So you've heard of Government Gazettes ... but just what are they, and how
can they help you with your research?
What is a Government Gazette?
This was an official publication of all Government notices, including the
operation dates of Acts of Parliament. Once the notice in the Gazette is
published, the public is deemed to have notice of it. Often produced once a
week, with occasional 'Extraordinary' released, the 1833 issues were released
once a week, and each is approx. 8 pages in length.
What will I find in a New South Wales Government Gazette?
Tens of thousands of ordinary people and localities, small and large, are
mentioned every year in Government Gazettes. You will find details on land
transactions, court notices, notice of acts, tenders and
contracts, police auctions of stolen property, statistics, unclaimed letters,
impoundments of cattle and horses, reward notices, much more ... There is a huge
amount of information (which include physical descriptions) relating to convicts
- absconders, those who were granted ticket-of-leave, certificates-of-freedom,
deserters, apprehensions and more.
A unique feature of this years worth of issues, is that is includes lists of
all male convicts arriving in New South Wales month-by-month, together with
name, convict number, ship, occupation, and often who they're assigned to, and
where. For those with convict ancestors, if you had convicts in New South
Wales during 1833, this really is a must!!
How can this information help me?
Government Gazettes contain a vast amount of historical and genealogical
information. Now that they are on CD you can search for any number of names or
places easily. But they offer researchers much more than simply names and
places. They will help you reconstruct events and circumstances in the life of
individuals and communities.
Example entry taken from the 6 October 1833 issue: [please note this
is a small portion of this entry]
Principal Superintendent of Convicts' Office,
Sydney, 4th Nov. 1833.
The undermentioned Prisoners having absconded from the Individuals and
Employments set against their Names respectively, and some of them being at
large with stolen Certificated, and Tickets of Leave, all Constables and
others are hereby required and commanded to use their utmost exertion in
apprehending and lodging them in safe custody.
Any Person harbouring or employing any of the said Absentees, will be
prosecuted as the Law directs:
Baldock William, 35, John Barry (1), London, Groom 5 feet 2 1/2, hazel eyes,
dark brown hair, florid comp, from P. Elliott, since 29th October. Second time
absconding.
Brown George, 35, Ocean (1), Ceylon, Sailor, 5 feet 2, black eyes, black hair,
black comp, from Moreton Bay, since 27th September. A repeated runaway.
Carroll Thomas, No. 30-1943, 20, Hercules (3), Dublin, Labourer, 5 feet 0 1/2,
hazel eyes, brown hair, ruddy comp, mermaid and shamrock on right arm, TM and
cross on left arm, from Bathurst Bridge Party, since 12th Instant.
High quality scanned images of the each of the original issues. This CD has been bookmarked for easy navigation, and pages can be searched, browsed, enlarged and printed out if required.
