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Series VPRS 1087
Despatches from the Secretary of State to the Governor
About this Series Related Series Accessing the records in this Series
Date Range: Series 1851 - 1926
  Series in Custody 1851 - 1926
  Contents 1851 - 1926
Public Access: Open
Location: North Melbourne
Format of Records: Physical
 
Agency which created this SeriesAgency which created this Series
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Date Range Agency Title Agency Number
1851 - 1926 Governor (including Lieutenant Governor 1851-1855 and Governor's Office) VA 466
Agency currently responsible for this SeriesAgency currently responsible for this Series
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Date Range Agency Title Agency Number
1982 - cont Department of the Premier and Cabinet VA 1039
Description of this SeriesDescription of this Series
  • How to use the Records
    Function

    This series consists of bound despatches, representing the official channel of communication from the British Secretary of State responsible for the administration of the Colonial (later Commonwealth) Office to the Governor of Victoria. The Secretary's official title has changed over time, these being Secretary of State for War and the Colonies (to 1854), for the Colonies (to 1925), for Dominion Affairs (to 1947) and for Commonwealth Relations. Bound duplicate copies of despatches sent from the Governor to the Secretary of State are found in VPRS 1084.

    The despatch itself consists of an item of correspondence written by the Secretary and, in many instances, a number of enclosures. The enclosures touch on matters referred to in the despatch and appear to be copies of original documents presumably held in London. Occasionally intermingled between despatches are letters from the Secretary acknowledging the receipt of despatches which have not necessitated a despatch in reply. As a security measure, a duplicate copy of each despatch was usually sent on a different vessel. These were left unbound and are found in VPRS 1086. Circular despatches were not bound in these volumes until 1877, previously being bound separately in VPRS 1088. Confidential despatches to 1884 were also bound separately in VPRS 1090.

    System of Arrangement/Control

    This series is arranged chronologically. Individual volumes were allocated a consecutive volume number which is emblazoned on the spine. Volumes usually span either a whole or half year. In instances where a year is covered by two volumes, the latter volume was allocated the next available consecutive number although it is identified as being part 2. The exceptions are the volumes relating to 1878 (items 32 and 33) which were marked as parts 1 and 2 of Volume 32.

    Until 1912, each despatch was allocated an annual single despatch number on receipt by the Governor's Office. This number was then entered on the despatch but not on any enclosures. Despatches in individual volumes are bound in despatch number order.

    The series is controlled by VPRS 1404 Register of Despatches 1851 - 1911. These registers record information regarding a despatch's arrival in despatch number order. Registers between 1851 - 1872 contain indices although a separate index (VPRS 7572) was created to index registers spanning 1873 - 1911.

    From 1912, despatch numbers were allocated by the British Office (once again through an annual single number sequence) and were printed on the despatch. A separate sequence was utilised to cover circulars. As despatches, therefore, were received in despatch number order, the registers were no longer required. Instead, the despatch was registered as an item of inward correspondence through VPRS 7576, Registers of Inwards Correspondence the despatch number being noted in the column headed "No. of Letter".

    The despatches were still bound in this series until 1927 when they were placed within the sequence in VPRS 7575, Inward Registered Correspondence 3. Consequently, from 1927 despatches received were subject to normal inwards file treatment so VPRS 7576 will need to be consulted to determine whether other items were attached to the despatch or if it was referred to another department.

  • Function / Content


  • Recordkeeping System
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Indexes and RegistersIndexes and Registers
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Date Range Series Title Series Number
1851 - 1911 Register of Despatches from the Secretary of State to the Governor VPRS 1404
1873 - 1911 Index to Register of Despatches from the Secretary of State to the Governor. VPRS 7572
1912 - 1926 Registers of Inwards Correspondence VPRS 7576
Controlled SeriesControlled Series
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Date Range Series Title Series Number
Previous SeriesPrevious Series
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Transfer Date Series Title Series Number
- 1877 Circular Despatches from the Secretary of State to the Governor VPRS 1088
Subsequent SeriesSubsequent Series
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Transfer Date Series Title Series Number
List/s of records in this seriesList/s of records in this series
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Consignment Number Contents Date Range Public Access No. of Units
P0000 1851 - 1910 Open 88
P0001 1911 - 1926 Open 16
Indexes and RegistersIndexes and Registers
Display entries per page
Date Range Series Title Series Number
1851 - 1911 Register of Despatches from the Secretary of State to the Governor VPRS 1404
1873 - 1911 Index to Register of Despatches from the Secretary of State to the Governor. VPRS 7572
1912 - 1926 Registers of Inwards Correspondence VPRS 7576
More research resourcesMore research resources

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