Community History
COMMUNITYHISTORY
Connected to Culture
Explore the local studies collection like never before!
Connected to Culture brings together unique photographs and research from the Local Studies collection to tell the unique stories of Georges River.
Historical Markers Program
Our Local Studies team is proud to be involved in the Historical Markers Program
Find out more about the Historical Markers Program.
Applications now open for the 2026 Historical Markers Program!
- Applications open Thursday 11 September 2025
- Applications close Sunday 17 May 2026.
Take a virtual tour of existing Historical Markers.
Research
Georges River Libraries have two local studies research rooms:
- Hatton Room at Clive James Library, Kogarah
- Community History Research Room at Hurstville Library
These rooms are available for use during Library open hours.
You can make a research enquiry with the Community History team, this will ensure that you are directed to the correct location to fulfil your request.
Contact the Community History Team to submit your enquiry.
The first 30 minutes is free, with longer research attracting a fee. View the Georges River Council fees and charges for a list of current fees.
Image and Map Collection
The Georges River Libraries Image collection contains more than 6,000 photographs of the local area, including people, places, buildings and events since the 1800s.
Discover the history of your local area with our Map Collection that includes Parish Maps and subdivision plans, documenting the development of the area.
Books, Manuscripts and Newspapers
Our collection includes published material about the history of the Georges River area.
Books and Manuscripts
- River, road and rail: a history of Kogarah Municipality
- The Hurstville Story
Vertical Files
- Files are on a particular person, topic or event, which contain a range of items including newspaper clippings, original publications, pamphlets and ephemera
Newspapers
- Microfilm: St George Call (Kogarah) 1904-1957, The St George and Sutherland Leader (St George) 1960-present, The Propeller (Hurstville) 1911-1954, Sydney Morning Herald 1995-2006
- SMH Archives 1955-1995
Online Resources
Get started with your family history research in the library with our online resources.
Access valuable resources:
- Ancestry Library Edition
- Find My Past
- Sydney Morning Herald Archives 1955-1995
- And more...
How to Search the Collection
The Local Studies Collection is searchable via the library catalogue and is the best place to start.
If you need further assistance, you can contact the Community History Team
Georges River Local Studies Blog
The Georges River Libraries Local Studies Blog contains posts that shed light on some lesser known stories from the area.
Find out more about our history from our Local Studies Blog
Donations
Georges River Libraries aims to collect, record, research, display and store items that exemplify the history of the St George region. The Library encourages donations of items in good condition from the community.
These items must have a significant connection to the St George area and could include:
- Artefacts and objects
- Local studies materials and photographs
- Artworks
Find out more about our donation process