What IS the AJCP?
The Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP) began in 1945 as a collaborative project between the State Library of New South Wales and the National Library of Australia. The initial aim was to microfilm all documents held in the Public Record Office in the UK, now the National Archives, relating to Australia. Eventually, all State libraries and the National Library of New Zealand were involved, and the scope of the project expanded to include material related to Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, most of Southeast Asia and Antarctica from archives and libraries throughout the UK. This ambitious project lasted for over 50 years and resulted in the production of more than 10,000 reels of microfilm.
The information contained on these reels is of immense historical value. While microfilming was not undertaken for genealogical purposes much of the material is also of great value to family historians and allows access to collections which would otherwise be accessible only through travelling overseas. This was not the first time that an attempt had been made to acquire records of historical importance for Australia held in Britain. The Historical Records of New South Wales and the Historical Records of Australia, both of which are held at the State Library, were precursors to the AJCP. However, the AJCP is far broader in scope than these earlier series and includes enclosures which were only selectively included in these earlier publications.
What does the AJCP include?
The AJCP collection includes convict records, captains’ logs and surgeons’ journals, military records, Governors’ despatches, information about early days of life in the colony and more.
How much of the AJCP does SLWA hold?
The State Library has nearly 5,000 microfilm reels in the AJCP collection. However, the fully digitised ACJP may be accessed from the National Library of Australia (NLA) AJCP portal. It is preferable for the ACJP to be accessed online because online access is superior to microfilm access. AJCP microfilms can be requested and used on the 3rd floor of the State Library.
How is AJCP organized?
The AJCP records on microfilm and online are organised by the four-digit AJCP number beginning with the Public Record Office (PRO) series and is followed by the Miscellaneous (M) series.
Public Record Office or PRO series
This series was microfilmed from material housed in the Public Record Office (now the UK National Archives) and therefore consists of national government archives.
To get the best out of the PRO series you need to have some understanding of the various British government departments and their roles. Remember; only material with Australian or Pacific region content will have been copied as part of the AJCP. Sometimes this means that only certain sections of records have been copied.
Material from the PRO series will have a reference to the class and piece number and sometimes to the folio number as well, e.g., Adm 101 / 7/ 10
- Adm refers to records from the Admiralty Office
- 101 is the class number for medical journals on convict and emigrant ships
- 7 is the piece (or file) number within Adm 101
- 10 is the folio number within Adm 101/7
- This reference is for the medical journal of the convict ship Bencoolen for 1819, e.g., online record in the Adm finding aid: Convict Ships: Bangalore, Bardaster, Baring, Barretto Junior, Barrosa, Bencoolen, 1818 - 1850 (File 7. AJCP Reel No: 3189)
Miscellaneous or M series
This series was microfilmed after the PRO series and includes material housed in other archives around the UK. It consists of local government and private archives.
AJCP online - UK National Archives
The National Archives in England have digitized selected indexes of the Home, Colonial, War, Foreign, Admiralty, and other Office records. At this point there are few links to actual AJCP content. The indexes are free to access and may be of use to your research. Whilst the UKNA have partially digitised various records the NLA have digitised the entire AJCP collection. The NLA have also created excellent finding aids for the PRO and M series, and have digitised all the AJCP handbooks. Links to the online handbooks may be found throughout this guide. Please familiarise yourself with the general content of the handbooks.
Resources to help use and interpret the AJCP
The most important tools for accessing the records are the AJCP handbooks which were produced to accompany the collection. Before conducting any research:
- Read the introduction in Part 1
- Once you find a relevant entry it is vital that you note down all parts of the reference as you will need whether accessing the digitised records on the NLA’s AJCP online portal or AJCP on microfilm.
- The list below shows the various classes of records with examples of some of the key sections useful for family historians. The edition shown is the latest available for each handbook. It is important to check the latest edition of the handbook. The NLA have digital copies of the handbooks available online.
- Please note that the entries within the PRO series are not necessarily arranged in class order so you need to check the contents page at the front of each volume.
Part 1 General introduction and Shelf List (3rd ed. 2000)
This handbook introduces the project. There are also two lists in microfilm reel number order giving class and piece: dates and titles of material within both the PRO and Miscellaneous series. Please note that headings are general. From this reel number listing you can see that there is no logical order and that the sequence frequently jumps from one class of records to another. If you have a microfilm reel number only, you need to look at Part 1 to find out which handbook to consult for further information.
