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. Generally produced once a
week, with occasional 'Extraordinary' released, the 1836 issues were approx. 20 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 1836, 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 10 February 1836 issue:
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Sydney, 9th Febarury, 1836
FEMALE EMIGRANTS
It is intended that the Female Emigrants arrived by the ship James Pattison
shall be landed on Thursday, the 11th instant, and lodged in the Premises
provided for them. Persons desirous of engaging them are requested to make
application to the Committee at Government House. Individuals not know to the
Committee will be required to produce testimonials of character.
By His Excellency's Command,
Alexander M'leay
This product provides a great tool for researching New South Wales history, making
information that is difficult to find easily accessible on one CD.
