However for the moment the two key URL that you need to know to search Archive records are https://www.qld.gov.au/dsiti/qsa/search#index-categories (for Indexes) and http://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/Search/BasicSearch.aspx (for the Catalogue).
When you opt to search an index, you must first select a category (such as Immigration) and then the specific data set within that category (such as Assisted Immigration 1848-1912). Note that some specific indices are very specific (like Rations issued to immigrants, Maryborough 1875-1884) so may not apply to your circumstances at all. Choose wisely. Once you have selected the index, you have the option of entering your search terms into the form at the bottom of the page or downloading your own copy of the data set through a link provided at the top right corner (which only becomes visible when you make that second specific selection). Although you will probably use the form provided to search on most occasions, if you find yourself coming back to search the same index repeatedly it may be worth saving a full copy to your computer and using the power of a spreadsheet to sort and filter it. The search boxes are meant to be intuitive; that is the software guesses what you are typing and offers what it thinks you will want. So after I typed Quee in the ship space underneath appeared QUEEN OF THE COLONIES. Begin to type MCA in the name field and nine possible McA surnames (from McAdam to McAullife) appear beneath where I can click on the one I want. This is very helpful but will only work if you type SLOWLY. Go too fast and the software gives up. And the suggestion appears only if the word you are typing is present in that specific index spelled in the way you were doing. | You do not need to fill in every search box. So you can search on a family name and a ship name without knowing the date of arrival. But be careful that too broad a search (such as immigrants of any name arriving in 1872) will take too long to run and will probably shut down without producing useful results. The search results will appear as a list under the search box. In some cases, it may include a hyperlink that opens a digitised record that you can view at home. Otherwise, click the green button to the left of the name to open a panel that tells you exactly how to access the file at QSA. Write down all the details (especially the page number) because you will need that later to avoid scanning every frame of a roll of microfilm. |