1891 New South Wales Census Records

FamilySearch.org has indexed records from the 1891 New South Wales census. This census lists the head of household, street address, and the number of male and female members of the household. There is also a separate column listing the “Number of Chinese and Aborigines” in the household, and another column for comments from the census takers. The collection can be searched by first name and last name.  You can also browse the 21,315 images that make up the collection.

Number of images per district

 Like many other Australian researchers I have long lamented the lack of complete census records available, and have joined others in urging our government to change its policy of destroying census records after statistical data has been extracted.  It is heartening to see a significant surviving record set now digitised and available - even if it doesn't cover any of my direct ancestors (sigh).

An example page from Albury

Victorian Asylum Records online

Did your ancestor spend time in an asylum in Victoria?  You may be able to access some of their records through Find My Past.
This record set includes eleven institutions, covering admission years from 1811-1919, and discharge dates from 1838-1914. While the information included varies, each transcript will include:

• Full name – note that some names may be truncated in the records (e.g. Elzbth for Elizabeth).
• Age
• Date of admission
• Date of discharge/transfer
• Method of discharge
• Hospital

My great great grandfather John Clark was admitted to Kew in May 1894 at the age of 59 suffering from dementia.  He was admitted on the authority of his son James after assessment by 2 doctors, and his admission record (below) notes him to be in feeble bodily health.  James died in Kew barely a month after his admission.

Kew Lunatic Asylum admission register for John Clark