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Norfolk Island Guide

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NRS 898: Papers relating to Norfolk Island 1794-1813

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Births, Deaths and Marriages Guide
Colonial Secretary: An Overview
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On 1 August 2010 Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area on Norfolk Island were inscribed onto the World Heritage List as one of 11 Australian Convict Sites. Places in New South Wales that were included are the Old Government House and Domain, Hyde Park Barracks, Cockatoo Island Convict Site and the Old Great North Road.

As well as being a penal establishment, one of the primary reasons for establishing the first settlement at Norfolk Island was economic: the Colonial Government had hoped to utilise the flax and pine trees on Norfolk Island

Historical Overview

As well as being a penal establishment, one of the primary reasons for establishing the first settlement at Norfolk Island was economic: the Colonial Government had hoped to utilise the flax and pine trees on Norfolk Island. However the anticipated economic importance of Norfolk Island was not realised and the settlement was steadily reduced from the early 1800s. One of Governor Macquarie’s first actions when he arrived was to order the abandonment of the island.

1788-1814

Governor Phillip's instructions of 25 April 1787 had ordered him to send a detachment to Norfolk Island as soon as circumstances permitted.  On 12 February 1788 Phillip appointed Philip Gidley King Superintendent and Commandant of the Island [1] and on 5 March 1788 King landed there with a group of soldiers and convicts and supplies. Others were sent there to relieve the strain on the mainland where food was scarce.

From 1788 to 1814 Norfolk Island existed as an extension of the penal settlement in New South Wales but by the early 1800s the Island was no longer needed as a penal colony had been set up in Van Diemen's Land. Although the settlers were reluctant to move from Norfolk Island, the settlement was steadily reduced over the years. Rough seas and suitable landing sites posed difficulties in supplying provisions and communications. By 1810 the population had decreased to 117 and in 1813 plans were put in place for the abandonment of the Island. It was finally deserted in February 1814. 

1825-1853

In 1824, as pastoralists were settled across the mainland, the Colonial Office decided to revive the penal settlement on Norfolk Island as a place of banishment for the worst re-offenders. On 6 June 1825 Major Turton, along with 34 troops, six women and children, and 57 convicts, reoccupied the Island. By 1829 there were 211 convicts on Norfolk and by 1834 there were close to 700 convicts, all employed by the government which, according to personal accounts of convicts and visitors, inflicted on them harsh punishments verging on the inhumane. It was not until Alexander Maconochie was appointed as Commandant of Norfolk Island in 1840 that the convicts started to be treated more humanely.

In February 1844 Maconochie was replaced by Captain Joseph Childs and on 14 September 1844 the administrative control of Norfolk Island passed from New South Wales to Van Diemen's Land.[2] During this time the island regained its reputation for brutality, which it retained until the penal settlement settlement was finally closed in 1853.

1856 onwards

In 1856 the Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers, were resettled on Norfolk Island by the British Government.[3] Norfolk Island, which had formed part of New South Wales and then Tasmania became a distinct settlement of the British Crown, under the administration of the Governor of New South Wales.[4] On 1 July 1914 Norfolk Island became an Australian Territory under the Commonwealth government.

Since 1979 the Island has been governed under the provisions of the Commonwealth Norfolk Island Act, 1979 which established a Legislative Assembly and granted a significant degree of self-government.[5]

Shipping list of convict ships sent to and from Norfolk Island 1828-50

These tables encompass convict transports between Norfolk Island and New South Wales and also from Great Britain for the period 1840-50. These lists are not complete! For more details see the Convict Guide.

