Ku-ring-gai Library local history collection

The Local History Collection consists of thousands of items including but not limited to:

• Books.
• Local newspapers/periodicals.
• Oral histories.
• Research files.
• Maps and plans.
• Council minutes and reports.
• Archival material from local organisations.
• Photographs.
• Historical property records.

To search the collection please visit the Library Catalogue.

For assistance with your research or to book an appointment contact: localhistory@krg.nsw.gov.au or 9424 0120.

Online Databases

Ku-ring-gai Library provides library members with free access to family history databases Ancestry Library Edition and Find My Past. Members can access these databases within the library on public computers or by connecting to the library's Wi-Fi using your personal device.

Family & House Reference Collection

Ku-ring-gai Library also has a number of family history resources that can assist you in your research including research guides, shipping records, electoral rolls and other resources with a focus on NSW. The Family & House Reference collection is based at Gordon Library and available for use during the library’s opening hours.

Archives Resources Kit (ARK)

Developed by the NSW State Archives, the ARK contains microfilm and microfiche copies of colonial records utilised for genealogical research. A number of these records are available for use at Gordon Library. A list of these records can be found on the library catalogue here.

For additional information about the ARK, visit the Museums of History NSW website.

For more information on the library’s family history resources please contact localhistory@krg.nsw.gov.au or 9424 0120.

Ku-ring-gai Library welcomes donations of materials unique to the history of the local area for the Local History Collection. Please note items for donation will be assessed in accordance with our collection development criteria, donations that do not meet the criteria may not be accepted.

Please contact the Local History staff if you are interested in making a donation: localhistory@krg.nsw.gov.au  or 9424 0120. 

Ku-ring-gai Library holds a collection of oral history interviews conducted with local residents to capture their memories and experiences of Ku-ring-gai. The interviews were recorded in the 1980s-1990s on cassette tape and have now been digitised to preserve them for future generations.

A selection of these interviews are now available on the Amplify platform run by the State Library of NSW. Amplify allows members of the community to assist in the transcription of oral history interviews online. The platform provides a machine generated transcript which volunteers can then text-correct as they listen to the interview.

We are now seeking interested community members who would like to assist transcribing these interviews from the comfort of their own home. To participate please follow the links below.

Amplify Ku-ring-gai 

How to use Amplify - tutorial 

This project is being run in partnership with the State Library of NSW. If you have any questions please contact the Local History Team.

Using some wonderful historical photographs from the Ku-ring-gai Library Local History Collection we have created a collection of online puzzles that you can access from home via the website Jigsaw Planet. We’ve created puzzles for range of ages so please take a moment to enjoy a puzzle and help us piece together our local history.

Ku-ring-gai Library puzzle page on Jigsaw Planet

Junior puzzles

Scenes from Gordon and Killara

Scenes from St Ives and Pymble

Scenes from Lindfield and Roseville

Scenes from Turramurra and Wahroonga