Part 2 Colonial Office (1984 reprint with addenda)
This is the largest class of records and formed the original source of filming for the AJCP. The Colonial Office was responsible for the administration of the Australian colonies and no aspect of colonial life escaped the scrutiny of British officials. The Colonial Office required and accounted for the entire population which resulted in census and muster records and statistical returns (CO 22 - Blue books). It includes letters and petitions from individuals as well as official governors' reports covering topics such as land grants, debts, appointments, expeditions, arrival of emigrants, conduct of convicts, admission to asylums and more.
Some of the most useful sections are:
Office & Class | Title |
---|---|
CO 13 | Original correspondence for SA |
CO 17 | Blue books for SA |
CO 18 | Original correspondence for WA |
CO 19 | WA Acts 1844-1852 |
CO 22 | Miscellaneous (Blue Books) |
CO 201 | Original correspondence for NSW |
CO 700 | Maps and plans [see CN108 for PRO maps MPG (p.97 of handbook Part 6)] |
CO 206 | Blue books for NSW |
CO 207 | Convicts in NSW |
CO 234 | Original correspondence for QLD |
CO 280 | Original correspondence for Tas. |
CO 284 | Blue books for Tas. |
CO 309 | Original correspondence for VIC |
CO 313 | Blue books for VIC |
CO 714 | Index to correspondence for NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA, and NZ |
The index to correspondence consists of an alphabetical subject list for each state with general headings such as Convicts, Police, Wool etc., followed by a list of individuals arranged under initial letter. The reference given is to a date when the correspondence was written. Please note that not all individuals who are referred to in the correspondence will appear in the index, so it is worth looking through the appropriate dates anyway.
Each piece within this class will also generally have an index at the back. For this reason, it is advisable to go to the end of the reel before conducting your search. Where a piece extends over two reels, you should go to the second reel first. This index will refer you to the date and despatch number.
Part 3 Home Office (1984 reprint with addenda)
The Home Office was responsible for the administration of the penal system and its records are invaluable for family historians researching convict ancestry. Some of the most useful sections are:
Office & Class | Title |
---|---|
HO 8 | Detailed quarterly lists of convicts in prisons or hulks in Britain, Bermuda, and Gibraltar |
HO 9 | More lists of convicts on prison hulks |
HO 10 | Early census and muster records for New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land |
HO 10 | Pardons |
HO 11 | Convict transportation registers - lists of convict ships arranged by date of departure from Britain. Convicts are listed alphabetically by place of conviction within each ship |
HO 13 | Criminal papers. Correspondence & warrants – details of people being transferred from gaols to prison hulks and convict ships |
HO 26 | Criminal registers for Middlesex |
HO 27 | Criminal registers for other counties |
Part 4 War Office (2nd ed. 1986)
- WO 10 - Muster books and pay lists, Artillery
- WO 11 - Muster books and pay lists, Royal Engineers
- WO 12 - Muster books and pay lists, General
- WO 22 - Pensions including the following:
- WO 22/226 Convict ships 1862-1867 which contains information about members of the Enrolled Pensioner Guard arriving in Western Australia.
- WO 25 - Various registers including description books, casualty returns etc. – these are particularly useful for the 102nd Foot or New South Wales Corps.
Part 5 Foreign Office (1984 reprint with addenda)
This class contains information on F.O. records created after 1782 and, in the main, deal with the area of the Pacific covering all correspondence concerning British and colonial policies and dependencies.
Part 6 Air Ministry, Board of Trade, Exchequer & Audit Department, Treasury, and other Record Groups (2nd ed. 1995)
Part 6 contains several smaller classes as follows:
Class | Full Class name |
---|---|
AIR | Air Ministry |
AO | Exchequer and Audit Department |
BJ | Meteorological Office |
BT | Board of Trade |
BT128 | Registers of certificates of competency: masters & mates: colonial trade |
C | Chancery |
Cab | Cabinet Office |
Customs | T |
Lab | Ministry of Labour |
MT | Ministry of Transport |
MT32 | Contains surgeon’s journals for convict ships for 1858-1867 |
PC | Privy Council |
PCom | Prison Commission |
PCom2 | Calendars of prisoners held for trial at quarter sessions and assizes for the period 1816-1866. Includes Millbank, Pentonville, Portland, Portsmouth and Newgate prisons as well as the prison hulks Defence, Stirling Castle, York, and Retribution. Please note that PRO reels 5979-5984 are labelled as Portland but are in fact Portsmouth. |
PMG | Paymaster General’s Office |
PREM | Prime Minister |
RAIL | British Transport Commission |
T | Treasury |
- | Board of Longitude |
- | Maps and Plans |
Part 7 Admiralty (2nd ed. 1993)
The Admiralty Office was kept informed of naval matters by captains on voyages of discovery, from admirals in charge of stations in the East Indies and the Pacific and by ships’ surgeons. This class includes surgeons’ journals for emigrant and convict ships. Some of the most useful sections are:
- Adm 6 - Records relating to convict ships, the Cumberland, and the Dolphin
- Adm 36 - Ships’ musters
- Adm 55 - Captains’ logs
- Adm 96 - Royal Marines
- Adm101 - Medical journals for convict and emigrant ships
Part 8 Miscellaneous (3rd ed. 1998)
This series of records is taken from non-Public Record Office archives throughout the UK including associations, businesses, churches, county record offices etc. Examples of records filmed include diaries, letters, logs, journals, convict records and pictorial matter including rare maps, charts, sketches of colonial buildings and portraits. This handbook is well indexed and individual names and places can be found using the index at the back of the Part 8 volume. Detailed notes have been produced for many of the microfilm reels in this series. These can be found on the 3rd floor of the State Library.
