Williamstown Historical Society
Williamstown and Districts Historical Society
Williamstown and local areas has a unique place in South Australia's history and embraces stories of some of the well known identities in colonial history.
Explorers, overlanders, bushrangers, timber getters and miners are some of the very earliest groups of people in the area all contributing to the rich tapestry of life.
Land was taken up as early as 1839 and the area developed into a centre of pastoral excellence of the State with a long enduring reputation mainly associated with the Scottish. There were agricultural pursuits as well with orchards and vineyards developed to suit domestic and economic interests.
The cultural landscape has changed over the years with the building of the reservoirs and the development of the forestry plantations.
Formerly known as Victoria Creek, Williamstown itself was established 18 years after the first settlers arrived - and by this time some of the earliest identities had long gone seeking or generating their fortunes elsewhere.
The history and culture of Williamstown and districts is built on 170 years of activities, heartache and achievement across many spectrums of life - from the kings of the pastoral world, to the miners scratching for their meals and the farm workers and domestics - all contributing to the heritage of the area.
We have a band of dedicated people with varying interests covering genealogy, mining, pastoral development, reservoir construction, early colonial history and much more.
Our collection includes archival material about Mt Crawford, Williamstown, Pewsey Vale, Barossa Goldfields and surrounding areas.
Resources include SA family and town local histories, SA Births, Deaths and Marriages on CD ROM, index of Church, burial and cemetery records, Council and school records, photograph index and photographs on CD ROM, minute books of local committees, newspaper cuttings and oral histories. Local research includes family names on CD ROM, Lyndoch Valley Special Survey, Barossa Special Survey, Barossa mines and construction of the three reservoirs.
The Society's rooms are located in the Williamstown Hall and are open on the first Sunday of the month from 9:30 am until 3:00pm.
For further information call:
President: Roger Holmes 8563 3027
Vice President: Norm Webb 8524 6102
Secretary: Prue McDonald 8524 6304
Treasurer: Sue Poole 8524 6379
Publicity: Ingrid Eidam 8524 6325
Or by appointment contact Sue Poole 8524 6739 / 0429 197 667.
The Historical Society also helps with school and research projects of the local area.
The Society meets every three months - February, May, August and November
Can you help with information on family and local histories, photographs, minute books, oral histories from the above areas? We will accept any information on a loan, copy or donation basis.