WHAT I HAVE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES FOR
AMHERST AND TALBOT
(Copy of a posting sent to various E-mail lists during 1998 and 1999)
From time to time I have seen puzzled researchers trying to
obtain a lead on Amherst or Talbot so I will put down what I have
found out over the years in the hope that it will go into the
ROOTSWEB archives and others will not have to 're-invent the
wheel'.
For a start, Amherst was once known as Daisy Hill and Talbot was
known as Back Creek (as were a thousand other places ... similar
to 'Nine Mile Creek', 'Seven Mile Creek' and so on but you need
to be careful e.g. TARADALE was also known as Back Creek in those
days.) You need to look under ALL these names in any book indexes
etc.
I am not *aware* of any published studies of the early days in
either place but I could be wrong. Their gold mining history is
inertwined with places such as Avoca, even Maryborough and so,
for example, you will find occasional references to Amherst in
the Book "Avoca The Early Years" by Margery
and Betty Beavis, ISBN 0 9590279 1 2.
This tourist website contains a potted history of the area and
also some current information:
http://www.walkabout.fairfax.com.au/fairfax/fairfax/locations/VICTalbot.shtml
Look also in the Flett books, Serle's book, and other major
studies of the Victorian gold discovery years. If you read my
article about the Lamplough rush of 1859-60 at this Web address:
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~adhs/Article.html
you will soon realise that goldminers of those days tended to
follow the rushes and you can pick up references to them all over
the place. If I was trying to 'flesh out' the story about someone
who was at Amherst or Talbot in the gold discovery days I would
also look at records covering: Avoca, Maryborough, Ballarat,
Bendigo, Carisbrook, Castlemaine, Lexton, Ararat etc.
I have identified in my Article source notes at the above Website
the contemporary newspapers that were helpful for this period.
I believe that the bushfires some years ago destroyed most of
what remained of Amherst although I can recall in the past
driving off the main road to see some brick remains, possibly of
the school or hospital. There are many reminders of the past at
Talbot with early buildings still standing and occupied.
Now, I'm a little biased because I maintain the website for the
nearby Avoca and District Historical Society Inc :-) but the ADHS
has substantial records covering the general area, including
Amherst and Talbot. You should check out the ADHS site at:
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~adhs/ADHSMain.htm
and see if it might be worth a name search or membership (only $2
extra in addition to membership).
I have an interest in Talbot because I am trying to follow the
career of goldfields lawyer and cheerful rogue MAURICE TRAVERS
McDONOUGH, who died there in 1861.
While researching recently at the Vic PRO I came across an 1865
petition with the names of some Talbot residents and I have
placed these names on this webpage:
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~adhs/Talbot.html
I am still corresponding with the PRO about copying another
similar petition from Talbot. Because of the relationship between
Amherst and Talbot you might find relevant names there.
I have not publicised this Petition webpage too widely because I
anticipated it might prompt follow-up enquiries so I contacted
the Talbot Historical Museum people and recently received this
response from Wilma Bond: "I would be happy to answer any
queries (about the petition names) but I do not have a computer
and neither does the museum". Wilma can be contacted at: c/-
Talbot Historical Museum, Talbot Vic 3371. I know that their
group also has a copy of the early rate books. I cannot recall
their research fees but you should not expect them or any other
Historical Society to do research for free.
You can also search the on-line Index for holdings at the Vic PRO
at:
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~provic/loh/indexa-d.htm
and this is what they have for Amherst:
2.11.0 AMHERST COURTS [VA 1480]
: Court of Petty Sessions Cause List Books
1859-1867 2 volumes Open LAV VPRS 1389
: County Court Plaint Summons Files
1859-1889 1 box Open BAL VPRS 5804
: County Court Records
1859-1891 2 volumes Open LAV VPRS 1392
: Plaint Summons Files
1860-1870 1 box Open BAL VPRS 5791
: Court of Mines Register
1862-1863 1 volume Open BAL VPRS 5790
: Court of Mines Register and Petty Sessions Fee Book
1862-1865 1 volume Open LAV VPRS 1390
-----------
9.1.0 AMHERST DIVISION MINING REGISTRAR, MARYBOROUGH DISTRICT
: Register of Claims
1869-1880 1 volume Open BAL VPRS 1649
: Register of Applications for Mining Leases
1892-1902 1 volume Open BAL VPRS 1624
-----------
12.4.0 AMHERST POLICE OFFICE [VA 974]
: Police Journal
1857-1858 1 volume Open BAL VPRS 1015
-----------
Note that LAV means it is held at Laverton, and BAL means it is
held at the Ballarat Repository.
I hope this helps someone. Now, who can help me with information
about MAURICE TRAVERS McDONOUGH!
Cheers
Denis Strangman
Mailto:string@hotkey.net.au
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