A. To Norfolk Island from New South Wales 

Year Date Ship Convicts Item Reel
1828 8 Nov Isabella 14 [4/3896 pp.38-9] 1062 
1829 14 Aug Isabella 36 [4/3896 pp.194-6] 1062
1829 31 Oct Isabella 41 [4/3896 pp.244-5]  1062
1830 6 Feb Amity 42 [4/3896 pp.299-301]  1062
1830 3 May Lucy Ann 50 [4/3896 pp.339-40]  1062
1830 25 Oct Lucy Ann 73 [4/3896 pp.474-7] 1062
1830 11 Dec Isabella 2 [4/3896 p.514] 1062
1830 30 Dec Mary Elizabeth 10 [4/3896 pp.538-9] 1062
1831 16 Jun Isabella 5 [4/3897 pp.118-9] 1062
1831 19 Sep Louisa 106 [4/3897 pp.201-5] 1062
1831 21 Dec Isabella 10 [4/3897 pp.281]  1062
1832 16 Mar Governor Phillip 49 [4/3897 pp.381-4]  1062
1832 6 Oct Governor Phillip  60 [4/3898 pp.75-8]   1063
1832 27 Dec Governor Phillip  73 [4/3898 pp.167-8]  1063
1833 8 Mar Governor Phillip  33 [4/3898 pp.257-8]   1063
1833 31 Aug Esther 78 [4/3898 pp.415-9, 422-3]  1063
1834 25 Jan Isabella 30 [4/3899 p.25]  1063
1834 6 Mar Governor Phillip  80 [4/3899 pp.51-2]  1063
1834 9 Sep Governor Phillip  70 [4/3899 pp.140-2]   1063
1834 5 Dec Isabella 30 [4/3899 pp.173-4]   1063
1835 3 Feb Governor Phillip  73 [4/3899 pp.202-4]   1063
1835 2 Apr Isabella 50 [4/3899 pp.226-7]   1063
1835 19 Jun Governor Phillip  70 [4/3899 pp.258-60]   1063
1835 13 Jul Isabella 11 [4/3899 pp.270-1]   1063
1835 21 Sep Governor Phillip  70 [4/3899 pp.307-9, 310-11]   1063
1835 19 Nov Isabella 59 [4/3899 pp.335-6]   1063
1836 13 Jan Governor Phillip  70 [4/3899 pp.369-71]   1063
1836  26 Jul  Carnarvon  100  [4/3900 pp.9-12]  1064 
1836 30 Dec Governor Phillip 32 [4/3900 pp.84-5]  1064
1837  30 Mar  Governor Phillip  37  [4/3900 p.135, 137-8]   1064
1837 3 Nov Governor Phillip  20 [4/3900 p.262]   1064
1837 16 Dec Isabella  34 [4/3900 p.281]   1064
1838 16 Mar Governor Phillip  6 [4/3900 p.322]   1064
1838 15 Oct Governor Phillip  74 [4/3901 pp.35-7]   1064
1839 13 Aug Governor Phillip  24 [4/3901 pp.169-70]   1064
1841 8 Feb Governor Phillip  6 [4/3901 pp.383]   1064
1850 10 Apr Lady Franklin  4 [4/4523 pp.269-70]   901
1850 6 Aug Lady Franklin 1 [4/4523 pp.270] 901

B. From Norfolk Island to New South Wales 

Year Date Ship Convicts Item Reel
1830 26 Mar Amity 6 [4/3896 p.319] 1062
1830 28 Sep Lucy Ann 5 [4/3896 p.447]  1062
1831 24 Nov Isabella 18 [4/3897 pp.260-1]   1062
1832 24 Jan Isabella  9 [4/3897 p.315]  1062
1832 5 Apr Isabella  10 [4/3897 p.403]  1062
1832 28 May Governor Phillip  25 [4/3897 pp.456-7] 1062
1832 20 Jul Governor Phillip  10 [4/3897 p.535]   1062
1832 7 Dec Governor Phillip  29 [4/3898 pp.142-5]  1063 
1833 15 Feb Governor Phillip  16 [4/3898 pp.240-3]  1063
1833 22 Jul Isabella  36 [4/3898 pp.368-70]  1063
1833 28 Oct Esther 13 [4/3898 pp.464, 470]  1063
1834 18 Jan Isabella  14 [4/3899 p.21]   1063
1834 3 Mar Isabella  7 [4/3899 p.45]  1063
1834 22 Apr Governor Phillip  8 [4/3899 p.69]   1063
1834 29 May Isabella 4 [4/3899 p.90]   1063
1834 30 Dec Isabella 16 [4/3899 p.185]  1063
1835 14 Jan Governor Phillip  4 [4/3899 p.193]   1063
1835 20 Mar Governor Phillip  16 [4/3899 pp.221-2]   1063
1835 23 May Isabella 10 [4/3899 p.247]   1063
1835 19 Aug Isabella 14 [4/3899 pp.284-5]   1063
1835 16 Dec Governor Phillip  4 [4/3899 p.351]   1063
1836 15 Sep Carnarvon 18 [4/3900 pp.25-6]   1064
1836 3 Nov Governor Phillip  13 [4/3900 p.70]   1064
1837 3 Mar Governor Phillip  11 [4/3900 pp.124-5]    1064
1837 27 May Governor Phillip 5 [4/3900 p.163]    1064
1837 11 Oct Governor Phillip  16 [4/3900 p.245]    1064
1837 16 Dec Governor Phillip  14 [4/3900 p.282]    1064
1838 21 Mar Isabella 2 [4/3900 p.324]    1064
1838 28 Apr Governor Phillip  11 [4/3900 p.345]    1064
1838 4 Oct Governor Phillip  11 [4/3901 p.31]    1064
1838 12 Dec Governor Phillip  12 [4/3901 p.59]   1064
1839 13 Feb Governor Phillip  60 [4/3901 pp.87-9]    1064
1839 17 Oct Cornwall 4 [4/3901 p.189]   1064

