Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates pre-1899 available for free 

Family history is an interest being taken up by older australians in large numbers. An absorbing interest, it keeps participants mentally alert into old age. However, it can be very expensive occupation as the birth, death and marriage certificates needed to complete a family tree properly cost on average $25 each and access and costs vary from state to state. Tasmania is the only state which has made pre-1899 certificates available free of charge on microfilm. Many pensioners can not afford to buy certificates and therefore are unable to complete their family histories, so this vital information in not passed down to the younger generations.

Please encourage all states to follow Tasmania's lead and make these certificates available for free initially on microfilm and then on the internet.