The Victoria Coastal Passenger Lists, 1852-1924, held by the Public Record Office of Victoria, detail 3.2+ million passengers people arriving in Victoria from overseas and as well as other Australian ports, especially during the gold rush era of the 1850s and 1860s. The transcripts include a scan of the original record so you can check for extra information. The information given varies from record to record, but most will include name, age, estimated birth year, nationality, month and year of arrival, ship’s name, departure and destination ports and native place. The latter may mean place of birth but sometimes means last place of residence.
There are free searches available but a subscription or Pay As You Go is needed to access the transcripts and digitised original records.
TIP 1: It is common to find passengers listed by surname only, or surname and initial or as a family group (Mr and Mrs Murphy and two children) so keep your search terms broad.
TIP 2: Findmypast is available for free, onsite, at some state, public and family history libraries. Check what might be available onsite at a library near you. New
Helping you trace your family history in Australia and elsewhere
Helping you trace your family history in Australia and elsewhere