Convicts: Life in the colony

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Key to library resources

Access anywhere with a library card In the Library (or anywhere with a Library card for NSW residents)
Available to access in the library Only in the Library
Publicly available online Publicly available

NSW orphan schools records, 1817-1833

How to use NSW orphan schools records, 1817-1833

Only in the Library You can use NSW orphan schools records, 1817-1833 when in the Library. Can't come to the Library? Contact us.

How to find out about a convict's family

STEP 1

Search for your orphan using the Child Care and Protection Index on the State Archives & Records NSW website. The index is also available on microfiche in the Family history area of the Governor Marie Bashir Reading Room. The index only includes records held here.

Searching by the orphan’s last name is the most effective way; however you can also search by the name of a petitioner or parents. A child may have taken the last name of either parent.

Here is an example of an index entry:

Surname

Ablett

First Name

[male]

Age

8 yrs

Petition Date

 

Commital Date

12/01/1832

Date of Discharge

 

Remarks

Petitioner: Ablett, Ann. Requesting entry of child into orphan school

Citation

NRS 782 [2]; Reel 2776, Page 243-246

Institution

Orphan Schools

STEP 2

Note down the details from the entry, in particular the Citation (reel number), to find the original record.

STEP 3

You can view as well as order copies of the records at State Archives & Records NSW. Some records are held at the Library.

  • For all records (including records held here) you can order a copy of the record through the State Archives & Records NSW website or you can view the records by visiting State Archives & Records NSW.
  • For records held here (records on reels 2776 and 2777) you will need to request NSW orphan school records, 1817-1833 at the Request desk in the Governor Marie Bashir Reading Room. Go to the page noted in the index to find the original record. The records are in date order within each type of record.

Go to the resource

What's in the orphan school records?

The records are quite detailed with information about the orphan, their parents and family circumstances.

The records listed below are included:

  1. Applications for admission into orphan schools, 1825-1833
  2. Application for children out of orphan schools 1825-1833
  3. Female orphan school admission books 1817-1832
  4. Male orphan school Admission books 1819-1847
  5. Colonial Secretary, Special Bundle List of 117 boys received into the Male Orphan Institution 1818-1824
  6. Protestant Orphan School Admission Book (Female) 1827-86
  7. Protestant Orphan School Admission Book (Male) 30 Apr 1850-31 Aug 1886

The first four series up to 1833 are held at the State Library and can be viewed here (part of the 'Archives Resources Kit'). The remaining series can only be viewed at State Archives & Records NSW. You can also order copies of the records through the State Archives & Records NSW website.