Shipping and Passenger Records

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are kindly advised that this website includes images, sounds and names of people who have passed.

All users should be aware that some topics or historical content may be culturally sensitive, offensive or distressing, and that some images may contain nudity or are of people not yet identified. Certain words, terms or descriptions may reflect the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written, but are now considered inappropriate in today's context.

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

Unassisted passengers

What is an unassisted passenger?

An unassisted passenger was able to pay for their passage to the colony.


Resources

Findmypast.com.au

Visit the Library

Available Online

Search Historical Newspapers

Newspapers can provide shipping and passenger information that is often unavailable elsewhere.

Shipping intelligence columns

Shipping intelligence columns can be found in the major Australian and British newspapers. You can find information about a ship's voyage, including the date and port of departure and arrival, ship movements, the name and status of passengers and any references to ship deserters and shipwrecks.

Abbreviations

Below are the abbreviations used in the Index to unassisted arrivals, 1842-1855.

C Crew
M Master
P Passenger
SMH Sydney Morning Herald
SGT Shipping Gazette and Sydney General Trade List
SR/ SR NSW State Archives & Records New South Wales