William Alfred Hall was the son of a pioneer of Williamstown. His father, also William Hall, settled there in 1840 and became a prominent and wealthy citizen. The younger William Hall was born about 1857. He developed a lifelong interest in Williamstown and its history. He was a councillor in the Royal Historical Society of Victoria 1933-35, and contributed articles to the Victorian Historical Magazine. He was also active in the Early Pioneers Association.

Hall compiled a register of shipping movements in Port Phillip and other ports between 1802 (?) and 1838.

He died on 5 August 1937, at the age of 80.

Manuscripts collected by William Alfred Hall (1857-1937) are held in the State Library of Victoria: an index of Victorian genealogical records; newspaper cuttings relating to the history of Victoria 1890-1935; and a record of vessels which passed through Port Phillip Heads from 1 February 1802 to 31 December 1838, and vessels which arrived in Portland Bay and Port Fairy November 1828 to 18 March 1837.

References:
Hall, W.A., Index of Victorian Genealogical Records (State Library of Victoria)
The Port Phillip Pioneers Group website http://home.vicnet.net.au/~pioneers/pppg5am.htm

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