Before you can properly research your ancestors or local history, you need a good knowledge of the local area, towns and municipalities, and the location of key local records.

Most local Historical Societies and Family History Groups will have copies of local records or indexes that will help in your local or family history research.  In particular, the Geelong Heritage Centre has extensive local council collections for research.  More and more, people are researching land, houses and towns where their ancestors lived - hopefully some of these links and files will help you with your research.

• Places in our Region c.1882-1890 - what were they like more than 100 years ago?

• Towns, Places and Parishes in our region - current and former names, current and former municipalities

• Former and current municipalities and the location of rate and valuation books

• Where is or was it?  Some of these questions answered

• BDM Index abbreviations - local knowledge helps