Muster (census)

In the colony of New South Wales, Australia, a muster was an extension of a Military Muster to the general populace. A general muster was held when deemed necessary to count the convicts and general population. Many people were not included. Musters were held in the years:

• 1788 A list of persons victualled in NSW and Norfolk Island
• 1806 A General Muster in NSW of convicts, emancipists, livestock and land.
• 1810 to 1820 Returns of convicts in the Colony on 1 January 1810 and of those who arrived up until September 1820.
• 1811 A General Muster in NSW, Port Dalrymple, Hobart Town and Norfolk Island
• 1814 A General Muster was held in NSW which was arranged by districts.
• 1818 Muster of free persons at Hobart Town.
• 1819 Muster of persons at Hobart Town and Port Dalrymple.
• 1820 and 1821 Muster of convicts and their children at Hobart Town.
• 1822 Muster supplying alphabetical returns of persons in NSW and also of convicts in Van Diemen's Land.
• 1823 Muster of convicts in Van Diemen's Land.
• 1825 General muster of all inhabitants in NSW, except the military.
• 1837 General muster of all convicts in NSW and Norfolk Island.
• 1841 Censuses of NSW, Adelaide, Van Diemen's Land and Port Philip.
• 1891 Census of NSW. ^[1]

References

1. ^ Reakes, Janet, The A to Z Genealogical Handbook, Methuen Australia, 1986, ISBN 0-4540-0953-4