Part 9 Public Record Office Personal Collection (1991)
This collection covers records acquired by the PRO from individuals, families, or organisations. They were usually people who had had some involvement in public life. There is an index at the back of this volume to people and subjects. Reels PRO 6108-6109 in the Carnarvon Papers include information about convict management in Western Australia.
Part 10 Dominions (1991)
This material tends to be later, ranging from the 1920s to the 1950s. The list is also more detailed, going to file level rather than class and piece. The following section includes information on Fairbridge Farm School and the Group Settlement Scheme.
- DO 57 - Overseas settlement. Original correspondence, 1925-36
- For Fairbridge Farm School see PRO (reels) 6711, 6726, 6757, 6772
- For the Group Settlement Scheme see PRO (reels) 6734, 6736, 6747, 6756-7, 6772
Part 11 (2005)
This handbook covers the classes filmed in the last five years of the project, so it is important to remember to check here for records from all different classes.
Key resources and indexes to AJCP records
- Re-index of the Dean Index 1823-1840: settlers, military, convicts etc.
This index, initially compiled by Miss Mathilde Deane in 1929-30, indexed the names of people writing to the Colonial Office in the early years of European settlement. This reworked version indexes all people and ships mentioned in the letters in addition to the letter writers and gives the relevant Colonial Office reference and AJCP microfilm reel number. It is an extremely useful tool, containing 16,189 records and notes from C.O. 201, for those researching early settlers in New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land. - Log of logs: a catalogue of logs, journals, shipboard diaries, letters, and all forms of shipboard narratives, 1788-1988, for Australia and New Zealand and surrounding oceans
This important set of volumes by Ian Nicholson is invaluable for researching ships. Look up the name of the ship you are researching, and you will be referred to the AJCP reel number for captains’ logs, shipboard journals, surgeon’s journals etc. - Convict transportation registers database
This database from the State Library of Queensland includes details of 123,000 of the estimated 160,000 convicts transported to Australia and refers you to both the PRO and AJCP reference numbers. - Index: Australian Joint Copying Project Prison Commission registers, AJCP PCom2, reels 5971-5991
This is a very useful microfiche index to the UK Prisons Commission records produced by volunteers from FamilyHistoryWA (Western Australian Genealogical Society). Viewing the AJCP reel can often reveal extra information about convicts, such as who visited those in gaol, and sometimes addresses are given. The information on convicts includes references to the AJCP reels from which the information was gathered. - State Records Office of Western Australia
For Western Australian correspondence you should visit the State Records Office which has various indexes available. See their web page on Colonial Secretary's Office correspondence for more information. You may need to refer to the AJCP collection in cases where there was an enclosure with outward correspondence. If this is the case, make a careful note of the date and subject matter.
