1828 New South Wales census

The 1828 New South Wales census was the first population census held in the Crown Colony of New South Wales, forty years after it was established. The month used for the census, was taken in November 1828. The total population of the colony was counted as 36,598 and recorded all inhabitants, both convict and free. Only the European population were enumerated. Censuses were taken periodically in the colony thereafter.

History

Before 1828, the population count was originally gathered through surveys and musters, however they were largely undercounted. The first survey of the NSW settlement was made in 1795. The general musters were held annually from 1795 to 1825 with separate ones being taken, for example - musters of settlers, livestock, convicts, or ones that included only males, females or children.Census / Musters Guide - NSW State Archives and Records An act (9 Geo IV No. 4) was passed to allow the census. The incumbent Governor Sir Ralph Darling on 29 July 1828 transferred to the Rt. Hon. William Huskisson for King George IV's approval.Census / Musters Guide - NSW State Archives and RecordsCensus of New South Wales - November 1828 (Page:10 of 60)

Census questions Information recorded in the census included: Name of inhabitant Age Free or bond Ship name on which arrived Year arrived Sentence Religion Employment Residence District Total number of acres Number of acres cleared Number of acres cultivated Number of horses Number of horned cattle Number of sheep

Results The total population was counted as 36,598, 20,870 were free and 15,728 were convicts. There were 25,248 Protestants and 11,236 Catholics. The Indigenous population were not counted.

A quote from the Sydney Gazette in December 1828 describes life as:

Religion The following table is compiled from the actual religion given on the returns and from the Public Record Office. Religion Population % Baptist 1 - Calvinist 1 - Catholic 8,51523.4 Church of England 35 - Deist 2 - Dissenter 2 - Episcopalian 17 - Free Thinker 1 - Hebrew 8 - Hindu1 - Jew 860.23 Lutheran 3 - Malay 3 - Mohammedan 10 - Pagan 2 - Presbyterian 2490.68% Protestant21,14858.21 Quaker6 - Seeker1 - Wesleyan7 - Not recorded 6,28717.27 New South Wales 36,385100

Land and livestock Showing the numbers of land and livestock. County / District Num. of acres located Acres cleared Acres cultivated Horses Horned cattle Sheep Argyle & St Vincent 295,921 33,311 2,836 2,087 66,697 116,021Bathurst & Wellington Valley250,796 39,0373,497 1,216 45,447172,953Camden incl. Illawarra 97,113 7,723 3,278 4528,962 17,805Cumberland Airds & Appin96,719 18,168 9,172 899 13,694 19,832 Bringelly & Cooke 89,978 11,674 4,052 596 10,182 19,242 Liverpool Town & District66,569 9,340 2,222 635 3,906 6,198 Parramatta Town & District 82,676 17,969 6,626 1,191 15,035 13,189 Penrith 78,051 16,997 5,690 795 7,660 12,388 Sydney Town & District 272,513 21,639 5,065 1,643 28,598 24,086 Windsor Town & District105,57732,049 18,156 1,650 21,048 30,354Northumberland & Durham Hunters River & Port Stephens1,465,95321,666 10,844 1,311 41,319 104,123 Manning River 4,4802,000 85 4320 200Totals2,906,346231,57371,52312,479262,868536,391

Copies Only two copies of the census results were produced, all compiled within two years of the census. One comprising six-volumes was kept in New South Wales (NRS 1272), with a seven-volume draft copy sent to the Public Record Office (PRO) in London. Copies are available on microfilm from the State Archives and Records NSW and from The National Archives (TNA) at Kew.1828 New South Wales - Australia Census (Australian Copy) The copy in Sydney was handed over in 1901 to the Registrar General; kept in a locked case and highly guarded for over 60 years.Colonial census - a transportation to 1828; Documentation held by NSW State Archives and Records records the transfer of the case in 1901 In 2019 the Records of the 1828 Census held by NSW State Archives and Records were inscribed on the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register.

1828 New South Wales census

Bron en licentie