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.
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
- Archives Office of Tasmania website, Index to Tasmanian Convicts, available online.
Colonial Secretary
There are a number of indexes relating to the Colonial Secretary Correspondence
| Series | Title | Dates |
|---|---|---|
|
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:
See also the full NRS 898 Special Bundle item list for other records relating to Norfolk Island |
1794-1813 |
|
|
[X24 part], Fiche 3295 |
Norfolk Island Charter of Justice | 1795 |
| A4110 |
Lists of settlers removed from Norfolk Island to the Derwent/Port Dalrymple
Please note these documents are fragile and should be handled with care |
1807, 1808, 1813 |
|
Special Bundles. A detailed list of these papers is available in the Convict Guide pp 180–182. Examples include:
|
1826-1982 |
|
|
Reel 6003 |
Copies of letters sent to Van Diemen’s Land, Newcastle and Norfolk Island |
6 Jan 1810-16 Dec 1813 |
|
Letters received |
1826-1982 |
|
|
[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
|
|
|
- (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 |
|
[4/1677], Reel 2386 |
Norfolk Island - Register of births, deaths and marriages |
1894 |
|
[4/1674 part], COD 200 |
Norfolk Island - Returns of inhabitants, list of births, deaths and marriages |
1870-1871 |
|
Population Musters - Dependent Settlements
|
1811, Aug1812 |
|
|
[X947], Reel 2222 |
1841 Census: Abstract of Returns Hartley-Norfolk Island. |
1841 |
|
(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 |
|
[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 |
|---|---|---|
|
[4/1624] |
Register of despatches received from the Secretary of State relating to Norfolk Island |
1872-1896 |
|
[4/1622] |
Despatches and enclosures from the Secretary of State relating to Norfolk Island |
10 May 1868-24 Jul 1895 |
|
[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 |
|
[4/1644] |
Despatches to the Secretary of State and general correspondence relative to Norfolk Island |
13 Mar 1874-1 Sep 1883 |
|
[4/1627] |
Despatches and enclosures from the Governor of Tasmania |
3 Jul 1831-18 Jan 1860 |
|
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 |
|
|
[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 |
|---|---|---|
|
[X24 part], Fiche 3295 |
Norfolk Island Charter of Justice |
1795 |
Court of Criminal Jurisdiction
| Series | Title | Dates |
|---|---|---|
|
[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 |
|
[T38 part] |
Norfolk Island informations |
1834 |
|
[Doc No.13] |
Commission to try prisoners at Norfolk Island |
13 Nov 1835 |
Bathurst Court of Petty Sessions
| Series | Title | Dates |
|---|---|---|
|
[4/5510] |
List of Norfolk Island expirees in the Bathurst area | c.1850 |
Sheriff
| Series | Title | Dates |
|---|---|---|
|
[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 |
|
[Maps 6320–6324] |
Crown Plans These are maps of Norfolk Island, and plans of settlements on Norfolk Island |
1792-1880 |
|
[Map No.388], aperture card |
Plan of Norfolk Island showing grants and subdivision |
1887 |
Lands Department
| Series | Title | Dates |
|---|---|---|
|
[Map 6211] |
Map of Norfolk Island showing allotments | 1860 |
Main Roads
| Series | Title | Dates |
|---|---|---|
|
[6/17265-17267] |
Construction of Aerodrome (photographs), Norfolk Island |
1942-c.1943 |
|
[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 |
|---|---|---|
|
School files
|
1876-1979 | |
|
Photographic collection: Norfolk Island Public School photographs
|
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 »
