Public Record Office Victoria  
Home Contact Us Site Map
 
Series VPRS 4026
Town Clerk's Inwards Correspondence Register
About this Series Related Series Accessing the records in this Series
Date Range: Series 1859 - 1910
  Series in Custody 1859 - 1910
  Contents 1859 - 1910
Public Access: Open
Location: North Melbourne
Format of Records: Physical
 
Agency which created this SeriesAgency which created this Series
Display entries per page
Date Range Agency Title Agency Number
1859 - 1910 Melbourne (Town 1842-1847; City 1847-ct) VA 511
Agency currently responsible for this SeriesAgency currently responsible for this Series
Display entries per page
Date Range Agency Title Agency Number
1859 - cont Melbourne (Town 1842-1847; City 1847-ct) VA 511
Description of this SeriesDescription of this Series
  • How to use the Records
    Inwards correspondence was registered in chronological order by date of receipt. Each item of correspondence was classified under a subject heading, and filed together with other correspondence received on the same subject for that year.

    If the researcher knows the approximate date when a letter from a particular party might have been written or received by the Town Clerk, then they should scan the register for that period, to ascertain the subject heading under which it was filed. This will be found in the left-hand column of the register. Refer to the consigment details to identify the volume of the Correspondence Register that you require.

    The letter may then be found in VPRS 3181 Town Clerk's Correspondence Files Series I. The Records Description List is arranged in alphabetical order by subject headings and in chronological order by years (roughly) under each heading. Note the Unit number for the correspondence you require.

  • Function / Content
    Inward correspondence was registered in these volumes. The subject under which the item of correspondence was filed is also indicated in these registers. This facilitated the retrieval of correspondence.

    An index was commenced at the front of some volumes (unit 2 for example) but not maintained consistently throughout the life of the series.

  • Recordkeeping System
    Inward correspondence was registered in these registers. Each item of correspondence was allocated the next available sequential number from the register. A docket (a simple file cover) was made for each piece of correspondence and the subject heading under which it was to be filed was written on the top left hand corner. The docket also shows the name of the person or government department from whom the letter was received, the date written, date received, registration number, summary of contents of letter and action taken (e.g. file).

    Unit 1 of this series was used to register correspondence for the years 1859, 1860 and 1864. During this time different ways of handling inward correspondence were tried. In 1859 correspondence was registered using an annual single-number system, the correspondence being filed according to the subject of the letter. In 1860 a new system was introduced, a description of which is contained in the register. The letters were to be registered by correspondent: miscellaneous (presumably individuals), government departments and municipal. The correspondence was then filed under the subject of the letter. In 1864 the system reverted to an annual single number system, the correspondence filed under the subject of the letter. The latter is the system which was continued.

    The registration numbers of the correspondence sometimes began with 1 at the commencement of the year and at other times continued on from one year to the next.
More research resourcesMore research resources
Indexes and RegistersIndexes and Registers
Display entries per page
Date Range Series Title Series Number
1907 - 1908 Subject Index to Town Clerk's Registered Correspondence VPRS 8905
1907 - 1909 Name Index to Town Clerk's Registered Correspondence VPRS 8906
Controlled SeriesControlled Series
Display entries per page
Date Range Series Title Series Number
1859 - 1909 Town Clerk's Files, Series I VPRS 3181
1910 - 1910 Town Clerk's Correspondence Files II [MCC Series 120] VPRS 3183
Previous SeriesPrevious Series
Display entries per page
Transfer Date Series Title Series Number
Subsequent SeriesSubsequent Series
Display entries per page
Transfer Date Series Title Series Number
- 1910 Town Clerk's Register of Inward Correspondence VPRS 8907
List/s of records in this seriesList/s of records in this series
Display entries per page
Consignment Number Contents Date Range Public Access No. of Units
P0001 1859 - 1910 Open 37
Indexes and RegistersIndexes and Registers
Display entries per page
Date Range Series Title Series Number
1907 - 1908 Subject Index to Town Clerk's Registered Correspondence VPRS 8905
1907 - 1909 Name Index to Town Clerk's Registered Correspondence VPRS 8906
More research resourcesMore research resources

More Help
Help On This Page

A series is a group of records which are recorded or maintained by the same agency (or agencies)

Series information helps you to understand the context of records - why, when and by whom they were created.

To locate records use the "Accessing the records" tab.

More about series details pages

   
© Copyright 2005   Government of Victoria   Disclaimer    Accessibility   Privacy   Contact Us