C.  To Norfolk Island from Great Britain, 1840-50 

Year Date Ship Master Sailed From Papers
1840  -  Nautilus (2) HF Alloway Dublin, 17 Sep 1839  - 
1840 27 Mar Augusta Jessie (3) JS Sparke Dublin, 11 Nov 1839 Printed indent, 1840 p.36, Reel 2662; Musters and other papers: Reel 2417 [2/8243 p.127]; Reel 2750 [4/7076] 
1840 -  Mangles (9) Wm Carr Plymouth, 28 Nov 1839 - 
1844 7 Feb Maitland (2) Thompson Plymouth,  1 Sep 1843 Musters and other papers: [2/8268 pp.21-40] Reel 2424 (DL 138 pp.69-81)
1844 12 Jul Blundell Rbt L Hunter -  Musters and other papers: [4/2658] with 44/5873 (ML Tas Papers D7)
1844 9 Nov Agincourt Hy Neatby Woolich, 9 Jul 1844 - 
1845 19 Feb Hydrabad Alex. Robertson Downs, 21 Oct 1844 (ML Tas Papers D9) 
1845 25 Aug David Malcolm Jas. Cable Downs, 13 May 1845 (ML Tas Papers D9; DL 138 pp.17-29) 
1845 2 Sep Hyderabad (1) TA Castle  - - 
1846 8 Jan Mayda May Woolwich, 29 Aug 1845 (ML Tas Papers D10; DL 138 pp.85-97)
1846 16 May China Liversay Woolwich, 7 Jan 1846 (ML Tas Papers D11) 
1846 21 Sep John Calvin (1) -  Woolwich, 13 May 1846 (ML Tas Papers D10; DL Add 566/189) 
1847 -  Tory (2) Lukey or Jn. Young Dublin, 11 Nov 1846 - 
1850 30 Apr Eliza IV Daniel London, 24 Dec 1849  - 

The Convict Guide has a detailed listing of the convict records relating to Norfolk Island and is available in our reading room.

List of main record series

Colonial Secretary

There are a number of indexes relating to the Colonial Secretary Correspondence

Series Title Dates

NRS 898

Special Bundles. Papers relating to Norfolk Island - a detailed item list is available online  »

This includes a variety of letters, papers and returns, for example, it includes victualling and 'slop' clothing books, lists of persons on and off the stores and an annual return of settlers and convicts.

Examples from the list:

  • List of the names of every man woman and child on and off the stores residing at Norfolk Island, Feb 1805 [4/1167A], Reel 762, COD 413

See also the full NRS 898 Special Bundle item list for other records relating to Norfolk Island

1794-1813
 

NRS 1022

[X24 part], Fiche 3295

 Norfolk Island Charter of Justice  1795
A4110

Lists of settlers removed from Norfolk Island to the Derwent/Port Dalrymple

  • An45/2 - to the Derwent, 9 Nov 1807
  • An45/3 - to the Derwent, 26 Dec 1807
  • An45/4 - to the Derwent, 14 Feb 1808
  • An45/5 - to the Derwent, 3 Sep 1808
  • An45/6 - to Port Dalrymple, 1813

Please note these documents are fragile and should be handled with care

 1807, 1808, 1813

NRS 906

Special Bundles. A detailed list of these papers is available in the Convict Guide pp 180–182.

