Many locals and visitors to Kalgoorlie Boulder are in search of that little piece of Kalgoorlie's past that is significant to them. Whether it be family history information, historic buildings and hotels, photographs, records, maps or memorabilia, there are many services on offer to aid finding that little historical treasure hidden among the Goldfields.
History and Heritage Unit
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder's History and Heritage Unit is home to local history and archives. They are located in the Boulder Town Hall and include council documents, historical books and videos, microfiche index of births, deaths and marriages since 1841, microfiche Pioneers index, Legislative Assembly role since 1904 and various Goldfields' Newspapers since 1895 on microfilm.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday - 10.00am to 4:00pm (excluding public holidays)
Ph: (08) 9021 9817
Email: mThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information on the History and Heritage Unit, visit www.ckb.wa.gov.au
Photo courtesy of City of Kalgoorlie Boulder
Eastern Goldfields Historical Society
The Eastern Goldfields Historical Society preserves, promotes, researches and records the history of the Eastern Goldfields. They hold a large range of historic photographs, interesting museum pieces, extensive source of reference materials and an impressive collection of Goldfields books in their library and bookshop. Researchers are more than welcome to visit the Society, who are located in the Old Boulder Municipal Power Station Building, Hamilton Street, Boulder.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday - 9:00am to 2:00pm
Ph: (08) 9093 3360
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Alternatively, if you are unable to visit in person, a research request form can be
completed on their website, visit www.kalgoorliehistory.org.au
Photo courtesy of City of Kalgoorlie Boulder
Golden Quest Discovery Trail
The Golden Quest Discovery Trail is a 965 kilometre self-drive adventure through the Goldfields, and can be enjoyed in parts or as a whole. The trail encompasses the amazing history of the region and the isolated beauty of the bush is simply breathtaking. Capturing the essence of the historic, cultural and spiritual Goldfields, the Golden Quest Discovery Trail traverses 965kms through the Shires of Coolgardie, Menzies, Leonora, Laverton, Dundas and the City of Kalgoorlie Boulder. When touring the Goldfields today, you will still encounter people from all parts of the globe. Some will be fellow visitors, others will be among those who have chosen to call the Goldfields home.You can get your Golden Quest Discovery Trail Guide Book right here at our centre, which includes full colour sections on each of the 25 sites, times and distances between sites, detailed map and dramatised stories of the goldrush era.
Pop in and see us or visit www.goldenquesttrail.com for more information on accommodation and travel tips along the Trail.
Photo courtesy of Jessica Wood
Kalgoorlie Boulder Cemetery Board
The Kalgoorlie Boulder Cemetery Board provides a comprehensive search service to locate burial records in the Eastern Goldfields region. The first "official" burial took place in Kalgoorlie in 1896, with "unofficial" burials taking place between 1894 and 1895. There are more than 20,000 burials recorded to present. A card index has been compiled for the Kalgoorlie Cemetery, as well as several abandoned cemeteries in the Eastern Goldfields. Although information varies between individual registers, the basic information given in most cases is Name and Age of Deceased, Date and Place of Burial, Religious Denomination and Officiating Minister and Undertaker. Where a headstone can be transcribed, there may be further family information. Grave location maps are also provided where possible. The Kalgoorlie Boulder Cemetery Board Office is located at the Kalgoorlie Cemetery on Memorial Drive.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday - 9:30am to 11:00am and 12:00pm to 2:30pm
Ph: (08) 9091 1693
Postal: PO Box 79, Kalgoorlie, 6430
Outback Family History
The Outback Family History was founded in 2009. The aim of the website is simple, to make documents and photographs about local and family history of the rich and diverse Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia, available to everyone free of charge. This area covers almost a third of the state as it takes in Meekatharra in the North, Southern Cross in the west, Norseman in the south and out towards the South Australian border. The historical collection is extensive and the information contained in the site includes cemeteries, employment, family and school records and much much more. New records are being uploaded each week and are detailed in the Facebook page and Blog. Be sure to subscribe to these to keep up with the latest additions. Outback Family History are committed to adding new information and actively seeking out new records in order to provide a comprehensive permanent source of reference to everyone, with an interest and shared passion in the history of the West Australian Goldfields.
Ph: 0438 935 981
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information, visit www.outbackfamilyhistory.com.au
