Convict Guide - published 2006 - Manual / Resource - Page 210
Guide to New South Wales State archives relating to convicts and convict administration
recommendation which went forward to the Governor via the Colonial
Secretary. The Governor's decision was then conveyed back through the
same channels. The majority of convicts followed this system but few
records other than the ticket of leave butts have survived. Some
convicts chose to petition the Governor directly and some of these
petitions are extant in the Colonial Secretary's Correspondence, either
the main series of letters received or in Special bundles.
For researchers studying the policy and administration of the colony and
the convict system, the records of the Governor and the Executive
Council should also be consulted.
A detailed history of the Colonial Secretary's Office is given in a guide to
the Colonial Secretary's papers which is available in State Records'
reading rooms and on State Records' website.
18.2
Indexes to the records
Colonial Secretary's
Project
Index to the Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788–1825 *ARK and is
available on State Records' website
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to convicts and others,
1826–77 and ongoing. Compiled by Joan Reese
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to letters sent re
convicts, 1826–May 1855. Compiled by Joan Reese
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to letters sent to the
Sheriff, 1828-50. Compiled by Convict Connections
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Letters re Land, 1826-56
available on State Records' website
Contemporary Colonial Secretary's Indexes and Registers, 1826–
1900, NRS 922 available in State Records' reading rooms
Female Factory Parramatta, 1826-1848 - Index to inmates.
Compiled by Norma M Tuck and Joan Reese
Index to Colonial Convict Movements, 1827-53. Compiled by the
Descendants of Convicts Group Inc.
In late 2001 State Records embarked upon a long-term project to copy
and improve access to the correspondence records of the Colonial
Secretary for the 1826-56 period. It is expected that as the project
continues related registered in-letters and separated papers will be
identified; these will be brought together, either physically or
intellectually, so that finding individual correspondence should become
that little bit easier. Likewise, correspondence incorrectly placed will be
re-located, as appropriate, and of course noted in State Records'
Skeleton Register (an in-house finding aid compiled by staff and readers
which notes correspondence located). This paper-based Register will be
enhanced and converted into an electronic finding aid, with greater
accessibility and useability.
It is likely that some additional convict records, at present hidden within
the Main series of letters received – will come to light through this
project.
18.3 Letters received and sent, 1788–1825
Colonial Secretary's
records
Main series of letters received, 1788–1825
NRS 897
This includes letters from Government officials
and private individuals; copies of agreements;
Microfilm copy:
Reels 6041–6064,
6071–6072 *ARK
State Records Authority of New South Wales
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