William Thomas papers, 1834-1868, 1902

fonds

1834-1868, 1902

846266

MicrofilmRefer to Contents for location numbers

William Thomas, assistant protector and guardian of Aboriginals. The humanitarian recommendations of the 1837 select committee on Aboriginals resulted in Glenelg's decision to appoint a chief protector and four assistants for the Aboriginals of the Port Phillip District. Thomas was appointed by George Augustus Robinson as chief protector of the the Port Phillip, Westernport and Gippsland districts and soon established his base at Narre Warren from where he moved around with Aboriginal groups, rarely seeing his own family.

The Protectorate was terminated in 1849 and until his death he was chief government adviser on Aboriginal affairs and was the most influential witness at the 1858-59 select committee of the Legislative Council on Aborigines. His recommendation to establish reserves and supply depots throughout Victoria was accepted in a modified form and in 1860 became the policy implemented by the new Central Board for the Protection of Aborigines.

Reference:
Australian Dictionary of Biography Online. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/ (accessed March 26, 2008)

Volume 1: William Thomas journals, 1839-1844 and associated papers, 1834-1838
MLMSS 214/1 (Request Microfilm: CY 2604, frames 1-288)


Volume 2: William Thomas journals and associated papers, 1840-1843
MLMSS 214/2 (Request Microfilm: CY 2605, frames 1-402; CY 732, frames 379-761)


Volume 3: William Thomas journals and associated papers, 1841-1849
MLMSS 214/3 (Request Microfilm: CY 2606, frames 1-669)


Volume 4: William Thomas journals and associated papers, 1850-1859
MLMSS 214/4 (Request Microfilm: CY 3127)


Volume 5: William Thomas journals and associated papers, 1860-1867
MLMSS 214/5 (Request Microfilm: CY 3128, frames 1-402)


Volumes 6-7: William Thomas reports 1845-1862
MLMSS 214/6-7 (Request Microfilm: CY 3078, frames 1-230)


Volume 8: William Thomas letterbooks (2) 8 Sept-Dec. 1839; 1 Jan – 26 Aug. 1840
MLMSS 214/8 (Request Microfilm: CY 2946, frames 1-74)


Volume 9: William Thomas correspondence, returns, etc. 1838-1845
MLMSS 214/9 (Request Microfilm: CY 3082, frames 1-199)


Volume 10: William Thomas correspondence, returns, etc. 1846-1847
MLMSS 214/10 (Request Microfilm: CY 3083, frames 1-262)


Volumes 11-12: William Thomas correspondence, returns, etc. 1848-1851
MLMSS 214/11-12 (Request Microfilm: CY 3084, frames 1-317)


Volumes 13-14: William Thomas correspondence, returns, etc. 1852-1858
MLMSS 214/13-14 (Request Microfilm: CY 3085, frames 1-317)


Volume 15: William Thomas correspondence, returns, etc. 1859
MLMSS 214/15 (Request Microfilm: CY 3102, frames 1-164)


Volume 16: William Thomas correspondence, returns, etc. 1860
MLMSS 214/16 (Request Microfilm: CY 3103, frames 1-179)


Volumes 17-18: William Thomas correspondence, returns, etc. 1861-1862
MLMSS 214/17-18 (Request Microfilm: CY 3100, frames 1-237)


Volume 19: William Thomas correspondence, returns, etc. 1863
MLMSS 214/19 (Request Microfilm: CY 3104, frames 1-207)


Volume 20: William Thomas correspondence, returns, etc. 1864-1867
MLMSS 214/20 (Request Microfilm: CY 3105, frames 1-137)


Volumes 21-22: William Thomas papers, Language & customs of Australian Aborigines, 1838-1868
MLMSS 214/21-22 (Request Microfilm: CY 2984, frames 1-309)


Volume 23: William Thomas papers Language & customs of Australian Aborigines,1838-1868
MLMSS 214/23 (Request Microfilm: CY 3130, frames 1-272)


Volume 24: William Thomas papers Language & customs of Australian Aborigines,1858, and other papers, 1842, undated
MLMSS 214/24 (Request Microfilm: CY 3131, frames 1-194)


Volume 25: William Thomas letters concerning appointment as Protector of Aborigines, 1837-1839
MLMSS 214/25 (Request Microfilm: CY 3106, frames 1-25)


Volume 26: William Thomas journals and notes, 1832, 1852
MLMSS 214/26 (Request Microfilm: CY 3126, frames 1-261)


Volume 27: William Thomas newscuttings, letters and articles, 1845-1902
MLMSS 214/27 (Request Microfilm: CY 3106, frames 26-126)


Volume 28: William Thomas miscellaneous papers, 1842-1861
MLMSS 214/28 (Request Microfilm: CY 3177, frames 1-50)

William Thomas Pictorial material

Listing by volume

This collection includes pictorial material. For location and description of this see Pic.Acc4913 in Pic. Source File