This project (known as the Newspaper Indexing Project) is creating three searchable database of Personal Notices from newspapers that are ‘work in progress’ being (at 31 May 2009):-

             The Deaths Index (Deaths, Funerals, In Memoriam and Lest We Forget Notices) comprising some 1,200,000 entries;
             The Births Index (Birth Notices) comprising some 320,000 entries; and
             The Wedding Anniversary Index (Anniversary Notices) comprising some 86,000 records.

The indexing allows researchers to locate the particular edition of the newspaper containing the notice.  These indexes are significant because of embargos placed upon the release of official BD&M registration information.  In many instance, newspapers are the main means of researching any recent information.

The Newspaper Coordinator and the Project team have the responsibility of managing the extraction, compilation, entry and checking  of personal notices into the Deaths  and Births databases.

The only statewide newspaper, The Advertiser, is the primary source for this material although some regional newspapers are being included when appropriately placed volunteer help can be found.

On completion, all notices from 1973 will have been indexed.

The Wedding Anniversaries has been compiled and made available to the Society courtesy Ian Shillabeer.

The indexing of Country newspapers is also being undertaken, but has been limited by the supply of newspapers.  The Society is keen to index personal notices in all Country Newspapers and would ask any interested members to contact the Society.

The Society currently holds hardcopy (Personal Notices 1974 onwards) and microfilm (full pre 2001) published in the Adelaide Advertiser newspaper and has these available for research.

To search for death and burials refer to the ‘Newspaper Database’ page and the find out more about the project, you are invited to refer to the ‘Newspaper Fact Sheet’.