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Archiver > AUS-Tasmania > 1999-04 > 0924084151


From: Monissa <>
Subject: Re: census records
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 20:02:31 +1000


Ruth Eschmann wrote:
>Hello, everyone
>
>Isn't it the modern census information which is in danger of
>destruction?
>"Australian Family Tree Connections" magazine has been running a
>campaign to prevent this occurring, and I think it was successful.
>
>I believe last century's census records for Tasmania are available
>through the Archives Office of Tasmania. Many years ago I accessed
>the 1848 census for Hobart, but can't remember whether it was on film
>or fiche.

Census details are available for 1845, 1848 and 185x (that's from memory
can't remember the exact years) BUT...

They are patchy (i.e not complete). Very patchy. From my own research, I've
found a whole one household (in Avoca, small country town). It might be
though, that the *index* is incomplete.

Also, you really need to know something about the family because all you
get is the town or street (in the cities) and the name of the head of the
household. So if you're after JOhn Williams in Launceston, I'd pass.

I havne't found the info itself particularly useful except for one category
(see below). It's basically 3 tables showing how many of each sex/age
groups are present for each religion, occupation and how they got there.

It's that last one that I've found worth looking for: options are (from
memory again) born in colony/arrived free/other free/various convict
categories. If you have a family with (for example) 2 adults and 3
children, it's easy enough to work out the (still an example) children were
all born in the clony, husband arrived free and the wife is bond. *very
useful* is you don't know this. (other free = ?? emancipated convicts is
all I can think of)

As for using it to trace someone, there are better ways. Post office
directories of course for later years, early electoral rolls don't seem to
have the required coverage (due to people needing to meet the criteria to
enrol then bothering to enrol). Assessment rolls are great from country
areas after 1858 (in the Hobart Town Gazette)

Muster maybe? Never seen one myself

OK enough rambling

Monissa

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