As well as searching the three main library catalogues mentioned throughout this website (and below), local history researchers are advised to make contact with local historical societies and community groups. These groups offer limited online resources and will require a more direct approach in order to uncover specific information for research projects. That said, any research project should be governed by academic integrity principles to ensure that the information obtained is accurate.

New to this kind of thing? We’ve got you covered. Read on to learn more.

Image (above): Site for new Tallangatta township [1954]

Location: State Library of Victoria

Catalogue record: https://find.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/61SLV_INST/1sev8ar/alma9939648459607636

Direct link to image: http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/4219137

Evaluation: what is ‘good’ information?

We are living in an Information Age, human beings have never before had access to so much information. So much so, researchers are referring to it as “information pollution”¹. When undertaking any form of research, it’s important to be able to sort out the toxic gas from the clear, sweet smelling air, and that means knowing what kinds of information to look for and how to trust that information.

Without getting too technical, the best place to start is with primary and secondary resources. That is, original articles written by people who were there, or learned scholars evaluating and analysing those accounts (see more below).

We encourage everyone to question the information they are looking at. To get started, read the information below and watch the short videos as well.

If you would like more information, please consult your local librarian, or come and talk to us at the library in Tallangatta. Our friendly staff are here to help.

Primary and secondary resources

According to the Harvard Online Library, a primary resource is a “first-hand testimony or direct evidence concerning a topic under investigation. They are created by witnesses or recorders who experienced the events or conditions being documented.”²

Secondary resources engage with primary resources in order to analyse, synthesise or evaluate them within the context of specific research parameters. Historians, academics and students do this in conjunction with other primary and secondary articles that support, oppose and/or embellish the academic work being done.

Most of the resources found on this website and through the platforms provided below, are primary resources. Researchers and interested parties are encouraged to use the searchable catalogues provided below, and watch/read the attached information regarding authoritative resources in order to inform their own research practise.

For more information on Primary and Secondary Resources:

University of New South Wales Libraries: https://www.library.unsw.edu.au/using-the-library/information-resources/primary-and-secondary-sources

Learning how to evaluate a resource – a basic guide:

Thanks to our friends at the University of McMaster Libraries, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada³

For basic information on how to search a library catalogue:

Thanks to the good people at the National Library of Australia, Canberra, ACT⁴.

Where to start your research:

LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES

Tallangatta & Districts Heritage Group and Museum

This group is managed by local historian Ray Crispin. Ray is a font of information however, the Museum is open at irregular times and is located on Towong Street in Tallangatta. Best to call the Tallangatta Library (0260712955) before planning a trip to town to advise Ray you are coming.

History of Tallangatta Facebook Group

A group of approximately 1300 members, the resource shares a range of materials from a variety of sources. It has not been updated in recent times so more direct enquires to the administrator maybe required in order to acquire specific information.

Wodonga & District Historical Society

The WDHS is an active historical society and has a basic website. Unfortunately, there is no search engine attached to the website so it is difficult to find anything specific. Researchers are encouraged to make personal contact with members of the group, who respond quickly to enquiries.

LIBRARY CATALOGUES

Hyphen: Wodonga

The new library in the township of Wodonga, Victoria boasts a broad ranging collection of local historical artefacts and materials, including issues of the Upper Murray and Mitta Herald from August 1885 to January 1974 and the Wodonga and Towong Sentinel from September 1885 to March 1968. Unfortunately, the current version of the library catalogue doesn’t allow for a specific search of local history items, nor of historical newspapers. The reader is advised to contact the library directly for more details: https://www.hyphenwodonga.com.au/Contact

The Royal Historical Society of Victoria

Using the Catalogue search feature on this website, type in the term “Tallangatta” to reveal a host of different materials pertaining to both “Old” and “New” Tallangatta historical events.

Towong Shire Library Catalogue

Towong Integrated Community Centre, Library (Tallangatta), 33-37 Towong St. Tallangatta, Victoria.

The Towong Shire is Tallangatta’s home region. There are two libraries in the shire (a smaller library in Corryong and a larger, newer library in Tallangatta) that house a limited selection of local history materials, most are only able to be accessed within the physical confines of the library. The library is warm and welcoming and offers several formal and informal spaces for your study purposes.

The search engine uses fuzzy logic (meaning you don’t have to be too specific with your search terms) and the following search terms are recommended to locate historical items within the catalogue:

“History of Tallangatta”
“Tallangatta history”
“Tallangatta”
“History of Mitta Mitta”

State Library of Victoria

The State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, returns 551 results for a simple search of “Tallangatta, VIctoria” under the category “Everything except articles”. The results offer an array of cartography options, newspapers from the region, an array of articles about the township, books, council records, geological surveys, images of Tallangatta in both the old and new sites as well as memorabilia. Some items have been archived digitally and available immediately, others can be digitally requested for a fee. Other items are only available within the physical confines of the library.

See Imagery & Artefacts page for more details on searching this catalogue.

Trove – the National Library of Australia

A simple search of the vast Trove catalogue using the term “Tallangatta, Victoria” across all categories reveals 81,182 items. Refining the search either through the categories available or using the ‘Advanced Search’ option is recommended to locate articles, images and other artefacts.