Local Archives

Ron Maidment Archives Room

 

Located: Within the Capel Library, 31 Forrest Road, Capel

Opening Hours: Thursdays & Fridays 10 am – 4 pm

The Ron Maidment Archives Room was named after a local community member Ron Maidment who donated a significant sum of money into building the purpose-built room as well as providing an enormous number of interesting papers and artefacts.

The Collection preserves and celebrates places, people and activities within the Shire of Capel

Volunteers

Our Volunteers are the backbone of our Archives, providing local knowledge and helping with organising and storing the enormous amount of information that is donated.

Thank you to our dedicated volunteers: Judy, Yda, Sandy, Eric, Jennifer and Jenni.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact the Library Officer Archives.

localhistory@capel.wa.gov.au

Local History Collection

Our local history collection includes the following resources:

  • Photographs
  • Cemetery and Heritage Registers
  • World War and local veterans’ information
  • Maps
  • Oral histories and transcripts
  • Books and reports
  • Local Newspapers
  • Rate Books
  • Family History
  • Museum objects such as textiles, original Shire Hall artefacts, and honour boards.
  • Small ephemeral collections such as signed bibles, trophies and materials.

Featured Oral History Interviews

 

    Donations

    Donations of historical and contemporary images, ephemera and documents about the Shire of Capel, families residing within the Shire, residents, events, businesses, and industries are encouraged and warmly received.

    Local Studies Collection Policy

    If your donation is accepted, we will ask that you kindly complete our Accession and Details form so that we may share your special items with our community.

    Accession & Details Form

    Research Requests

    We accept Research Requests via email or in person.

    Please provide as much detail as possible when completing your request, as this will assist us in providing the information you need.

    Research Request Form

    Please forward your completed request form to

    localhistory@capel.wa.gov.au

    or phone us on 08 9727 0290 if you require further assistance.

    Just a Horse Ride Away: A History of the Shire of Capel and Its People

    Book cover

    Just a Horse Ride Away is a wonderful collection of stories as told by residents of the Shire of Capel. 

    The first edition of Just a Horse Ride Away was published by the Shire of Capel in 1995 and reprinted in 2006.

    Just a Horse Ride Away may be viewed in the Ron Maidment Archives, is available to borrow from all Shire of Capel Libraries or, you can purchase from the Capel Library. 

    Digital Collections

     

    Collections WA

    Many of our local history collection items are available to access on Collections WA. Collections WA is a free, searchable platform that brings together collections from organisations across Western Australia such as libraries, galleries, museums, archives and historical societies.

    Shire of Capel collection

    State Library Heritage Collection

    The State Library Heritage Collection includes many resources covering the history of Capel and its people.

    State Library Heritage Collection

    Capel District Cemeteries (CDC) Project Inc

    Capel Cemetry with trees

    The Capel District Cemeteries Project began in 2017 with the Capel Cemetery Survey.  Since then, a group of dedicated volunteers have worked continuously to compile and expand a register of persons at rest at the Capel Cemetery.

    The Register is available to view or download from the

    Capel District Cemeteries Project

    The CDC research team meets every second Wednesday, at the Ron Maidment Archive Room, inside the Capel Public Library. 

    Drop in and chat to the team and find out what they have been working on lately. 

    Local History & Genealogy Resources Online 

    Local History

    Local Studies - City of Busselton Libraries

    Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre

    Dardanup Heritage Collective

    South West Rail and Heritage Centre

    WA Links

    J.S Battye Library of Western Australia
    The Police Gazette of Western Australia
    State Records Office
    Landgate
    Inherit
    The West Australian Post Office Directories
    West Australian Genealogical Society

    Australian Links

    Trove
    Ancestry.com
    Australian War Memorial
    National Archives of Australia