The first systematic survey of the population of the New South Wales settlement was made in 1795 when Governor Hunter called a 'muster' of the inhabitants. Until 1828, when the first census was held, musters were used to number people and to note whether they were being victualled (receiving provisions) from the Government, as a way of assessing whether the Colony would be able to maintain itself without assistance from the public stores, and as a control over the convict population.
General musters, which included all the inhabitants of the Colony, appear to have been held annually between 1795 and 1825. Other categories of musters such as settlers' musters, musters of livestock, musters of convicts or those specifically for males, females or children or convicts per a certain ship, were
conducted more frequently.
The General Muster of New South Wales for the year 1806 is a document of almost unparalleled importance in the history of the early colony. For the first two decades of the colony, very little information about ordinary individuals has survived, but the associated land and stock muster, and a female muster have survived as well. The close relationship between these three musters means that
a wealth of information is available about the ordinary individuals living in the colony.
The information contained in the muster entries includes details of ships of arrival, occupations, employers, relationships, land acquisition, stock and crops, children and so on. The first generation of colonial-born children are also listed. Industries are mentioned, providing references to the economic
growth of the colony.
The Norfolk Island 1805 Muster provides a picture of life in that distant settlement as well. It was the first muster to have survived for Norfolk Island, and records all inhabitants including officials, military and children.
The publication of these four Musters together in the one volume provides an unequalled reference to individuals, employers and industries, existing in the early settlements of New South Wales and Norfolk Island. The cross-reference index contains over 10,000 entries.
Contents:
Committees
Sponsors
Acknowledgements
Major Sponsors to this Volume
The Publisher
Preface
Introduction
- Historical Background
- Method of Collection
- Statistics
- Inconsistencies and Difficulties
- Research Value
- Unusual and Interesting Entries
Explanatory Notes
- Editing Parameters
- Method of Checking
- General Notes
- Notes on the Appendices
Abbreviations
Bibliography
New South Wales General Muster 1806
New South Wales Land and Stock Muster 1806
Marsden's Female Muster 1806
Norfolk Island Muster 1805
Cross-Reference Index
Appendices
1. Corrected Information
2. Occupational/Organisational Listing
3. 1 or 5 Women
4. Colonial-Born
