Australia, New South Wales, Index to Bounty Immigrants - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection will include records from 1828 to 1842.

This index consists of two kinds of interfiled cards: brief handwritten and pre-printed typewritten. The cards are in alphabetical order by surname and then by given name.

These records include an index about 60,000 records of immigrants arriving in Sydney. Beginning in 1828, the Australian Government organized a program to encourage people to migrate to Australia, particularly to the State of New South Wales, which had been founded in 1788. “Assisted Immigrants” were immigrants whose passage was paid for or partially paid for by the Government as an incentive to settle in New South Wales.

Children are often listed separately on a brief handwritten card with no parent’s name as well on the father’s card under “children”.

Another program which ran from 1835 to 1841 was the bounty reward system. “Bounty immigrants” were selected by colonists who then paid for their passage. When the immigrant arrived, a colonist would employ the immigrant and the employer would then be reimbursed by the government for all or part of the cost of passage. The first immigrants to apply for this assisted immigration, were the people from Ireland, England, Wales, and Scotland. Later, people from other European countries began immigrating to Australia.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Passenger Index
 * Passenger’s name
 * Age
 * Estimated year of birth
 * Native place of birth
 * Name of spouse
 * Native place of birth
 * Names, birth dates and ages of children
 * Occupation
 * Religion
 * Father’s name
 * Mother’s name
 * Name of ship
 * Date of arrival

How Do I Search This Collection?
As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the 


 * 1) Select Principal's surname
 * 2) Select Principal's given names to view the images

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Search for death records
 * Search for death or burial information in the BillionGraves Index or at Find A Grave


 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname
 * Search the records of nearby areas

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname
 * Search the records of nearby areas
 * Check for other names. An individual might appear under an unexpected name for a variety of reasons:
 * A woman may have returned to her maiden name after the death of her husband

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Australia.
 * Record Finder
 * Australia Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.