History Service

The History Service is located in the Elizabeth Civic Centre Library and provides resources and assistance for people who are researching the history of the local area and for those interested in tracing information about their own family's history.

The collection comprises local material relevant to the suburbs and townships within the city.

History Service staff and volunteers are on hand to assist with your research needs and to share with you the history of the local area.

Elizabeth Lions Club 1963 Elephant Race Fund Raiser

As we are expanding the collection continuously, donations of material relating to the area, such as diaries, programs, artefacts, club newsletters are valuable ways of documenting the history of the City.

Any information that tells us about early settlers, buildings, events or businesses in the district is vital to the collection.

Much of the material in the collection is irreplaceable and may only be accessed with the help of staff.

There are many additional services available through the History Service including:

• Outreach programs
• School projects, tertiary and university research
• Family history research
• District information and referrals to heritage agencies
• Conservation advice to help preserve your own material
• Group bus tours to local areas of historical interest
• Visits to schools within the city
• Local history displays

The ability to assist with family history research was introduced to the History Service in 1994 during the International Year of the Family.

There are a wide range of research aids, including more than 5000 microfiche, 1000 books and magazines, CD ROMS, online services, Parish Maps, genealogical data files and scanning facilities that will assist you to conduct research into your family history.

The History Service contains many valuable resources to assist with history research.

If you would like assistance with a history research query please complete an online History Service Research Request form.

Telephone: 08 8256 0343 or 08 8256 0382

Step back in time and gain an insight into education from the past. The Uleybury School was built in 1856 and restoration of the old school building was undertaken in 1978 and the building was reopened as a museum.

The original school room is fully furnished and includes information, photographs and memorabilia of past students.

The museum gives an insight into education of the past and old time school lessons are conducted. There is also a shed that offers a gallery of historical information about the City of Playford area inclusive of a model of the Lady Alice Mine and a puppet theatre of Jumbo the elephant believed to have lived in the Smithfield district of the City of playford.