Examples of records in our collection relating to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, are discussed in context in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney - Bicentenary story.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Overview
NSW State Archives holds a number of records which document the activities and development of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney from 1816 on, as well as related areas which fell under its administration over time.
This guide outlines the main record series in our collection that relate to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Other records can be found in our catalogue by searching under the Surveyor General and Lands Department.
List of main record series
Colonial Secretary
| Series | Title | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| (Various) |
Colonial Secretary's Papers (online index). About the index (link to search at top of page). |
1788-1825 |
| NRS 905 |
Main series of letters received [Colonial Secretary]. Search in indexes and then use registers to identify location of letters bundles relating to the topic of interest. Consider keywords which relate to the changing names, functions, events, and areas associated with the Garden's history, e.g. Botanic, Gardens, Domain, Farm Cove, Flora; as well as the names of botanists and other employees who worked in the Gardens. For the years arranged by subject there are Colonial Botanist/Botanist bundles, covering the years 1833-49 (excluding 1843 and 1846):
|
1826-1982 |
|
NRS 898 & |
Special Bundles. Consider keywords as suggested above. Look for references to the Botanic Gardens and grounds in the record series. Lists (by year range) in the left-hand column in the Colonial Secretary Guide » |
1794-1982 |
Public Works
| Series | Title | Dates |
| NRS 12419 |
Special Bundles. Consider keywords as suggested above. |
1846-1963 |
Botanic Gardens
There are a number of series which were created by the Botanic Gardens over its history, which are viewable in the Royal Botanic Gardens agency description. Key resources include:
| Series | Title | Dates |
| NRS 13110 |
Letters received and minutes of proceedings of the Committee of Management of the Botanic Gardens. Item [4/7577]. |
1836-1896 |
| NRS 13115 |
Correspondence files [Royal Botanic Gardens]. Search for subjects (within item titles) using the search window below the series description. Note: records less than 30 years old are closed to public access. |
1894-2009 |
| NRS 20161 |
Unregistered correspondence files [Royal Botanic Gardens] Search for subjects (within item titles). |
1897-1972 |
Botanic Gardens employee records
| Series | Title | Dates |
| NRS 13129 |
Register of employees This register shows employee's date of birth, date of employment, status, salary and adjustments to salaries, or a change in duties. Occasionally marital status, housing allowances, leave of absence, pensions and dates of death are given. There is an index at the front of the volume. This volume has also been indexed by our Volunteers. Item [X1600], Reel 1705. Search the Botanic Gardens and Government Domains Register of Employees Index. |
1863-1926 |
Other sources
Government publications such as:
- Votes and Proceedings and Parliamentary Papers
- Hansard of the Parliament of NSW
- Government Gazettes
- Returns of the Colony ('Blue Books')
Access to the records
Unless otherwise stated, these records are available to view at the Western Sydney Records Centre.
![Botanic Gardens (L-R cropped and aligned to scale) in 1833, 1867, and 1914. From SR Map 5472, SR Map 5473, and NRS 12060, [9/4699], 15/2043](../../../sites/default/files/Public%20Access/NowAndThen/Gardens%201833-1914_0.jpg)