Examples include:

  • Norfolk Island – Returns, 1828-29, [4/117], Reel 764, COD432 (WSRC) COD 472
  • Alphabetical return of English prisoners at Norfolk Island, Sep 1841 Letter 41/9309 in [4/2566], return at [X2230], Reel 769
  • List of 107 prisoners who died at Norfolk Island, 1 Oct 1836-22 Apr 1842 with CSIL 42/5520 in [4/2583.1] pp 40-43, Reel 693, COD 226
  • Administration of Norfolk Island, 1897, [4/928.2]

1826-1982

NRS 936

Reel 6003

Copies of letters sent to Van Diemen’s Land, Newcastle and Norfolk Island

6 Jan 1810-16 Dec 1813

NRS 905

Letters received

1826-1982

NRS 988

[4/3821–24], Reels 6019, 764-766

Copies of letters to Norfolk Island 

May 1825-12 Jun 1851

Population / Census / Musters

Series Title Dates
-

Lists of convicts arriving and departing Norfolk Island

  • See the Convict Guide pp. 186-188 for shipping lists of convicts sent to and from Norfolk Island, 1828-50.
  • See the Convict Guide pp 194-195 for shipping lists of convicts from Van Diemans Land to Norfolk Island, 1826-40; and p199 for lists of convicts sent from Norfolk Island to Van Dieman’s Land 1845-47.
  

-

(Reels 2125-2129)

Thomas Davies Mutch: Card index to births, deaths and marriages

Early ceremonies on Norfolk Island were recorded at St Phillips Church in Sydney 

1787-1814

NRS 4556

[4/1677], Reel 2386

Norfolk Island - Register of births, deaths and marriages 

1894

NRS 4558

[4/1674 part], COD 200

Norfolk Island - Returns of inhabitants, list of births, deaths and marriages 

1870-1871

NRS 1261

Population Musters - Dependent Settlements

  • 1811 General Muster at Hobart Town, Port Dalrymple and Norfolk Island. Includes male and female convicts [4/1233], Reel 1256
  • Population Book and Stock Book. Annual return of all inhabitants, parts in cultivation, stock etc at 6 Aug 1812 [4/1170], Reel 763

1811, Aug1812

NRS 1282

[X947], Reel 2222

1841 Census: Abstract of Returns

Hartley-Norfolk Island. 

 1841

NRS 685

(Fiche 1087)

Collectors Books, 1901 Census

Norfolk Island, Kingston and County Lands. 

1901

 

NRS 12188; NRS 12189; NRS 1156

Adm 101/6 PRO Reel 3189

Principal Superintendent of Convicts

Indent and Surgeon's journal of convict ship Augusta Jessie (3) with prisoners for Norfolk Island from Dublin 

27 Mar 1840

-

(Reel 687, COD 2)

Principal Superintendent of Convicts:

Alphabetical register of convicts secondarily transported from NSW to Norfolk Island and remaining there

(original in the Archives Office of Tasmania)

Aug 1844

Victualling lists

Records of persons receiving rations.

Series Title Dates

T1/668

(PRO Reel 3551, COD 88)

1788 Victualling book

List of persons victualled in New South Wales and Norfolk Island

 25 Feb-17 Nov 1788

NRS 1343

[ML A1958], Reel 2747

Norfolk Island Victualling Book: Register of persons receiving rations

A list of all people, whatever their status, entering the Island who were supplied with food rations 

 1792-1796

Governor

Series Title Dates

NRS 4515

[4/1624]

Register of despatches received from the Secretary of State relating to Norfolk Island

1872-1896

NRS 4516

[4/1622]

Despatches and enclosures from the Secretary of State relating to Norfolk Island

10 May 1868-24 Jul 1895

NRS 4517

[12/2064.1]

Despatches from the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and related papers, concerning the transfer of the administration of Norfolk Island from New South Wales to the Commonwealth 

1902-1914

NRS 4520

[4/1644]

Despatches to the Secretary of State and general correspondence relative to Norfolk Island

13 Mar 1874-1 Sep 1883

NRS 4526

[4/1627]

Despatches and enclosures from the Governor of Tasmania 

3 Jul 1831-18 Jan 1860

NRS 4555

Papers relating to Norfolk Island (includes documents relating to the settlement of Pitcairn Islanders on Norfolk Island)

1852-72, [4/1673-1674 part], Reel 1248]; 1 Oct 1880 [4/7641.7] formerly ML An45/7; 7 Feb 1893 [4/7641.8] formerly ML An45/14

1852-1893

NRS 4557

[7/4121]

Copy of evidence taken by Commissioner Oliver during a Royal Commission into Norfolk Island affairs

Sep-Oct 1903

Court records

See the online Index to Criminal court records, 1788-1833.

