 |
A
Guide to New South Wales State Archives relating to Aboriginal People |
Part 2:
State Archives from other Government Agencies relating to Aboriginal People (cont.)
- COLONIAL
SECRETARY
- 1 Letters received. 1829
- 2 Letters received. 1835 - Aborigines,
1833-35
- 3 Letters received. 1836 - Aborigines
- 4 Letters received. 1839 - Aborigines
- 5 Letters received. 1840 - Aborigines
- 6 Letters received. 1849 - Aborigines
- 7 Copies of Letters to Magistrates,
Police etc, 1826-56
- 8 Copies of Letters to Magistrates
beyond the settled districts, 1847-55
- 9 Copies of Letters to Mounted Police,
1846-50
- 10 Special bundles. Aboriginal or
Native Institution, Parramatta. Letters and accounts, 1814-23
- 11 Special bundles. London Missionary
Society - re Aboriginal reserve at Lake Macquarie, 1825-45
- 12 Special bundles. London Missionary
Society - re Rev. Threlkeld's Aboriginal Mission, circa 1827
- 13 Special bundles. Aboriginal
Outrages, 1830-31
- 14 Special bundles. Blankets for
Aborigines, 1832
- 15 Special bundles. Aborigines -
Papers, including returns of Aborigines taken at Bathurst, Windsor, Strathallan, Janevalle
and Brownlowshire, 1833-35
- 16 Special bundles. Aborigines - Papers
dealing with issue of blankets etc. and including returns of the native population in the
various districts, 1833-35
- 17 Special bundles. Extracts of
Proceedings of the Executive Council, including those relating to Major Mitchell's attack
on the Aborigines during his expedition in 1836, 1835-38
- 18 Special bundles. Aborigines and
Native Police, 1835-44
- 19 Special bundles. Aborigines -
Distribution of blankets, 1838-43
- 20 Special bundles. Aborigines - Chief
Protector's Report of expedition to the Westward, 1842
- 21 Special bundles. Journal of
Assistant Protector Thomas' proceedings at Aboriginal Station, River Loddon, for quarter
ended February 1845
- 22 Special bundles. Reports respecting
collisions between Aborigines and the Police at Port Phillip, 1846
- 23 Special bundles. Reserves for
Aborigines, 1848-49
- 24 Special bundles. Wide Bay District -
letters from Commissioners of Crown Lands, the Commandant of the Native Police, and the
Government Resident, Moreton Bay, 1849-57
- 25 Special bundles. Annual reports on
state of the Aborigines in the various districts, 1851-53
- 26 Special bundles. Return of the
distribution of Native Police on 31 December 1854
- 27 Special bundles. Returns of the
Civil Establishment - Native Police, 1854-57
- 28 Special bundles. Native Police,
Moreton Bay, 1855-58
- 29 Special bundles. Estimate of the
expense of the Native Police Force, 1857
- 30 Special bundles. Reports from Rev.
W. Ridley on Aboriginal language and customs, 1871-75
- 31 Special bundles. Petition re death
sentence passed on Aboriginals named Alfred Alexander Metcalfe and Charles E. Wilkinson,
1879
- 32 Aborigines' Protection - Report of
the Public Service Board, 16 August 1938
Part 2: State Archives from other Government Agencies
relating to Aboriginal People (cont.)
COLONIAL SECRETARY
later CHIEF SECRETARY later SERVICES
The material listed in this section originated in the offices of the Secretary to the
Governor, 1788-1820, the Colonial Secretary, 1821-1900, and the Chief Secretary from 1901.
The ministerial title of Colonial Secretary was changed to that of Chief Secretary on 1
April 1959 by the Ministers of the Crown Act 1959 (No. 4). Between 3 January 1975
and 23 January 1976 the department was titled the Department of Services; between 23
January 1976 and 14 May 1976, the Chief Secretary's Department; on 14 May 1976 its title
reverted to Department of Services. The Department of Services was abolished in July 1982.
The Chief Secretary's Department was revived in 1988 and abolished again in 1995.
The Colonial Secretary's Office looked after a wide range of matters. Besides the
functions specifically assigned to the Colonial Secretary, he was responsible for all
matters of internal arrangement not confided in any other Minister; as well as being
responsible for the supervision and control of many other Departments (eg. Clerks of Petty
Sessions, Auditor General, Inspector General of Police and Police magistrates, etc.).