Other useful resources
Most well-researched historical material relating to Australasia will either include direct references to AJCP reel numbers or references to material held at the National Archives in the UK. Some examples are given here:
- Convict records of Western Australia
Written by Gillian O’Mara, page 15 – 25 contains useful information on searching the AJCP for W.A. convict records. This is the key work to consult for those researching Western Australian convicts. The 2016 online edition is also available on the Friends of the Battye Library Inc. website. - Manuscripts in the British Isles relating to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific
This key work formed the basis for microfilming the Miscellaneous series. It lists the miscellaneous material available by repository (Office and Class, i.e., WO 86) but does not give the AJCP reel numbers. However, it is useful for knowing what exists and where it is held for both the PRO and misc. series. It also contains good descriptions and both Office and Class references that may be used when consulting the ACJP handbooks. - The Army in Australia, 1840-1850: prelude to the golden years
This is an excellent source of information on the army in Australia during the early years of European settlement. It gives statistics on troop numbers and placement and includes information on enrolled pensioner guards. - Bound for Australia
This invaluable book explains how to trace ancestors who were bound for Australia, whether convicts or free settlers. It goes through the process stage by stage and gives lots of examples. - Criminal ancestors: a guide to historical criminal records in England and Wales
This is a useful resource that includes surveys of materials held by all county and borough record offices, police archives, and other repositories. It also includes many illustrations and sample cases, appendices with source materials and a case history to show the researcher just how far research on an individual criminal can be progressed. Also includes all sorts of AJCP records & information on criminals. - Historical Records of Australia
Transcribed Governors’ Despatches for New South Wales were published in Series I in 26 volumes. All published in chronological order with an index at the back of each volume. Please note that later series are also held. - Historical Records of New South Wales
An earlier project to transcribe Governors’ despatches published in 9 volumes. Includes a volume filled with charts. All volumes are rare but are available via stack request. v. 1, pt. 1. Cook, 1762-1780 -- Facsimiles of charts to accompany Vol. 1, part 1 -- v. 1, pt. 2. Phillip, 1783-1792 -- v. 2. Grose and Paterson, 1793-1795 -- v. 3. Hunter, 1796-1799 -- v. 4. Hunter and King, 1800-1802 -- v. 5. King, 1803-1805 -- v. 6. King and Bligh, 1806-1807, 1808 -- v. 7. Bligh and Macquarie, 1809, 1810, 1811 - Historical Records of New Zealand
Transcribed Governors' Despatches for New Zealand published in 2 volumes. - Convict records in Australia
This extremely useful guide explains which records are available for tracing convicts in all Australian states. For WA convicts it is a useful supplement to Gillian O'Mara's work (listed above). It provides references to AJCP reel numbers where applicable. - Administering the Empire, 1801-1968 : a guide to the records of the Colonial Office in the national archives of the UK
This includes an appendix that provides a record list for all C.O. items for W.A. (p.291-292). - Commonwealth sources in British official records : Colonial and Dominions Offices
This provides holdings information on various institutions that have collections of C.O. and & D.O. records. - The records of the War Office and related departments, 1660-1964This describes records of the British Army between 1660 – 1964.
- My ancestor was in the British army: how can I find out more about him?This is all about British Army records and information about the Army in the W.O. It also contains on various other topics related to the British Army such as courts martial.
- My ancestor was a merchant seaman: how can I find out more about him?
This resource provides a survey of all record sources for the merchant seamen/navy.
How to access AJCP PRO records online
Online searching for AJCP PRO digitised records online and uses several standard online searching and navigational functions to assist you. The method stepped through below presents one effective method for searching the AJCP PRO collections. Researchers will find their own preferred method once they have become familiar with the functions of the AJCP Portal and the digitised records on Trove.
- Access the hardcopy or online version of the handbook for the PRO series that you need, i.e., Colonial Office
- If you are accessing the online version of the handbook, click the Read option to access a link to the online version within Trove
- Search through the handbook for the PRO reel details you need, and note down all the details, i.e., CO 18 Original Correspondence Reel 293, Piece 2, Date 1828, Desc.: Settlers
- Go to the NLA AJCP online portal
- Click the AJCP PRO Series in the Research Tools and Resources column. A list of PRO Series finding aids will appear onscreen
- Search the list of PRO Series finding aids, and click the finding aid that you need, i.e., Colonial Office. The colonial office find aid will open in Trove
- Click Ctrl+f. The find function text box will appear onscreen
- Enter the details you copied from the handbook (step 2) into the find function text box, i.e., CO 18; or the Reel, i.e., 293; or other detail, i.e., Settlers, 1828, gleaned from the handbook. The find function will advance through the finding aid to the first instance of the search term you used, i.e., a search of 293 will advance through the finding aid to: Settlers, 1828 (File 2. AJCP Reel No. 293)
- Click the thumbnail image for the series you want to search through. The series will open and will display thumbnails of every record on the Reel you have accessed
- Click on a thumbnail to open a viewing size image
- Each image will show a reference box beneath it where you can confirm the Series and Piece Number for the image you are viewing, i.e., C.O.18/2
- Use the various onscreen controls to the left of the image and left of the screen to navigate through the records or obtain more information about each record
- Look through as many of the images as necessary
- Manually scroll through and check the online records
- Use the zoom function for a better view of each record
How to access AJCP Miscellaneous records online
Online searching for AJCP Miscellaneous digitised records online uses several standard online searching and navigational functions to assist you. The method stepped through below presents one effective method for searching the AJCP Miscellaneous collection. Researchers will find their own preferred method once they have become familiar with the functions of the AJCP Portal and the digitised records on Trove.
