Author Topic: Alexander Turnbull Library Lookup (Read 771 times)

edesearch · « **on:** Wednesday 11 December 19 03:04 GMT (UK) »

Hi,

Is anybody planning a visit to the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington? If yes, may I request a lookup?

The library holds James Busby’s “Dispatches from the British Resident, 1833-1839”. It contains a census conducted in 1838 of Northland Residents. I specifically wanted to know whether the census records somebody with the surname Sinclair living in the area.

Kind Regards
Edesearch

spades

Hi Edesearch,

Yes, I can have a look for this.

Spades

edesearch

Awesome, thanks Spades.

minniehaha

See also........

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=820726.msg6831737#msg6831737

[Reply #1]

Minniehaha.

spades

Hi Edesearch,

I have just sighted the typewritten transcript of Busby's Dispatches from the British Resident, 1833-1839. There was a reference in the index to a census taken in 1836, but I found no census included on the relevant pages, noe any mention of the name SINCLAIR. The Dispatches comprise letters from Busby to his superior, and there are several references to documents that do not appear in the Dispatches themselves.

I note Minniehaha's reference to an earlier topic with a link to this webpage with a partial(?) 1838 census. The source for the census is not provided.
http://www.ourhokianga.com/census1838.htm

If you can find a citation for the census I'm happy to go back and have another look, but I suspect that the person who posted the census online might be able to assist more easily.

Spades

minniehaha

From reply #3..

In the link provided [see reply one in that link] I suggested that the website owner be contacted for further information. [Spades has also indicated that you do this.] His name and e-mail address are at the foot of the page in the link.

Minniehaha.

edesearch · « **Reply #6 on:** Friday 20 December 19 01:49 GMT (UK) »

Hi Spades,

Thank you for taking the time to help me out, I really appreciate it.

I’m only just realising now that info(at)ourhokianga.com is the email address for the website owner. When I first looked back in November this didn’t occur to me so I sent an email to the acting museum curator listed on the website's home page. I received the following reply from her on the 3rd of November:

“The copy of a portion of James Busby’s 1838 census is transcribed from the copy held at the Alexander Turnball Library in Wellington. I recommend that you direct your inquiry to this institution”

I then sent an email to the Alexander Turnbull Library asking for photos of the census and received the following reply on the 8th of November:

“Thank you for your email to the Alexander Turnbull Library asking for photos of the 1838 Census that are included in qMS-0344 Despatches from the British Resident.

You didn’t specify a particular page, so I am sending you the first 5 pages”

I have attached the five pages that were sent to me below. I asked if they would check to see if the surname Sinclair appeared anywhere in the census, however, they never replied.

I think I might just send a message to the Hokianga website owner and see if they have any info to share, if not, I will get back in touch with the Library.

Thanks again, I’ll let you know how I get on.

Kind Regards
Edesearch