NSW orphan schools records, 1817-1833
The State Library of NSW and State Records NSW both hold a number of records relating to the Orphan Schools run by the colonial government of New South Wales. These include:
- Applications for admission into orphan schools, 1825-1833
- Application for children out of orphan schools 1825-1833
- Female orphan school admission books 1817-1832
- Male orphan school Admission books 1819-1847
- Colonial Secretary, Special Bundle List of 117 boys received into the Male Orphan Institution 1818-1824
- Protestant Orphan School Admission Book (Female) 1827-86
- Protestant Orphan School Admission Book (Male) 30 Apr 1850-31 Aug 1886
How to find out about a convict's family
You will first need to search the online index which will provide you with location details to help you view the original records at State Records NSW. In some cases you can also view the records at the State Library of NSW. You can also search the index on microfiche in the Family History Service.
- STEP 1
Search the index
Click Search the Index on the 'Index to Orphan Schools records' page of the State Records Authority of New South Wales website.
- STEP 2
Click into the search box next to 'Child's Surname' and enter then surname of the orphan you are searching for. You can also search the index (or limit your search) by orphan's first name or age, parents' names or date of petition. A surname search is usually the most effective way to search, but remember that a child may have taken the surname of either parent. Searching by parents' names may be less successful as many records lack entries for either the father or the mother or both.
Then click Submit Query.
TIP
You can use wildcards if you care unsure of the spelling of a name. For example, GR%Y in the surname field will return 'GRAY' and 'GREY' and 'GRADY'. Wildcards are also useful when searching for first names as they allow for middle names and initials. For example, WILL% will return 'WILL', 'WILLIAM', 'WILLIAM L', 'WILLIAM JOHN' etc.- STEP 3
- Scroll through the results until you find the entry you are looking for. Each entry in the index may give you the date of petition, name and age of orphan, parents' names, name of petitioner, reason for petition, a page number, a series number, an item number and a reel number. Note down all information in the entry taking particular note of the reel numbers (if you would like to look at copies of the original records).
- STEP 4
View the record
If the reel number that you noted from the index entry is 2776 or 2777 (part of the Archives Resources Kit), you can view the records in the Family History Service in the State Library of NSW - go to Step 5.
Alternatively (or if the reel number is not one of the above two), you can order a copy of the record by ticking the box next to the entry and clicking on Submit Order. State Records NSW will charge you for this service.
You can also view the records on microfilm by visiting State Records NSW or any of the community access points.
- STEP 5
If your entry number came from Reel 2776 or 2777, you can view the Orphans records (see full catalogue details for this item) in the State Library of NSW. Locate the microfilm reel that corresponds with the number you noted in the index entry on the microfilm shelves in the Family History Service.
- STEP 6
Load the microfilm into the microfilm reader and press the forward button on the microfilm reader to search through the records. The records are filmed chronologically within each type. Use the date of petition from the index entry to help you search these records. You may need to browse quite extensively before you find the record you are looking for.
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