Until the creation of the Aborigines Protection Board (which was also under the control
of the Colonial Secretary) the Colonial Secretary's Office had overall responsibility for
official relations with the Aboriginal people. It is therefore strongly recommended that
persons undertaking Aboriginal family and personal history make a thorough search of the
Colonial Secretary's correspondence. (An unpublished guide to the Colonial Secretary's
Correspondence, 1788-1982 is available in the Archives Authority's Search Rooms.)
The following is a selected list of records created by the Colonial Secretary's Office.
1 Letters received. 1829
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
This bundle of letters contains returns of Aboriginal people in various districts sent
to the Colonial Secretary by Benches of Magistrates. This was in response to a circular
sent to the Magistrates by the Colonial Secretary on 31 March 1827 requesting details of
Aboriginal people for the 1828 Census of New South Wales. The returns comprise either a
statistical return or names of Aboriginal people in each area.
2 Letters received. 1835
- Aborigines, 1833-35
These records may be examined on microfilm in both Archives
Authority Search Rooms.
| Reference Numbers |
4/2219.1, AO Reel 3706 |
3 Letters received. 1836
- Aborigines
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
| Reference Number |
4/2302.1 |
4 Letters received. 1839
- Aborigines
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
| Reference Number |
4/2433.1 |
5 Letters received. 1840
- Aborigines
These records may be examined on microfilm in both Archives
Authority Search Rooms.
| Reference Numbers |
4/2479.1, AO Reel 1927 |
6 Letters received. 1849
- Aborigines
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
After this date, there are no more annual bundles of letters relating to Aboriginal
people. Goodall's book has a list of those bundles found most useful in this later period.
(See Appendix
3 for details of this book.)
| Reference Numbers |
4/2831.1, 4/1141.2 |
7 Copies of Letters to
Magistrates, Police etc, 1826-56
These records may be examined on microfilm in both Archives
Authority Search Rooms.
From 1827 to 1846 the Commandants of the Mounted Police are addressed, after which
these letters are in Copies of Letters to
Mounted Police, 1846-50. From 1845 Letters to the Commissioner of Police
are included. After 1846 letters to Magistrates beyond the settled districts are in Copies of Letters to Magistrates beyond the
settled districts, 1847-55. After 9 March 1855 letters to these officials
are once again entered, without any distinction, in the same book as letters to
magistrates within the settled districts. The letters, besides being concerned with the
police function of apprehending criminals, including bushrangers, contain the instructions
to magistrates for carrying out the general administrative business of Government.
| Reference Numbers |
4/3825-3859; AO Reels 2807-2818 |
8 Copies of Letters to
Magistrates beyond the settled districts, 1847-55
These records may be examined on microfilm in both Archives
Authority Search Rooms.
The letters in the series are concerned with such matters as conflict with Aboriginal
people; the `protection' of Aboriginal people; appointment of clerks, constables and other
officials; the court house, lock-up and other buildings; and licensing. The letters to the
Commandant of the Native Police deal with supplies of arms and rations to them and various
incidents with Aboriginal people. Matters before these dates are in Copies of Letters to Mounted Police, 1846-50.
| Reference Numbers |
4/3860-62, 4/3858 part; microfilm copy AO Reels
2817-2819 |
9 Copies of Letters to
Mounted Police, 1846-50
These records may be examined on microfilm in both Archives
Authority Search Rooms.
The letters are concerned with appointments to the force, rations and arms supplied,
conflict with Aboriginal people, escort of prisoners, robberies and bushrangers, and
barracks and quarters. From 1827 to 1846 see Copies of Letters to Magistrates, Police etc, 1826-56.
| Reference Numbers |
4/3863; AO Reel 2819 |
10 Special bundles.
Aboriginal or Native Institution, Parramatta. Letters and accounts, 1814-23
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
11 Special bundles.
London Missionary Society - re Aboriginal reserve at Lake Macquarie, 1825-45
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
12 Special bundles.
London Missionary Society - re Rev. Threlkeld's Aboriginal Mission, circa 1827
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
This correspondence concerns the London Missionary Society's wish to retain the 10,000
acres originally allocated as an Aboriginal Reserve at Lake Macquarie. There is mention of
emoluments given to the Rev. Lancelot Edward Threlkeld by the Colonial Government. There
are also two copies of the Rev. Threlkeld's publication An Australian Spelling Book in
the Language Spoken by the Aborigines, printed in 1836. The copies of
Threlkeld's publication are located in SZ 1000.
