NSW Convict Idents and Colonial Secretary's Papers - ancestry

[kiterunner]

I know that the index to the Colonial Secretary's Papers was already available online and I dare say the Colonial Idents too? But I don't think I've actually seen the images for the Colonial Secretary's Papers before, think it was just an index.

Anyway, I'm happy because there are lots of entries in there for my 3xg-grandfather as he was a ship's captain. Most appear to have been copied out into a ledger so not in the original handwriting, but I have found one that does look as though it is my ancestor's original writing - because surely nobody would copy it out with all those squiggles in the signature?! I can't find a smiley that looks excited enough for how I feel!!! (edit - I remembered his signature was on his marriages in the LMA records, so I compared and it is definitely the same)
James Ferrier letter (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/iexec?htx=View&r=5538&dbid=1905&iid=32086_228460-00991&fn=James&ln=Ferrier&st=d&ssrc=&pid=14011)

Convict Idents 1788-1842 (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2024)

Colonial Secretary's Papers 1788-1825 (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1905)

[Mary from Italy]

Ooh, good, I was hoping for those. I don't think the NSW indent index was online, and certainly not the images; the only ones available are for Tasmania as far as I know.

And what a brilliant find for you!

[Mary from Italy]

Found two of mine so far, but no particularly interesting information, except a description of tattoos :)

[Kit]

The Indents aren't so interesting as I stumbled on them one day at the local library but the Colonial Secretary Papers should be good. Thanks Kite.

[marquette]

I wish they would do after 1825, as its too early for anyone of mine - but after that there is so much more to digitise I guess.

I hope they might do the later "Blue Books" the Returns of the Colony - now there's a window into how the bureaucracy worked (probably still does).

I looked at them at State Records and could find out the dates my people were employed by the govt and how much they got paid in cash and government rations. Fascinating.

Di

[kiterunner]

Is this what you mean, Di, or are there later ones than these?
NSW Returns of the Colony 1822-1857 (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1737)
1858-1870 (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=2387)

[marquette]

Hi Kite

I did not realise they had been done too ! I had not thought to look past the Col Sec's papers to 1825, probably because I already have the info - well that will save some trips out to Kingswood !

I can now see that Edward Capps ditched his 100pound per annum job at the Hyde Park Barracks to be Postmaster at Sofala for 150pounds, but an infamous end was in store for him !!

[Mary from Italy]

Just realised that some of the convict indents in this database don't relate to convicts going to NSW at all, but to Tasmania.

[marquette]

And all the convict records are free until Sunday - Happy Australia Day

[Ammanda Schutz]

Thanks Kite. Just found a new clue from the indent records so there is a hole in the brick wall for my William James.