Census & musters

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1828 Census

Browse the digitised alphabetical returns. This was the first official census undertaken by NSW and covers some 36,500 inhabitants, both convict and free

1828 Census - extended webinar

Learn about the 1828 Census and why it was so significant. It has recently been added to the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register

1828 Census - mini webinar

The 1828 Census alphabetical returns are digitised and can be viewed online. This webinar takes a close look at the returns and what they can tell you

Blue Books (Returns of the Colony) 1822-57

Statistical returns of the Colony of New South Wales and of areas under its jurisdiction compiled annually from 1822 to 1857

Census & musters guide

Population muster and census records, 1788-1901

Census - 1841

The 1841 Census lists all the surviving householders' returns (heads of households only) and abstracts of returns

Census - 1901

This Guide lists the districts covered in the 1901 Census (NRS 685, Collectors' notebooks) which was taken on the 31 March 1901

NRS-1286 Returns of the colony, 1822–1870

This list contains 'Blue Books' 1822–1857, public service lists 1858–1870 and a note about civil officers

Records of 19th Century blanket lists and returns of Aboriginal people

The 19th century ‘blanket returns’ are lists of Aboriginal people who received blankets from the Colonial authorities. The records are broadly arranged by locality

Van Diemen's Land population records

Covering 1811-1821