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*Tracing Your Roots > Caribbean > One People
* Government Gazettes 
 
Government gazettes are the official newspapers - the colonial equivalent to the London Gazette. Early gazettes were similar to local newspapers and included news on Europe, Britain, proceedings of Parliament, royal affairs, wars and affairs in other colonies as well as official notices.

Later government gazettes usually only contain official notices and announcements.

Government gazettes started at different times in different colonies and can vary quite considerably in their content. For family and local historians the information can include:

  • birth, marriage and death notices
  • sales of property in the courts of chancery and petty sessions
  • applications for naturalization
  • sales or transfer of land and property
  • lists of people applying for dog, liquor and gun licences
  • lists of jurors, midwives, nurses, doctors, constables and other public servants
  • public appointments, leave of absence, resumption of duty, promotion, transfer, and retirement
  • shipping intelligence of ships arriving and departing, together with occasional lists of first class passengers
  • voters lists
  • tax lists
  • occupiers of government land
  • probate of wills, cases of intestacy and guardianship
  • bankrupts and notices to creditors
  • letters waiting for collection in post offices
  • results of schools examinations
  • mortgages
  • exploration applications - oil and mineral, often accompanied with detailed maps
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Creators: Guy Grannum

 
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