Colonial Secretary

Series Title Dates

NRS 1022

 [X24 part], Fiche 3295

Norfolk Island Charter of Justice

 1795

Court of Criminal Jurisdiction

Series Title Dates

NRS 2702

[5/1152], Reel 2392

Miscellaneous criminal papers 

Listed in the Index to Criminal court records, 1788-1833

 

 1788-91, 1798-1800, 1802, 1805, 1807-16
 

Supreme Court

Series Title Dates
NRS 13693

Miscellaneous papers and documents

A detailed list of these papers is available in the reading room.

 1787-1803, 1795-1847, 1829, 1843
 

NRS 13535

 [T38 part]

Norfolk Island informations

 1834

NRS 13703

[Doc No.13]

Commission to try prisoners at Norfolk Island 

 13 Nov 1835

Bathurst Court of Petty Sessions

 
Series Title Dates

NRS 2782

[4/5510]

 List of Norfolk Island expirees in the Bathurst area  c.1850

Sheriff

Series Title Dates

NRS 13236

[4/6271]

Miscellaneous returns 

These include a list of men in irons from Norfolk Island and Moreton Bay, 1839-40, and a list of prisoners from Norfolk Island for commutation of sentence, 1840-41 

 1836-1841

Land records

Surveyor General

Series Title Dates
NRS 13836 Registers of land grants and leases 1791-1924

NRS 13859

[Maps 6320–6324]

Crown Plans

These are maps of Norfolk Island, and plans of settlements on Norfolk Island 

 1792-1880

NRS 13868

 [Map No.388], aperture card

Plan of Norfolk Island showing grants and subdivision

 1887

Lands Department

Series Title Dates

NRS 8232

[Map 6211]

 Map of Norfolk Island showing allotments  1860

Main Roads

Series Title Dates

NRS 20013

[6/17265-17267]

Construction of Aerodrome (photographs), Norfolk Island 

 1942-c.1943

NRS 9771

[10/27262-27476, 7/7266]

Miscellaneous Files

Aerodrome construction at Norfolk Island Parts I and II 

 1926-1978

Education records

Records less than 30 years old are Closed to Public Access

Series Title Dates

NRS 3829

School files

  • [5/17157.3] Norfolk Island 1897-1919
  • [5/17158.1] Norfolk Island 1919-39
  • [14/7749] Norfolk Island 1940-67
  • [14/7750] Norfolk Island 1967-87
 1876-1979

NRS 15051

Photographic collection: Norfolk Island Public School photographs 

  • File 42M854 [10/27348]
 1963-1991

Records held elsewhere

National Archives of Australia

The National Archives holds records relating to Norfolk Island, some dating from the resettlement of the Pitcairn Islanders in 1856.

State Library NSW

  • Papers relating to the convict establishment on Norfolk Island, 1843-55 - Mitchell Library D113
  • Alphabetical return of convicts transported from Norfolk to Van Diemen’s Land, 1844 - Mitchell Library Tasmanian Papers 335-6
  • Correspondence and reports re the Convict system at Norfolk Island under the superintendence of Capt. Maconochie, 1846 - Printed. Mitchell Library Q.365/G

Footnotes

1. John Cobley, Sydney Cove, 1788, p.71

2. NSW Government Gazette, 14 September 1844, p.114

3. National Archives of Australia (NAA) RecordSearch database

4. NAA RecordSearch database

5. Op cit.

ARCHIVES IN BRIEF
Content in this Guide first appeared in Archives in Brief 122 - Norfolk Island and part of Short Guide 12 - Muster and Census Records
What's happened with Archives in Brief and Short Guides »

  • Convict life on Norfolk Island

    Convict life on Norfolk Island was severe and often brutal. This page is a snapshot of one convict, John Walsh, who spent ten years on Norfolk Island from 1834 to 1844. 

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