| Reference Number |
2/8017.8 |
13 Special bundles.
Aboriginal Outrages, 1830-31
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
| Reference Number |
2/8020.4 |
14 Special bundles.
Blankets for Aborigines, 1832
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
15 Special bundles.
Aborigines - Papers, including returns of Aborigines taken at Bathurst, Windsor,
Strathallan, Janevalle and Brownlowshire, 1833-35
These records may be examined on microfilm in both Archives
Authority Search Rooms.
| Reference Numbers |
4/2219.1, AO Reel 3706 |
16 Special bundles.
Aborigines - Papers dealing with issue of blankets etc. and including returns of the
native population in the various districts, 1833-35
These records may be examined on microfilm in both Archives
Authority Search Rooms.
| Reference Numbers |
4/6666B.3, AO Reel 3706 |
17 Special bundles.
Extracts of Proceedings of the Executive Council, including those relating to Major
Mitchell's attack on the Aborigines during his expedition in 1836, 1835-38
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
18 Special bundles.
Aborigines and Native Police, 1835-44
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
| Reference Number |
4/1135.1 |
19 Special bundles.
Aborigines - Distribution of blankets, 1838-43
These records may be examined on microfilm in both Archives
Authority Search Rooms.
| Reference Numbers |
4/1133.3, AO Reel 3706 |
20 Special bundles.
Aborigines - Chief Protector's Report of expedition to the Westward, 1842
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
21 Special bundles.
Journal of Assistant Protector Thomas' proceedings at Aboriginal Station, River Loddon,
for quarter ended February 1845
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
22 Special bundles.
Reports respecting collisions between Aborigines and the Police at Port Phillip, 1846
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
23 Special bundles.
Reserves for Aborigines, 1848-49
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
| Reference Number |
4/1141.2 |
24 Special bundles. Wide
Bay District - letters from Commissioners of Crown Lands, the Commandant of the Native
Police, and the Government Resident, Moreton Bay, 1849-57
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
25 Special bundles.
Annual reports on state of the Aborigines in the various districts, 1851-53
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
| Reference Nos. |
Dates |
| 4/1146.4 |
1851 |
| 4/7153 |
1852 |
| 4/713.2 |
1853 |
26 Special bundles.
Return of the distribution of Native Police on 31 December 1854
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
27 Special bundles.
Returns of the Civil Establishment - Native Police, 1854-57
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
| Reference Number |
4/720.1 part |
28 Special bundles.
Native Police, Moreton Bay, 1855-58
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
29 Special bundles.
Estimate of the expense of the Native Police Force, 1857
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
30 Special bundles.
Reports from Rev. W. Ridley on Aboriginal language and customs, 1871-75
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
The Rev. William Ridley was a Presbyterian minister who devoted much of his time to
studying Aboriginal languages. This bundle contains correspondence between Ridley, the
Colonial Secretary and others relating to Aboriginal languages. It includes examples of
the Thurawal and Mudthung (or Thurumba) languages including stories (such as `The Spirit
of the Fig Tree' and `The Story of Bundoola') with translations into English. Also
included are notes on Australian Aboriginal languages and traditions (with comparative
vocabularies). A copy of the Report of the Select Committee of the [Victorian]
Legislative Council on The Aborigines (printed in Melbourne, 1859) contains examples
of the Aboriginal language of two Melbourne tribes.
31 Special bundles.
Petition re death sentence passed on Aboriginals named Alfred, Alexander and
Metcalf and
Charles E. Wilkinson, 1879
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
32 Aborigines'
Protection - Report of the Public Service Board, 16 August 1938
Please contact the Archives Authority for the current location
(City or Kingswood) of these records.
This volume appears to be the original typescript of the report by the Public Service
Board on Aborigines' protection. The report was tabled in the Legislative Assembly by the
Chief Secretary on 2 May 1940 in connection with the Aborigines Protection (Amendment)
Bill.
| Reference Number |
4/8565.2 |
May 1998
The State Records Authority of New South Wales
Sydney NSW, Australia.
© Copyright reserved by the Government of New South Wales, 1998. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced by any method without the prior written
consent of the State Records Authority of New South Wales.
ISBN 0 7310 1737 4 First published 1998.