John William MacGillivray - diary, 1882 - 1884; with typescript transcript

MLMSS 6186

fonds

1882 - 1884

96375

Microfilm : Original diary at MLMSS 6186; frames 163-355: typescript transcript of diary)

1 box - 0.13 Meters
Textual Records
Textual Records - (typescript)

John William MacGillivray was born in 1853, the son of John MacGillivray and Williamina Paton, nee Gray. His father, a naturalist and son of the eminent British ornithologist William MacGillivray, was naturalist on the surveying voyage of HMS Rattlesnake which left England for Australia in December 1846.
John William MacGillivray and his wife Mary had several children: the eldest, William Henry (Harry) was born in 1873, Hannah (died prior to 1882), Walter (died September 1882), Minnie, Bessie, and Elsie who was born in June 1883. When the diary begins (1 Jan. 1882) he was employed by the Australian Joint Stock Bank in George Street, Sydney, until poor health forced him to resign; after a period spent living in the country, he returned to Sydney and was given a job at the Australian Museum by E.P.Ramsay, who had known his father. During the three years covered by the diary the family lived mainly at Petersham and Summer Hill in Sydney and at Murrumbatemann, near Yass, NSW.

1 Jan. 1882 - 31 Dec. 1884; John William MacGillivray's diary contains detailed daily entries of the duties he performed at work, the friends and relatives he visited, letters sent and received, the state of his health, the weather. He records his search for accommodation for his family mainly in Sydney's inner west; the illness and subsequent death of his son Walter; items purchased; significant events of the time. The diary has an index, and a typescript transcription. There are a few loose pages of manuscript notes made at a later date, presumably by a descendant of John William MacGillivray. (Call No.: Z MLMSS 6186 )