Colonial Office records
The Colonial Office was responsible for the administration of the Crown colonies and for communications between Britain and the self-governing colonies. Its records therefore contain an enormous amount of information relating to the six Australian colonies, New Zealand, New Guinea and Fiji. Until the colonies became self-governing in the 1850s almost total power was exercised by the Governors. Their despatches dealing with all aspects of colonial life make up the main series of records. Of most importance are the Enclosures accompanying each despatch - statistical returns, reports of officials, letters and petitions from private individuals and newspaper and other printed items, many of which have marginal annotations made by departmental officials.
Contents of reels have not been described in detail or individual items indexed, however a general description of reel contents may be found in the Australian Joint Copying Project Handbook, Part 2, Colonial Office produced jointly by the National Library of Australia and the State Library of New South Wales.
CO 13 - South Australia - original correspondence
Reel No. |
Date Range |
INCOMPLETE set |
305 - 310 |
1831 - 1837 |
|
CO 201 - New South Wales - original correspondence
(including Tasmania up to 1825)
Reel No. |
Date Range |
COMPLETE set of CO 201 |
1 - 55 |
1784 - 1821 |
|
98 - 214 |
1821 - 1837 |
|
311 - 411 |
1838 - 1860 |
|
619 - 681 |
1850 - 1860 |
|
1806 - 1903 |
1861 - 1900 |
|
CO 207 - New South Wales - entry books relating to convicts
Reel No. |
Date Range |
COMPLETE set of CO 207 |
57 - 59 |
1788 - 1867 |
|
CO 225 - Western Pacific - original correspondence
Reel No. |
Date Range |
COMPLETE set of CO 225 |
2277 - 2345 |
1872 - 1902 |
|
2861 - 2882 |
1903 - 1909 |
|
2914 - 2942 |
1910 - 1913 |
|
3094 - 3097 |
1912 |
|
CO 280 - Tasmania* original correspondence - Secretary of State
(*before 1825 see CO 201)
Reel No. |
Date Range |
COMPLETE set of CO 280 |
230 - 287 |
1824 - 1849 |
|
475 - 577 |
1838 - 1849 |
|
687 - 752 |
1849 - 1860 |
|
1963 - 1994 |
1865 - 1900 |
|
2971 - 2981 |
1861 - 1864 |
|
CO 323 - Colonies General - original correspondence
Reel No. |
Date Range |
INCOMPLETE set |
986 |
1834 - 1845 |
|
CO 385 - Emigration - Australia - letters from Secretary of State
Reel No. |
Date Range |
INCOMPLETE set |
865 |
1855 - 1871 |
|
CO 386 - Land and Emigration Commission
(South Australian content)
Reel No. |
Date Range |
INCOMPLETE set |
866-868 |
1838 - 1844 |
|
874-875 |
1836 - 1894 |
|
987 |
1834 - 1874 |
|
CO 396 - South Australia - entry books of correspondence
Reel No. |
Date Range |
COMPLETE set of CO 396 |
876 |
1834 - 1844 |
|
877 |
1842 - 1849 |
|
878 |
1849 - 1854 |
|
879 |
1849 - 1861 |
|
880 |
1864 - 1866 |
|
881 |
1867 - 1873 |
|
CO 419 - Fiji - register of correspondence
Reel No. |
Date Range COMPLETE set of CO 419 |
2899 |
1888 - 1898 This item is on ADM 51, Reel 2900 |
CO 514 - South Australia - register of out-letters
Reel No. |
Date Range |
COMPLETE set of CO 514 |
2675 |
1873 - 1900 |
|