Aboriginal Protectorate and Guardian of Aborigines records

PROV holds many important records created during the operation of the Chief Protector of Aborigines (1838-1849) and the Guardian of Aborigines (1850-1860).

There are many series of records covered by this guide, they are listed by name underneath the green search form. 

The individual records in these series include descriptions you can see in the PROV online catalogue, however only a few series are able to be viewed online due to cultural sensitivity.

The original records have been digitised and are available to view via a dedicated online portal at the Victorian Archives Centre Reading Room in North Melbourne. 

The ability to search these series is dependent upon available descriptions. You could try keywords, dates, places, or names of Protectors, for example. In some cases, browsing the contents of a series may be more effective.

There are several options for researching these records:

1. Search across many record series by using the combined search form below.

   or

2. Clicking directly into the individual series listed in "Full List of Record Series" below (and then search for items on their individual pages)

The Aboriginal Protectorate was established in 1838, with George Augustus Robinson as Chief Protector stationed in Melbourne. Four assistant protectors were appointed to oversee and assist the Aboriginal population in the following regions of the Port Phillip District:

• Western District (Mount Rouse) – Charles Sievwright (to 1842)
• North-western District (Loddon) – Edward Stone Parker (to 1848)
• North-eastern District (Goulburn) – J Dredge (to 1840), William Le Souef (1840-1844)
• Westernport District (Narre Warren) – William Thomas (to 1849)

The Protectorate was largely unsuccessful and following a number of Select Committees the system was abolished, with William Thomas appointed in 1850 as Guardian of Aborigines in the Counties of Bourke, Mornington and Mount Evelyn. The Governor of Victoria established the central Board to Watch Over the Interests of the Aborigines in 1860, overseeing the development of a system of Aboriginal reserves and depots throughout the colony and the passage of the powerful Aborigines Protection Act 1869.

Chief Protector of Aborigines (VA512) 

Guardian of Aborigines (VA 513)

Superintendent, Port Phillip District (VA 473)

Chief Secretary’s Department (VA 475)

Department of Crown Lands and Survey (VA 538)

Native Police Corps (VA 4759)

Full List of Record Series 

You can search within these series directly on their landing page

1. Registered inward correspondence to the Superintendent, Port Phillip District relating to Aboriginal Affairs, 1839–1851 (VPRS 10) 
2. Unregistered inward correspondence to the Chief Protector of Aborigines - reports and returns, 1847–1851 (VPRS 11) 

3. Aboriginal Protectorate returns, 1840–1849 (VPRS 12)

4. Native Police corps, Narre Warren: day book, 1845–1853 (VPRS 90) 

5. Registered inward correspondence to the Superintendent of Port Phillip District from W. Thomas, Guardian of Aborigines, and E.S. Parker, Assistant Protector of Aborigines, 1850–1851 (2893)

6.  Chief Protector of Aborigines’ outward letter book, 1849–1850 (VPRS 2895)

7.  Registered inward correspondence to the Land Branch, Superintendent of Port Phillip District, relating to Aboriginal stations, 1847–1851 (VPRS 2896)

8. Copies of correspondence relating the establishment of the Aboriginal Protectorate, 1838–1839 (VPRS 4409)

9. Registered inward correspondence to the Land Branch, Superintendent of Port Phillip District, relating to Aboriginal stations, 1847–185 (VPRS 2897)

10.  Unregistered correspondence relating to the suspension of Charles Sievwright from the office of the Assistant Protector of Aborigines, Western District, 1842 (VPRS 4397)

11. Unregistered Correspondence Regarding The Dismissal Of W. Le Souef From The Office Of Assistant Protector Of Aborigines, North Eastern District, 1842–1844 (VPRS4398)

12.  Duplicate annual reports of the Chief Protector of Aborigines, 1845–1849 (VPRS 4399)

13.  Aboriginal Protectorate weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports and journals, 1839–1849 (VPRS 4410)

14.  Copies of registered inward correspondence relating to the Moravian Mission Lake Boga Aboriginal Reserve, 1851–1856 (VPRS 4411)

15.  Extract from the Launceston Examiner regarding a grand of land to G.A. Robinson, Chief Protector of Aborigines, 1847 (VPRS 4412)

16.  Copy (abridged) of the Chief Protector's journal of an expedition to the Eastern Interior, 1844 (VPRS 4414)

17.  Chief Secretary's registered inward correspondence relating to Aboriginal Affairs transferred to the Department of Crown Lands and Survey, 1851–1858 (VPRS 4415)

18. Outline of a plan of a mission to instruct Aborigines in the principles of Christianity, circa 1843 (VPRS 4465)

19. Unregistered papers relating to the Native Police Corps, 1848 - 1849 (VPRS 4466)

20. Aboriginal estrays, circa 1840-1860 (VPRS 6760)

21. Aboriginal Protectorate records - Stegley Foundation Collection, 1839-1841 (VPRS 13172)

1. Order records by logging in and selecting records of interest 
2. Access to digitised records online is available for VPRS 10, VPRS 11 and VPRS 90.
3. Access to digital copies of records that are not online is available via a dedicated portal in the Victorian Archives Centre reading room. Bookings are not required but please ask Reference staff in the Reading Room for assistance.