Hamilton District Historical Society

Small museum and archives held in the old Warden building next to the Council Chambers. Please contact the Central Highlands Council for any information regarding Hamilton’s history.
Administration & Works & Services
6 Tarleton Street, Hamilton TAS 7140
PO Box 20, Hamilton TAS 7140
Phone: (03) 6286 3202
Fax: (03) 6286 3334
Email: council@centralhighlands.tas.gov.au or  leyles@centralhighlands.tas.gov.au

  

 

 

 The Hamilton collection consists of family documents, photographs and objects. A new display of Matron Elizabeth Orr who worked in South Africa during the first world war.

25 Comments

25 thoughts on “Hamilton District Historical Society”

  1. I am hoping that you might have some archival records associated with the deaths of a father and son at Hamilton. George Wynne Teagle aged 1 died 08 September 1874 and his father John Teagle died the next day 09 September 1874.
    Thanking you in anticipation, Marls Mesenberg

  2. I help my friend find his family, he was adopted . Born 22/11/ 1974.
    Pamela ruth hoskinson, 24 years old of Po box 7 hamilton was married to brian michael hoskinson. his father was peter harold hoskinson. Pamela was born in 1950.Maiden name Alexander.
    Kind regards Sallee. I have the papers too
    Sent from my iPhone

  3. Hi my name is John Hills my great great grandfather was Joseph Hills from Hamilton via Soham Cambridgeshire cutesy of His majesty government seems I Had lots of relatives from around Hamilton and New Norfolk areas.I,m presently in Hobart from 17/2/2014 till 21/2/2014

  4. Thank you John for your message and I have emailed to the group for them to respond to you. Best wishes, Sue

  5. Hi there 🙂
    I’m researching Anne Vernon, my 3rd great grandmother – she married a Stratton on release. I have quite a bit of information but am confused as to how many children she had and would like anything else I can get. Are you aware of much information, stories, photos or anything on her?
    Regards
    Caryn

  6. What are your hours of operation ? I will be passing through Hamilton on 4th June 2014. My interest in Hamilton is my maternal great grandparents JAMES ARTHUR JACKSON and EDITH MAUDE BURGESS were Hamilton residents.
    I am aware of some of the history but maybe there might be small snippets of information I may pick up

  8. Seeking some help on finding a property or Derwent River location that has vanished in the mists of time.

    Trying to find a place called “Sandy Point” from the 1840 period. May well have been on the Ellendale side of modern Lake Meadowbank towards the dam itself. Could be a connection with the Rayner family who had “Fairydale’ and “Sandy Gully” properties in the same area.

    Any help greatly appreciated.

  9. My GG Grand mother Mary Donaldson (Nee Beach) is listed as dying at the mill Hamilton Tasmania. Her husband John Henry Donaldson was a flower miller. I was hoping that someone may know where the mill was located and if there are any remains?

    Regards Greg

  10. Hoping you have information on Samuel Michael drake born 1852 could be michael samual drake born east coast to susan mundy & samuel drake new information is that Thomas Drake was his father & they lived at Bothwell also James Hann adopted him James owned farm called LUFTON & it was left to samuel after Jame’s wife died? any imformation would be helpful. Thank you.

  11. Hi,

    Im seaching for information too on “Rayner family” from Hamilton. In particular on the location of property of “Sandy Gale” and “Fairydale”. Im interested in the ownership of the property. I am a descendant of Mary Ann Lawrence who married Robert Hallier Rayner in 1840.

    Any assistance would be fantastic- maps – modern names

  12. Dear Tanya,

    Curiously I just recently helped someone on the AUS-Tasmania mailing list with similar information regarding Samuel Michael Drake.

    Search that list and you will find that thread. Contact for me could be made through the list if able to assist more…

    Regards,

    Peter J Oakley

  13. Hi, My interest is in any information on John Smith who was a convict transported to Tasmania. John’s conduct record indicates that he was initially sent to Hamilton.I noticed the heritage centre was a place convicts were sent so he may have stayed there? The appropriation list shows that soon after John was assigned to Mr. Mark, a ticket of leave man, at New Norfolk. He was still with Mark in July 1839 when admonished for disobedience of orders and neglect of duty. He was appointed as a police constable on 26 October 1839 and stationed at Hamilton. I wonder if he saw any irony in now being a policeman after his run-ins with the law? His appointment probably indicated that the authorities had developed some trust in him, plus the fact that he was “a powerful man”. In February 1841 Constables John Smith and Charles Atkins placed 50 ewe sheep in the Public Pound at Hamilton.(Colonial Times 16.2.1841) I noticed on your site a photo of policemen and I wondered if he might be one of them? Is the old police station still there?
    John’s convict record shows that he was reprimanded on 2 May 1840 for neglect of duty and again on 20 January 1843 for misconduct. On 2 February 1844 he was found to have neglected his duty by which John Woolley, a felon, escaped from the watchhouse. He was dismissed from the police force and sentenced to four months hard labour. He received his ticket of leave on 11 March 1845 and received his pardon on 23 November 1847.
    He lived with his wife Elizabeth in Hamilton for about 10 years and they had 7 children, 4 of them born in Hamilton. I noticed there is an old school house but not sure if it was there in 1840’s?
    I’m looking into a trip to Tassie so would be glad to hear what buildings, photos, registers you might have pertaining to this family.
    Thanks,
    Pauline

  14. Hello,
    Do you know anything about a house in Hamilton under the name “Millhouse”. I have a reference of one Montford Jenkins having that address in the mid 1920s.
    Thanks
    Roger

  15. Good morning.

    Re; Benjamin Parker.

