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Archiver > AUS-VIC-GOLDFIELDS > 1999-07 > 0931245746


From: Strangman family <>
Subject: Re: Amherst..
Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 17:22:26 +1000


Leonie wrote:

>I am looking for any information about Amherst.. My g grandmother was born
there. I know her family lived there for some time. They were.. David and
Eliza Flowers.. I know the Flowers were there in 1859....
>Hoping someone can help..
>Regards Leonie
> Leonie
==============================
Here is a message I posted some time ago to people who were researching
AMHERST:

To John and others -

>From time to time I have seen puzzled researchers trying to obtain a lead
on Amherst or Talbot so I will put down what I have found out over the
years in the hope that it will go into the ROOTSWEB archives and others
will not have to 're-invent the wheel'.

For a start, Amherst was once known as Daisy Hill and Talbot was known as
Back Creek (as were a thousand other places ... similar to 'Nine Mile
Creek', 'Seven Mile Creek' and so on but you need to be careful e.g.
TARADALE was also known as Back Creek in those days.) You need to look
under ALL these names in any book indexes etc.

I am not *aware* of any published studies of the early days in either place
but I could be wrong. Their gold mining history is inertwined with places
such as Avoca, even Maryborough and so, for example, you will find
occasional references to Amherst in the Book "Avoca The Early Years" by
Margery and Betty Beavis, ISBN 0 9590279 1 2.

Look also in the Flett books, Serle's book, and other major studies of the
Victorian gold discovery years. If you read my article about the Lamplough
rush of 1859-60 at this Web address:
http://www.canberra.starway.net.au/~string/Article.html
you will soon realise that goldminers of those days tended to follow the
rushes and you can pick up references to them all over the place. If I was
trying to 'flesh out' the story about someone who was at Amherst or Talbot
in the gold discovery days I would also look at records covering: Avoca,
Maryborough, Ballarat, Bendigo, Carisbrook, Castlemaine, Lexton, Ararat etc.

I have identified in my Article source notes at the above Website the
contemporary newspapers that were helpful for this period.

I believe that the bushfires some years ago destroyed most of what remained
of Amherst although I can recall in the past driving off the main road to
see some brick remains, possibly of the school or hospital. There are many
reminders of the past at Talbot with early buildings still standing and
occupied.

Now, I'm a little biased because I maintain the website for the nearby
Avoca and District Historical Society Inc :-) but the ADHS has substantial
records covering the general area, including Amherst and Talbot. You should
check out the ADHS site at:
http://www.canberra.starway.net.au/~string/ADHSMain.htm
and see if it might be worth a name search or membership (only $2 extra).

I have an interest in Talbot because I am trying to follow the career of
goldfields lawyer and cheerful rogue MAURICE TRAVERS McDONOUGH, who died
there in 1861.

While researching recently at the Vic PRO I came across an 1865 petition
with the names of some Talbot residents and I have placed these names on
this webpage:
http://www.canberra.starway.net.au/~string/Talbot.html
I am still corresponding with the PRO about copying another similar
petition from Talbot. Because of the relationship between Amherst and
Talbot you might find relevant names there.

I have not publicised this Petition webpage too widely because I
anticipated it might prompt follow-up enquiries so I contacted the Talbot
Historical Museum people and recently received this response from Wilma
Bond: "I would be happy to answer any queries (about the petition names)
but I do not have a computer and neither does the museum". Wilma can be
contacted at: Talbot Historical Museum, Talbot Vic 3371. I know that their
group also has a copy of the early rate books. I cannot recall their
research fees but you should not expect them or any other Historical
Society to do research for free.

You can also search the on-line Index for holdings at the Vic PRO at:
http://www.vicnet.net.au/~provic/loh/indexa-d.htm

and this is what they have for Amherst:

2.11.0 AMHERST COURTS [VA 1480]

: Court of Petty Sessions Cause List Books
1859-1867 2 volumes Open LAV VPRS 1389

: County Court Plaint Summons Files
1859-1889 1 box Open BAL VPRS 5804

: County Court Records
1859-1891 2 volumes Open LAV VPRS 1392

: Plaint Summons Files
1860-1870 1 box Open BAL VPRS 5791

: Court of Mines Register
1862-1863 1 volume Open BAL VPRS 5790

: Court of Mines Register and Petty Sessions Fee Book
1862-1865 1 volume Open LAV VPRS 1390
-----------
9.1.0 AMHERST DIVISION MINING REGISTRAR, MARYBOROUGH DISTRICT

: Register of Claims
1869-1880 1 volume Open BAL VPRS 1649

: Register of Applications for Mining Leases
1892-1902 1 volume Open BAL VPRS 1624
-----------
12.4.0 AMHERST POLICE OFFICE [VA 974]

: Police Journal
1857-1858 1 volume Open BAL VPRS 1015
-----------
Note that LAV means it is held at Laverton, and BAL means it is held at the
Ballarat Repository.

I hope this helps someone. Now, who can help me with information about
MAURICE TRAVERS McDONOUGH!

Cheers

Denis Strangman
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