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Guide to the Records of the Victorian Exploration Expedition
and Relief Expeditions, 1857-1873.
The archives held at SLV:MS13071 and reproduced on seventeen microfilms, SLV:MSM424 to SLV:MSM440.
A Finding Aid is available at the State Library of Victoria website. The following extract from this Finding Aid gives an outline of the contents of this archive.
SLV:MS13071 consists of the original manuscript records held in Boxes 2075 to 2088B and 17 microfilm copies of the contents of these boxes, held at MSM424 to MSM440.
Application for access to be made to repository. Microfilm copy will be issued in preference to original manuscripts.
Summary:
The records of the expedition, including correspondence, despatches and reports; the field notes of William John Wills; the minutes of the Royal
Society (1857-1862); sketches of Ludwig Becker. Other groups relating to the various relief expeditions include the diaries of AW Howitt, records of Landsborough's contingent party, and the expeditions of Captain Norman and Walker.
Original manuscript, printed, pen and ink, pencil and watercolour illustrations. Microfilm copy of original manuscripts. Drawings by Ludwig Becker and Hermann Beckler individually catalogued and digitised in the Library's Multimedia Catalogue (www.slv.vic.gov.au). Search series entry for "Ludwig Becker sketchbook".
Descriptive list and card index available for reference. Cited in Guide to collections of manuscripts relating to Australia. Article based on these records in Gerard Hayes, Paper trails - the navigational records of the Burke and Wills Expedition in the SLV, La Trobe library journal.
Summary of contents
| RSV Exploration Committee Records | Microfilm Reels 1 to 8 | MSM424 - MSM431 |
| Victorian Exploring Expedition Records | Microfilm Reels 9 to 12 | MSM432 - MSM435 |
| Victorian Relief Expedition Records | Microfilm Reels 13 to 15 | MSM436 - MSM438 |
| Queensland Relief Expedition Records | Microfilm Reels 16 to 17 | MSM439 - MSM440 |
Detailed contents:
Royal Society of Victoria, Exploration Committee Records.
Microfilm Reels 1-8 - MSM424-MSM431Reel 1 - MSM424
Minutes of the RSV EC.Reel 2 - MSM425
Statement of views of the RSV EC and the EFC
Financial Records of the RSV EC.Reel 3 - MSM426
Applications to join the VEE received by the EC.Reel 4 - MSM427
Applications to join the VEE received by the EC.
Agreements drawn up between the RSV EC, members of the VEE & VRE.
Dispatches sent to Burke and Howitt by the RSV EC.Reel 5 - MSM428
Correspondence received by the RSV EC.Reel 7 - MSM430
Correspondence sent by the RSV EC.
Telegrams sent or received by the RSV EC.
RSV EC vouchers.Reel 8 - MSM431
Papers relating to the EFC set up to raise funds for the VEE.
Papers relating to the discharge by the Victorian Government
of all outstanding liabilities and obligations of the EC in relation to the VEE,
relief expeditions and the burial of Burke & Wills.
Miscellaneous EC documents relating to the VEE.
Miscellaneous EC documents relating to the relief of the VEE.Reel 9 - MSM432
Instructions issued to members of the VEE by the EC.
Dispatches sent by members of the VEE to the EC.
Statements sent by members of the VEE to the EC.
Reports sent by members of the VEE to the EC.Reel 10 - MSM433
Correspondence to or from members of the VEE.
Telegrams sent or received concerning the VEE.
VEE Vouchers.
Botanical, meteorological & astronomical observations of the VEE.Reel 11 - MSM434
Botanical, meteorological and astronomical observations of the VEE.
Journals and diaries of members of the VEE.Reel 12 - MSM435
Journals and diaries of members of the VEE.
Sketches and paintings made by Becker (not on microfilm).
Miscellaneous documents concerning the VEE.
Maps showing the routes of the VEE.
Papers relating to the Commission of Enquiry into the deaths.
Papers relating to the funeral of Burke & Wills.Victorian Relief Expedition Records
Microfilm Reels 13-15 - MSM436-MSM438Reel 13 - MSM436
Instructions issued to Howitt by the EC.
Dispatches sent by members of the VRE to the EC.
Medical reports sent by Dr James Murray to Howitt.
Telegrams sent or received concerning the VRE.
VRE vouchers.Reel 14 - MSM437
VRE vouchers.
Observations taken by members of the VRE.
Howitts expedition diaries and notebooks.Reel 15 - MSM438
Howitts expedition diaries and notebooks.
Maps showing routes of the VRE.
Miscellaneous documents concerning the VRE.Queensland Relief Expedition Records
Microfilm Reels 16-17 MSM439-MSM440Reel 16 - MSM439
Instructions issued to Walker by the EC.
Dispatches sent by members of Walkers Expedition to the EC.
Correspondence concerning Walkers Expedition.
Walkers Expedition Vouchers.
Walkers Expedition journals.
Instructions issued to Landsborough by the EC.
Dispatches sent by members of Landsborough's Expedition to the EC.
Landsborough's report to Captain Norman.
Correspondence concerning Landsborough's Expedition.
Papers relating to tenders for the conveyance of men and equipment.Reel 17 - MSM440
Landsborough's Expedition vouchers.
Landsborough's Expedition journals.
Instructions issued to or by Captain Norman.
Dispatches sent by Captain Norman to the EC.
Correspondence concerning the QRE.
Telegrams sent or received concerning the QRE.
Papers relating to tenders for the conveyance of dispatches and coals.
Captain Norman's Expedition journals.
Maps showing the routes of the QRE.
Miscellaneous documents concerning the officers and crew of Victoria.
