NRS-5264 | Immigration deposit journals

Full description

These journals record moneys deposited in the Colony by persons wishing to sponsor the immigration of a nominated person or group of persons, frequently members of their own family or persons they wished to employ.

Initially, these volumes show certificate number; particulars re Colonial Treasurer's report; name of depositors; amounts deposited towards cost of passage and of outfit; and name and age of sponsored migrant. Later, their form changes, and they then show certificate number; deposit number; name of depositor or sponsor; date of deposit; particulars of name, age, calling and address (in the United Kingdom) of the sponsored migrant; name and address (in the United Kingdom) of referee; amount paid towards cost of passage and outfit; nationality (English, Scotch, Irish, Foreigner) of sponsored migrant; ship and date of arrival; and, if necessary, date of refund of deposit on account of the non-arrival of the nominee.

All volumes keep running totals of deposits received, while the later volumes also keep running totals of the figures appearing under the heading "nationality of sponsored migrant".

These volumes are particularly valuable for the period 1860-62 when the Board's Immigrant Lists are missing; and after 1870 when they no longer supply the place of origin within the county in Ireland.

Many months would usually pass between the deposit of the money and the arrival of the immigrant and researchers should keep this time lapse in mind when using these records.

Indexes

Indexes to the depositors are located in the front of volumes 4/4577, 4/4583-88 and 4/4591-98. 4/4578 is a separate index covering the period October 1856 to December 1857, for which the register does not appear to have survived, and 4/4590 is a separate index to volume 4/4589.

A consolidated index to these records, to both immigrants and depositors, has been compiled by Pat Stemp and Aileen Trinder and published on 20 microfiche. State Records holds sets at SR Fiche 5246-5265.

(4/4576-98; microfilm copy SR Reels 2668A-2676). 23 vols.

Note:
This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.