- Access the hardcopy or online version of the Miscellaneous handbook
- Search through the handbook for the M reel details you need, and note down all the details, i.e., on p.52 of the 1998 edition of the handbook: Entry 145 Du Cane, Sir Edmund Frederick (1830-1903) Letters Reel M835, Date 1851-56
- Remember to use the index (p.199-252). It is a standard index by topic and lists the Entry number for each topic, but not the page number
- Go to the NLA AJCP online portal
- Click the AJCP M Series in the Research Tools and Resources column. A list of M Series finding aids will appear onscreen
- Search the list of M Series finding aids, and click the finding aid that you need, i.e., choose D to go to the D section of the aid
- Scroll down to Du Cane, Sir Edmund Frederick (digitised)
- Click Du Cane. The Du Cane M 835 finding aid will open in Trove
- Scroll through the files until you locate the file you need. Alternatively:
- Click Ctrl+f. The find function text box will appear onscreen
- Enter your search term in the find function text box, i.e., 1854. The find function will advance through the finding aid to the first instance of the search term you used, i.e., a search of 1854 will advance through the finding aid to: Du Cane (Guildford) to Arthur Du Cane, 15 October 1854 (File)
- Enter your search terms in the Search within this finding aid… function at the top right of the finding aid screen and click search. The search results from the finding aid will appear at the top of the finding aid screen
- Click the result that you want to see
- The function will advance through the finding aid to the series or file you chose
- Click the thumbnail image for the series or individual file you want to search through. The series or file will open and will display thumbnails of every record on the Reel you have accessed
- Click on a thumbnail to open a viewing size image
- Use the various onscreen controls to the left of the image and left of the screen to navigate through the records or obtain more information about each record
- Look through as many of the images as necessary
- Manually scroll through and check the online records
- Use the zoom function for a better view of each record
How to access the microfilmed records within the AJCP?
1. If you only have an AJCP reel number, e.g. [PRO reel] 6019, [Misc. reels] M2078 & M983
- Always consult the AJCP handbooks to double check the reference and find the piece number (PRO series) or detailed notes if available (M series).
- For a PRO series microfilm number (series without the M prefix) consult the AJCP handbook Part 1 to locate your microfilm reel number.
- Note down the full reference for the reel, and then consult the latest edition of the relevant handbook (Part 2 – 7, 9 - 11) for further details on the reel you need, e.g.: [PRO] Reels: 6019, Class & Pieces: WO 10/1940 – 2700 (various), Dates: 1845 – 70 [Misc.] Reels: M2078, Description: CUMBRIA RECORD OFFICE. Collections, Dates: 1863 - 1939
- For an M series microfilm, consult the Miscellaneous handbook (Part 8)
- Entries in the Miscellaneous handbook are arranged alphabetically by repository. Search by the first capitalized word from the (collection) description in Part 1 of the handbook, e.g., CUMBRIA
- The M entry will provide details on the number of microfilms for the collection by M reel number, special conditions for accessing the original records, and (sometimes) extensive descriptions. It will also indicate whether detailed notes are available in the 16 volume Miscellaneous expansion series
- With all the details of the Reel, Class, and Piece for the information you are researching, find the reel(s) and go to the microfilm readers to start searching. Remember it always pays to check the index to the contents for the Piece that you are searching. The index for each piece on a reel may be found at the end of the reel. If the Piece extends across two or more reels its index will appear at the end of the last reel on which its records appear.
2. If you only have the PRO reference number, e.g., WO 10
- Check the abbreviations list on page 13 of Handbook Part 1 to find the full name of the PRO record group you need, e.g., WO = War Office.
- Go to the latest edition of the correct handbook, e.g., WO = War Office = Part 4 of the Handbook.
- Consult the contents page of the Handbook to see which page number covers the class of records you need, e.g., War Office Handbook Part 4 contents (page 13), shows that WO 10 (Muster Books and Pay Lists. Artillery) appears on page 15 of the Handbook. Turning to page 15, look for the reel and piece numbers. The date and brief description reference for each reel will also be included.
