Gustavus Birch diary
Collection
Accession number
M 779
Date
1873-1874
Abstract
Original diary written by Gustavus Birch 1873-1874, with a transcript and several photographs.
Scope and content
Gustavus Birch lived on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) for 30 years and kept this diary for the year 1873, the earliest known existing personal account of life on the island. In the diary he mentions traditional methods of fishing and food gathering, living conditions on the island, relations between non-Indigenous settlers and the Traditional Owners of the island, the Quandamooka people.
Description
1 diary, 3 letters, 4 photographs
Additional format
Digital copies available for selected items
Administrative / Biographical history
Gustavus was a brother to Charles Weldon Birch (1821-1894) a surveyor, explorer and avid plant collector, who later became a pastoralist in the Warrego area, Queensland. Many of his collections are held at the Herbarium and Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne.
Access restrictions
Unrestricted access.
Copyright status
Out of copyright.
Conditions of use
You are free to use without permission. Please attribute the State Library of Queensland.
Notes
Users are advised that this Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander material may contain culturally sensitive imagery and descriptions which may not normally be used in certain public or community contexts. Annotation and terminology which reflects the creator's attitude or that of the era in which the item was created may be considered inappropriate today. This material may also contain images, voices or names of deceased persons.
Preferred citation
M 779, Gustavus Birch diary, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.