    I am trying to research any information on my Great Grandfather Benjamin Parker, who was resident in the Hamilton District in the late 1800’s. The only specific detail that I have been able to trace is his marriage to my Great Grandmother Elizabeth Mabel Wright on 17th April 1887. The registration entry records his age as 28 which would mean he was born about 1859, but where?

    From Elizabeth Wright’s records it would appear they had one child born pre-marriage, Eliza Grace Parker (born 1886).

    After the marriage there appears to be an additional 4 children where Benjamin Parker was the father but I have been unable to prove this as birth records do not name the father.

    These children were:

    Benjamin Weymouth Parker (1888-1893)

    Ellen Jane Parker (1895-1925) also known as Ellen Jane Squires

    David Monto Parker (1898-1973) Generally known as David Monto Squires, and many later documents list his father as Henry Squires. Monty Squires was my Grandfather.

    Eileen Blanche Parker (1900-1919) alo known as Eileen Blanche Squires.

    All the named persons lived in or around the Hamilton district.

    Basically, the life of Benjamin Parker before and after the marriage to Elizabeth Wright is a mystery, and any information the you may have would be of great assistance.

    Looking forward to your reply,

    Kind regards

    David Squires
    Auckland
    New Zealand

  17. Hi I am looking for Michael Whelan b abt 1821 Ireland d dec 1883 Launceston- his wife Emma Curren b 1836- d 27 april 1874,
    and their children Elizabeth- James Michael- Michael Thomas, any info on them would be great

  18. Hello, I have just found this site and realise I may be pushing my luck! Today is Monday October 26th, and we will be in Hamilton on Saturday 31st. I am looking for the directions to Stephens Roman Catholic Church at Hamilton. I have discovered it is on Hamilton Plains Road, but am not sure how far along, as it seems quite a long road. I have seen a photo of the church and it’s cemetery. I have ancestors buried in there, and am hoping to get a photo.
    I look forward to hearing from you.
    Kind regards,
    Deb Visser

  19. My great grandfather John Smith convict then constable at Hamilton searching hard for info. A mystery man before his life as a convict sent out on the ship Blenheim11 (4) 1851-10-31
    Are there any photos or info available anywhere. 1821 – 1906 married Catherine Sheilan -Sheelon -Shelvon at New Norfolk. Married at NewNorfolk 23 Aughust 1854 She passed away they had three female children.Elizabeth, Margaret and Catherine. He later Married Hannah Francis Simpson.
    Would be excited of any information I can get. Impossible to find his Parents and family from Ireland.
    Regards
    San002

  20. Hi there,
    Looking for more information on District Constable John Elley who seemed to be stationed at Hamilton definitely between 1844-1848. He was one of three who presented William Tarleton (police magistrate) with a cigar case in 1846.
    Hope to hear from you soon.
    Samantha Elley

  21. HI,
    I AM JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT A BIT OF HISTORY ON THE LITTLE COTTAGE LISTED FOR SALE AT 71 FRANKLIN PLACE, HAMILTON. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APRECIATED.
    KIND REGARDS
    LEN PINSON

  22. I am trying to find records of my great grandfather. His name was Thomas Horton and my grandmother Annie love had my grandfather in July 1879 in Melbourne. I am wondering if he could be the Thomas Horton buried in Hamilton Tasmania on 12.01. 1891. Registration no 352. He is believed to have been born in 1817 in New York and come to Australia during the gold rush. Can you help me?

  24. Do you have any information on John Francis Forrester KERR, merchant and dealer. My convict ancestors were assigned to Mr Kerr 1835-1841 but I am unable to find whereabouts Mr Kerr lived. Was it a farm or a house in the village? All help gratefully received.
    Convict ancestors assigned were William Poultney – labourer/carrier/overseer; Charlotte Holland – house maid (died 1838) & Margaret Robertson – house servant.
    thanks, Maree

  25. Hello!

    I’ve been researching my family history and have been trying to work out when the earliest was that any of them settled here. My ancestor was an Amelia Lloyd, nee Gibson and William Lloyd. I can’t work out if he was a free man or not, I couldn’t find Amelia Gibson in the convict records, so she must’ve either been free or born there. It’s very hard trying to trace the family trees back! Any information would be appreciated, I know 2 of their daughters were buried in Hamilton/Hobart areas.
    Kind Regards,Nicole.

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