- Make a note of all the details required and then request staff to retrieve the reels you need from the AJCP catalogue record. Remember, SLWA does not have a full set of AJCP reels. The reels are arranged in reel number order, e.g., PRO 1 - 7314, and M 1 - 3105.
- Once you have the reel(s), and armed with all the details of the Reel, Class, and Piece for the information you are researching, go to the microfilm readers to start searching.
- Remember it always pays to check the index to the contents for the Piece that you are searching. The index for each piece on a reel may be found at the end of the reel. If the Piece extends across two or more reels its index will appear at the end of the last reel on which its records appear.
3. If you are looking for a person or topic and have no AJCP references
- Develop your own search strategy using resources listed on pages 5 – 9 of this guide.
- Use the AJCP handbooks to browse for the appropriate place and time.
- Consider using Ancestry.com or FindMyPast as some records contain links to pages about individuals and they can contain AJCP record information.
- Try searching on Google using AJCP as a keyword plus the person's name or topic.
- Remember, your search may, of necessity, boil down to a process of elimination so be sure to keep a clear record of what you have accessed, when you accessed it, and what you found. So doing will help minimize any chance of unnecessarily duplicating searches and will help you keep a record of what information came from which resource.
4. NLA AJCP microfilm reels
Some of the reels supplied by the NLA are not suited for use on the State Library’s microfilm readers. This means the microfilm readers will not hold the ACJP reel properly. In these cases, the reel must be replaced prior to it being used. Please see staff if you need assistance with any microfilm reel.
Suggestions for starting points when searching AJCP
Whether using microfilms or digitised records…there is no real shortcut. There is no one right way of searching AJCP as there are many entry points to the records. Much relies on your own process of elimination, keeping good notes of what you have looked through, found, and what you have left to consider. What follows are simple suggestions and findings from personal research into the resources listed above. The suggestions are not exhaustive, apply to hardcopy and online searching, and aim to provide you with some initial direction to aid your research processes.
W.A. convict information is scattered throughout the AJCP and may require consulting several resources
Finding convict and criminal records
- Always start with handbook – Part 1 – to determine which section of the handbook(s) to check
- Depending on the focus of your search, use the Colonial [includes ticket of leave and pardon information] (Part 2), Home (Part 3), War Office (Part 4), and Admiralty (Part 7) handbooks as these contain much of the information about W.A. convicts, their criminal records from England, details of Courts Martials, and transportation (ADM 101 - convict ship details)
- Remember to use Manuscripts in the British Isles relating to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific and Convict Records of Australia to find further detail on each class listed in the handbooks.
- Make a note of each resource you have consulted and where you found each piece of relevant information.
Finding prison commission prison book records
- Information on convicts, where they were registered when convicted, their crimes, and to where they were transported
- Check the handbook – part 1 (p.32) – for P COM 2-reel details
- See Reel 5971 – 5991 for prison book records 1817 – 1866
- Check Manuscripts in the British Isles relating to Australia (p.255 – 256) and Convict Records of Australia (p.25 – 27) for further P Com details
Finding military records
- The War Office handbook will contain information on movement of Pensioner Guards and will have a bit on courts-martials and general military matters as well. The Colonial Office handbook will also provide information on Pensioner Guards, the Enrolled Pensioner Force
- Check handbook – Part 1 – to determine which section of the other handbook(s) to use
- Check Manuscripts in the British Isles relating to Australia p.211 – 226 for further C.O. details; & p.301 – 314 for W.O. details
- Consider using these resources: Re-index of the Dean Index 1823-1840: settlers, military, convicts etc., The Army in Australia, 1840-1850: prelude to the golden years, The records of the War Office and related departments, 1660-1964, My ancestor was in the British army: how can I find out more about him?, and My ancestor was a merchant seaman: how can I find out more about him?
Finding Maps and Plans
- Use the handbook – Part 1 as a starting point
- Consult the Colonial Office handbook (Part 2) to find details on C.O. 700 as it contains many maps of W.A. and Australia
Finding surgeons journals for convicts ships
- Use the handbook – Part 1 – - as a starting point
- Check handbook - Part 6 – for Ministry of Transport (MT) information
- [MT32] Reel 3181 is all about convict ships to W.A. including the surgeon’s journals
- Check handbook – Part 7 – for Admiralty (Adm) information
- Adm 101 contains medical journals for some convict ships that came to W.A.
Finding Fairbridge information
Do you need help accessing the AJCP?
- Send us your questions via Ask A Librarian
- Visit the 3rd level of the State Library to speak with one of our Librarians