Queensland sources to which I have access include:

• Qld Registrar-General's microfiche indexes showing the exact event date for births to 1919, marriages to 1939, deaths to 1964.
• Qld Registrar-General's birth, marriage and death indexes 1829-1914 on CD-ROM (wildcard searches often find 'missing' entries).
• Qld Registrar-General's indexes on the Internet, including deaths to 1983.
• Various records that may name the father of an illegitimate child.
• 19th & 20th century immigration (including land orders and some unindexed passenger lists).
• Departing passengers' passport records 1915-1921 & 1926-1939.
• Most Supreme Court wills and intestacies (after mid-1890s, many include a death certificate).
• Justice Department inquest files (magisterial enquiries) and some 'no inquest' police enquiries into deaths.
• Some 'missing friends' registers.
• State electoral rolls (excellent for tracing descendants post-1920s; usually better than Commonwealth rolls).
• Mental asylum records (several different series).
• Naturalisations.
• Deed poll records created more than 100yrs ago.
• Qld Supreme Court divorce files.
• Insolvency files.
• Qld Police Gazettes (prisoners, fathers of illegitimate children, missing friends, photos etc.)
• Court and prison records.
• Criminal depositions (indexes / registers).
• Police watchhouse charge books.
• Some land selection files and mining leases.
• Local Government (Council) rate books / valuation registers.
• School admission registers from more than 15yrs ago.
• Some records of people in Dunwich Benevolent Asylum (19th and 20th century).
• Queensland old age pension records 1908+ (and charitable/outdoor relief 1899-1905).
• Imperial pensions (former British soldiers living in Qld 1872-1926).
• Hospital admission registers.
• Sources for researching hotels and publicans, and other occupational records (Public Service staff, railway employees, policemen, teachers, seamen, doctors, chemists, dentists, postmasters and postmistresses, nurses etc.)
• Qld Government Gazettes (including some indexes).
• Indexes and records of pre-1859 residents of Queensland (previously Moreton Bay Region of NSW).
• Other published and unpublished indexes.

Queensland has no census records with personal details, and no certificate transcription service, but before buying certificates, read 'Free Certificates in Archive Files'.

I specialise in research at Queensland State Archives. I am not usually available for research in other Brisbane repositories, but occasionally I will make an exception and visit the State Library of Qld (for newspapers etc.) or the National Archives Brisbane Office (Commonwealth electoral rolls 1903+, post-war migrants etc.)

Before requesting research, please read (1) 'Brief Guides' on the Qld State Archives Web site, and (2) the current edition of the book Tips for Queensland Research.

My qualifications

I have a Graduate Diploma in Local and Applied History (University of New England, Armidale). I started my own family tree in 1975, and I have been doing professional genealogical research since 1986. I am an accredited genealogical Record Agent, and as such I have undertaken to abide by a Code of Ethics. I frequently attend genealogy conferences and seminars (sometimes as a guest speaker). As the compiler of Specialist Indexes in Australia: a Genealogist's Guide, I have a good knowledge of available indexes for various areas. I have compiled indexes to many series of records held by Qld State Archives, and I was also employed by the Archives as an indexer. You are welcome to check my credentials and obtain references. My clients include family historians, professional genealogists, State Trustees, solicitors etc.

Policy

Your personal details, correspondence and research are confidential. I will never reveal your address to anyone unless you ask me to do so. I provide full source citations for all items used. I aim to be both professional and approachable, so if you have any concerns about my service please contact me.

Waiting time

I only work part-time, and I currently have a big backlog of research requests. My 'Copying Service' (for names that appear on my Web site) will continue as usual, but during 2013, I will accept very few requests for 'in-depth' work at the Archives. The information below is subject to change, but I will leave it here so that you have some idea what to expect when I resume full service.

'Copying Service' requests (for names in the indexes / lists on my Web site) are dealt with first. For more complex requests the waiting time depends on my workload and the nature of the task. If you need results within a few months for legal or other purposes, please discuss your requirements with me by email, as an additional 'priority fee' may apply and I would need to send you a different request form.

