The index gives references to significant articles in newspapers, magazines, trade journals, and to in-house research files. The Library's Local History Index is also a useful source of information about goldfields places, both prominent and lesser-known.

Many of the newspapers that it lists are in the Library's collection. A gazetteer of newspapers from the central Victorian goldfields (1851-1901) (PDF, 567 kB) is available online. In this case, historic local newspapers often provide the most useful information. Many of the short-lived rushes or smaller settlements may not have detailed information published on them. Most of the publications referenced can be found at the Library. The references are organised by town/goldfield name. The book A contribution to the bibliography of the economic geology of Victoria to the end of 1903 (available online) lists hundreds of references to articles, reports and books about mining companies and operations. The Victorian government has published a number of excellent online archaeological histories of gold mining sites across Victoria, and histories of mining plots in Gippsland, North East, North West and South West Victoria. The 1872 Bendigo goldfield registry (available online) includes descriptions and plans of many of the local mines, reefs and goldfields. Robert Brough Smyth's 1869 book The gold fields and mineral districts of Victoria (available online) includes information about the geology and mining history of all major Victorian goldfields. The early histories of many goldfields towns are summarised in Flett's book The history of gold discovery in Victoria. For example, James Flett's detailed studies of Maryborough and Dunolly are well worth reading if you're researching the history of mining around those towns. These books often include information about goldfields and mining in the local area. When you're researching goldfields towns and diggings, start by searching our catalogue by place, district or shire name, to see if any local histories have been published.

List of minion names and pictures