Research
Preserving Our Past, Informing Our Future
Our research centre and archives exist to collect, protect and share the stories that shaped Bendigo’s Chinese community and continue to inspire generations.
The Joan Jack OAM Research Centre and Ming Yeung Library
The research centre and library exist to assist, promote and foster interest in the study of Australian Chinese history, particularly that of the Central Victorian Goldfields region. It houses a collection of copies, transcriptions, and indexes of a variety of historical records and resources, including naturalisation certificates, local cemetery records, council rates, family trees, and various research papers. Also available for viewing in our reference library is a collection of local history publications.
An indexed archive of over 21,000 newspaper articles covering central Victorian Chinese history from the 1850s to the present is also available for searching and viewing.
Family history files for over 300 Chinese-Australian families are available for viewing by family history researchers.
Museum Archives and Collections
Due to the age, condition and fragile nature of some items in storage, public access to the archives and collections for research is strictly limited to individual researchers and representatives from professional institutions and is by appointment only.
Donations
We welcome the offer of donations to the Ming Yeung Library of relevant Chinese Australian, local history, and family history publications. We also welcome the donation of family trees and documents to our Family History Files.
Donations of family histories enhances the understanding of life on the goldfields and the struggles of succeeding generations. Ensure that your family history is preserved, by depositing a copy with our research centre, so that it is accessible to future generations.
Please note though that the Museum is offered much more material and objects than it accepts and that donations are considered on a case-by-case basis before being accepted into the Collection.
Donations are accepted entirely at the Museums discretion and decision.