Fees

The nature of archival records is such that it is often impossible to predict how difficult or time-consuming a task will be. Most clients prefer to work in stages. At the end of each stage I will send a detailed report with my findings, plus suggestions for further research if indicated. You may then decide whether you wish to continue. A deposit is required before work can commence ($100 minimum unless otherwise agreed). A smaller deposit may be possible if your request is simple (eg, if you already have the exact date or Archives location number for a file). If you need certificates, land selection files or 'descendant tracing', a larger deposit is necessary.

Fees are based on costs incurred and time spent on handling the commission. This includes the time it takes to analyse information supplied, contact you for clarification if insufficient data is provided initially, plan the research, search the records, assess results, order and collect photocopies, prepare reports, and read and respond to emails. Out-of-pocket expenses are extra (photocopies, phonecalls, certificates, photographs, postage, packaging etc). Qld State Archives charge $1.20 per page for copies of original documents and $1 per page from microfilm. For non-urgent work I usually charge AUD$60 per hour plus out-of-pocket expenses. I do not charge for travel to Qld State Archives unless I make a special trip because you request priority service. If I need to visit another repository there is a $50 surcharge for travelling time, tolls, parking and fuel. If you send large email attachments without obtaining my approval in advance, download fees will apply if I am travelling.

My hourly rate covers non-billable expenses such as stationery, computer hardware and software, equipment repairs, Internet access, Webpage costs, electricity, ongoing education (genealogy seminars, conferences and journals), books/fiche/CD-ROMs for my home reference library, etc.

Payment methods

Whether you live in Australia or overseas, you have a choice of payment methods (this opens in a new window).

How to request research

A carefully prepared request will save you money and increase the chances of success. If you supply insufficient detail, time will be wasted and relevant material may be missed. It is the client's responsibility to provide full particulars of what is already known so that work is not duplicated.

1. Print the list of details you need to provide (this link opens in a new window).
2. Print the request form in PDF format or Microsoft Word format (it opens in a new window).
3. On the form, state clearly what you already know and what you are trying to accomplish. The Archives limit the number of pages taken into the search room, so summarise your information and requirements on pages 2-3.
4. Supply photocopies of certificates and a list of sources and time periods already checked (whether results were positive or negative). Cite sources fully and accurately. Be very specific!
5. For complex research and problem solving, make extra Family Group Sheets (page 3) for relatives of the subject. Researching a spouse, parents, siblings or children will often overcome dead ends.
6. Please specify if you want to pay extra to have documents sent by registered mail. There is no compensation if unregistered mail goes astray.
7. POST the request form, payment, copies of certificates etc to Judy Webster, PO Box 5043, Algester QLD 4115, Australia. For personal reasons, I cannot be contacted by phone.

Other comments / advice

• It is wise to check probate indexes before buying death certificates, because Qld probate files for the mid-1890s onwards usually include a death certificate. Unless otherwise instructed, I copy these items (if available) in probate files: original will; death certificate; inventory; grant of probate; any other documents that I consider useful (but not file covers, affidavit of search, bill of costs etc.)
• Before applying for certificates for dates where civil registration indexes are not available, use electoral rolls to confirm the year of death and the name used by the deceased.
• Email problems: I am sometimes unable to send email to a certain address. If you don't receive a reply, check your 'junk mail', or give me an alternative email address to try, or send a stamped self-addressed envelope with your enquiry to Judy Webster, PO Box 5043, Algester QLD 4115, Australia. My Web site always shows my current preferred and alternative email addresses, which are subject to change.
• My reports will include details of all sources searched, including those where nothing helpful was found. You are charged according to the time taken, and it takes just as long to search a source and find nothing, as it does to search it and find useful references.

Research in other States

It is my policy to recommend only those professional researchers whose services I have personally used, and whose work I consider to be of a very high standard. They include:

VIC research:

• Helen HARRIS (email address is on her Web site).

• Loreley MORLING, email (type this into an email).

NSW research:

• Martyn KILLION (currently available for research only in Sydney Benevolent Asylum records 1857-1900).
• Beryl CHESTERTON, 10 Emily Place, Cherrybrook NSW 2126.
• For NSW certificates, use a Transcription Agent such as Marilyn ROWAN or Joy MURRIN.

 Judy uses & recommends FindMyPast

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.judywebster.gil.com.au