online resources including indexes
www.records.nsw.gov.au
Selected sources
19th century and 20th century records relating to railway
employees
Photographs
Tramway employees
Maritime- Watermen
3. Did your ancestor work on the Railways?
Marriage and/or death certificates may indicate that a person
worked for the railways.
Tip: Marriage certificates often give the occupation of the bride
and groom
There may be family papers or photographs.
There may be family stories.
Tip: Never assume…until you have checked the records!
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9. Online indexes – Railway records
State Records has a number of searchable indexes which may
assist in locating information about railway employees:
Nominal Roll of the First Railway Section (AIF), 1917-20
Railway Supply Detachment, 1914
Railway Employment Records 1856-1890, 1909-32
Government Railways and Tramways Roll of Honour, 1914-19
Tip 1: State Records holds many more records relating to
Railway employees in its collection.
Tip 2: Most of these records have not been copied and can
only be accessed in our reading room at Western Sydney.
10.
11.
12. Nominal Roll of the First Railway Section (AIF)
NRS 15905, Reel 3050, page 7
13.
14. Key 19th century sources
Government Gazette and Parliamentary Papers (Copies in
both reading rooms)
Register of Salaried Officers, 1856-90 [R297] (See online index
to Railway Employment Records)
Register of Electrical Engineers Employees [Branch] - extra
staff, 1891-1908, NRS 12921
20. Key 20th century sources
Personal History Cards
Employees born before 1900 (NRS 12922)
Employees born between 1900 and 1962 (NRS 19333)
Country and metropolitan employees 1928-86 (NRS 19375)
Tip 1: Check the website under Railway Employee records for more series
Tip 2: These records are covered by Access Direction AD 1184. Under
this direction the records are closed for 30 years from date of separation
Ambulance Corps Roll, 1886–1923 (R306)
Personnel Register – Darling Harbour, 1909–32 (NRS 15895)-
online index
Register of Deaths… Superannuation Board, 1910-85 [R351]
Retirement entitlements, payments and pension records, Railway
Services Superannuation Board, 1910-90 [R352]
38. Australian Railway Historical Society
• Index to Appointments and removals of employees listed in the
Railway Annual Reports 1888-1930
• Index to Chief Mechanical Engineer's staff circulars,NRS 15292
39. Photographs
State Rail Authority Archives Photographic Reference Print
Collection (NRS 17420) consists of reference prints and
negatives drawn from a variety of sources, primarily sources
within State Rail and it’s predecessor organisations.
Many of the photographs have been copied and can be
accessed via Photo Investigator
43. Other records
• Short Guide No 10 Occupations and Professions
• http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/guides-and-finding-
aids/short-guide-10/short-guide-10
• Arranged alphabetically by occupation/professional