NSW Convict Death records - where available?

[gazania]

I have found a death of a convict in 1831 in NSW on the online index for Convict Deaths at the NSW Archives site but with the notation "not available for copying".  The NSW BDM registry also has a reference on its online death index (?church record).

Is there anyway of obtaining a copy of the record to see where & how the convict died aged 23 apart from getting a transcription of the death from the Registry?  I  live in Brisbane.  Thanks Gazania

[giblet]

If you can give us a name someone might be able to find something for you 

Forgot to mention i have cert for 1829 for one of my lot, [who was not a convict], and there is very little info on it, its more like a burial record. No family info, no cause of death etc. I'll dig through my papers and see if i can find it so you can have a look.

[gazania]

Hi Giblet,

Thanks for your interest.  I don't expect much from the church burial either.  I was just wondering if there is a microfiche of the death record from the Archives which might give a bit more. According to a newspaper report, my man was sentenced to death but on a technicality he was sentenced to 12 months to the Iron gang instead.  He was, I think, already on the iron gang.  He died the same year.  I'll check my local libraries catalogues before I post his name etc.  Gazania

[majm]

I agree, you won't get much info from the ECR burial record issued by NSW BDM, but it may tell you the cemetery.   If buried in Sydney, it is possible the cemetery has been closed and possible re-interrment in different cemetery....  (Devonshire street Cemetery etc). 

Re NSW SRO ..... have you tried the following link

http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/indexes-online/indexes-to-convict-records/index-to-the-convict-death-register-1828-79/index-to-the-convict-death-register-1828-79

"Note: Each entry in the register is a one line entry only"  and
"Are copies available from this index?
 
There is a photocopy service available from this Index. You will see an 'Add to Cart' tickbox option on the search results page(s) "

Fingers crossed

Cheers,  JM

[gazania]

Thanks JM.  Yes I found that entry which on a separate page says no copy available. It is possible that the index entry is all there is, which after all does give a fair bit of info.  But I have just found that A....try has the same index/record, which I can view at my local library.  This way I can satisfy myself.  Regards, Gazania

[Billyblue]

Gazania, I think the 'not available for copying' relates to the pre 1856 microfilms of parish records.

If you are anywhere near QFHS library at Gaythorne, those films are available for looking at.
(Note, not open over Easter weekend)
Do you have the NSW BDM registration number?

But you won't get a cause of death or anything like we get on certificates from 1856 onwards.
You will probably get what ship he came on (one of mine has this information, in 1853) and his age, and maybe even his native place, if you're lucky.

Dawn M

[gazania]

Thanks, Dawn, for the information. I've gathered quite a bit about this chap apart from his cause of death.  I am curious as he died about 6mths after his death sentence was overruled.

Also it is an age since I did convict research - pre internet days - and now I find that while online indexes are great, the whereabouts/ access to the original records seem confusing. I was used to the microform records in libraries or a letter to the archives.  So that is why I like to find out where/how the records can now be accessed - probably right in front of my nose!  Thanks, Gazania

[Billyblue]

And if you're interested, as you say you are in Brisbane, QFHS are having a seminar on convicts on 1st June 2013 - "Convict Lives : Finding our Founders".   More info at www.qfhs.org.au
 
Dawn M

[gazania]

Thanks, Dawn, for the info about the seminar.

Today, I went to the local library to use A---try site.  There was the original record for the Convict deaths but it gave the same information as the Index that is on the NSWRO site, which probably explains why "Copy not available". (And no cause of death) I am now satisfied on that score.

But what I did find which I had never seen before was the handwritten original of the 1828 NSW census which was labelled as the "TNA" copy.  I found my man there.  They also had the printed version, labelled the Australian copy, which did not mention my man.

Thank you to all for your help.  Regards, Gazania