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. Released once a week, with
occasional 'Extraordinary' released, the 1888 issues average about 40 pages in
length.
What will I find in a South Australian
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
records, land rates and land transactions and land leases, quarter sessions and
court notices, permits granted, notice of acts, tenders and contracts, police
auctions of stolen property, statistics, impoundments of cattle and horses,
reward notices, insolvency and bankruptcies, and dissolution of partnerships,
patent applications, and a large amount of local government information which
includes details on councillors and much more ...
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 entries taken from the 5 April 1888 issue:
Local Court of Insolvency, Mount Gambier
Whereas adjudications in against the undermentioned persons: Notice is hereby
given that the Special Magistrate of the said Local Court of Insolvency has
appointed the following days of meeting in each estate to be held at the Local
Courthouse, Mount Gambier: At the first of which meetings the insolvent is
required to surrender and make disclosure of his estate and effects, and the
creditors are the come prepared to prove their debts, and to vote in the
choice of the trustee or trustees, and at the last sitting the insolvent is to
finish his examination:-
Herbert Samuel Steer, of Mount Gambier, assistant schoolmaster, on Tuesday the
sixth day of March, at ten o'clock, and on Monday the ninth day of April, at
ten o'clock.
Michael O'Connor, of Sutton Town, farmer, on Saturday the seventeenth day of
March, at ten o'clock, and on Monday the sixteenth day of April, at ten
o'clock.
Robert Gooch, of Mount Gambier, butcher, on Saturday the seventh day of April,
at ten o'clock, and on Monday the seventh day of May, at ten o'clock.
Impoundements
Impounded at the corporation pound, Laura (nearest post office Laura) -
One black pony branded 8V8 near shoulder. If not claimed, will be sold April
12, 1888, at noon, by a magistrate's order. 3s. 6d.] James Hook, Poundkeeper.
This product provides a great tool for researching South Australian history,
making information that is difficult to find easily accessible on one CD.
High quality scanned images of the whole of the original years worth of
issues. This CD has been bookmarked for easy navigation, and pages can be
searched, browsed, enlarged and printed out if required.
