New South Wales, Census and Population Books, 1811-1825

This collection contains population, land, and stock books giving details on the population of New South Wales for the years 1811–1825. All of these records predate the first official census, which was held in 1828. Yearly musters were held in New South Wales for the first time in 1795. They served to both count the population and also to help determine whether the colony was self-sustaining. Other musters tallied convicts, settlers, specific segments of the population, or livestock. This database includes population, land, and stock musters as well as a few district constables’ notebooks.