Searching the Tasmanian Archives with Keith Windschuttle
Posted 24 Jul 2026
The late historian Keith Windschuttle debated historian Henry Reynolds at the National Press Club in 2002, during which Windschuttle told the audience he had, “done a lot of work, especially in the Tasmanian archives where I've spent a large amount of the last three months going through the records there.” [See here at 39:20]
This resulted in Windschuttle publishing a detailed bibliography of the 17 volumes of primary records held in Tasmania that formed the basis of his archival research for his book, The Fabrication of Aboriginal History, Vol 1, Van Diemen’s Land 1803-1847, Macleay Press, 2002, p437.
We have reproduced here the citations for these 17 volumes of records in the Archives of Tasmania (AOT) and the online links that now make these primary sources conveniently available to researchers.
Dark Emu Exposed employs script transcribers and an example of some documents that Windschuttle cites regarding the Inquest into the Gough killings have been sourced online according to Windschuttle’s bibliography and then transcribed (see below).
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS: Archives Office of Tasmania, Hobart, Colonial Secretary's Office papers. [1]
The seventeen volumes from 1/316 to 1/332 in file 7578 of the papers of the Colonial Secretary's Office during the regime of Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur were compiled on the instructions of Arthur to bring together all government documents relevant to Aboriginal policy.
Within each volume there are further divisions designated by additional numerical suffixes. For example, 1/317/7578 contains 1/317/7578/2 and 1/317/7578/3. However, because there is another, alternative set of suffixes to these volumes, they are too confusing to use in a bibliography. They are of no help to researchers anyway, since volume, file and page numbers are all that is needed to find a source in the microfilmed copies of the original documents.
#1 - CSO 1/316/7578 Reports of the murders and other outrages committed by the Aborigines upon the settlers and reports of sightings of the natives in the settled districts.
#2 - CSO 1/317/7578 Minutes of the Lieutenant-Governor. Colonial secretary's letters, present orders and proclamations. Reports from Mr G.A. Robinson whilst in command of the different establishments formed for the Aborigines.
#3 - CSO 1/318/7578 Reports of Mr G. A. Robinson whilst in pursuit of the natives.
#4 - CSO 1/319/7578 Papers relating to, and reports of the committee formed for the purpose of superintending matters relative to the Aborigines.
#5 - CSO 1/320/7578 Reports of police magistrates concerning the roving parties and other matters from 1827. Batman's reports 1829-30. Cottrell's reports 1831-3. Jorgenson's reports 1828-31. Danvers's reports. Reports and journals of various roving parties.
#6 - CSO 1/321/7578 Applications of and offers of services from individuals to be employed in search of Aborigines and other Aboriginal services.
#7 - CSO 1/322/7578 Applications to go in pursuit of the Aborigines. Applications for rewards for capture and requisitions for supplies.
#8 - CSO 1/323/7578 Mr Jackson's of the cutter Charlotte reports respecting the islands in the straits. Suggestions from settlers about the capture of natives. Answers given by settlers to certain questions submitted to them by the Aborigines Committee.
#9 - CSO 1/324/7578 Papers relative to the campaign after the natives in 1830. Proceedings of and letters written by the Lieutenant-Governor. Major Douglass's reports. Reports etc of the commissioned officers. Names etc of different parties out on the line. Miscellaneous letters and reports.
#10 - CSO 1/325/7578 Correspondence etc concerning the Flinders Island establishment.
#11 - CSO 1/326/7578 Correspondence chiefly concerning the roving parties.
#12 - CSO 1/327/7578 Papers relative to the Sydney natives used in the capture of the Aborigines. The eligibility of Bruny Island for the Aboriginal Establishment. Two native boys held by Batman at Ben Lomond.
#13 - CSO 1/328/7578 Lieutenant-Governor's minutes. Government orders and proclamations. Correspondence concerning the issue of stores.
#14 - CSO 1/329/7578 Correspondence relating to roving parties and the Black Line.
#15 - CSO 1/330/7578 Miscellaneous papers including Major Abbotts various reports. Charles Sterling's reports. Mr Curr's and other reports respecting the death of an Aboriginal female at Emu Bay. Reports of killings and captures. Some Flinders Island papers.
#16 – CSO 1/331/7578 Letters and reports in connection with Gilbert Robertson's expedition in pursuit of Aborigines. Memorandum for journal of roving party under Gilbert Robertson.
#17 - CSO 1/332/7578 Minutes of the Aborigines Committee. Journals of roving parties under Gilbert Robertson.
[1] Based on the classification of Keith Windschuttle, The Fabrication of Aboriginal History, Vol 1, Van Diemen’s Land 1803-1847, Bibliography, Macleay Press, 2002, p437,
Example 1 - The Gough Killing Inquest
Windschuttle wrote of an incident, the Gough family killings of 1828 during the troubles between the settlers and the Tasmanian Aborigines, that he had uncovered in the archives. He based the following paragraph (Figure 1) in his book based on the Inquest notes into the event, found at CSO1/1/316/7578, p168, 170-1 (see Figures 2A to 2D)
Figure 1 - Extract on the Gough killings and the archival citation. Source: The Fabrication of Aboriginal History, Vol 1, Van Diemen’s Land 1803-1847, Bibliography, Macleay Press, 2002, p86
The relevant pages as downloaded files from the AOT for CSO1/1/316-7578 are shown below. All the pages of the Inquest notes - p166 to 172 - are included here for context even though Windschuttle only cites pages 168, 170-1..
Figures 2A - Downloaded image of Inquest notes p166. Source: CSO 1/316/7578 , p166
Figures 2B - Downloaded image of Inquest notes p167-8. Source: CSO 1/316/7578 , p167-8
Figures 2C - Downloaded image of Inquest notes p169-170. Source: CSO 1/316/7578 , p169-170
Figures 2D - Downloaded image of Inquest notes p171-172. Source: CSO 1/316/7578 , p171-2
Transcription of the above hand-written Inquest notes Figures 2A-2D
At Gough's Hut, Big Lagoon
Oatlands
11th October 1828
Proceedings of an Inquest held on view of the Bodies of Anne Geary and Alicia Gough.
Jurors
Peter Harrison
Harvey Vachell
James Mackersy
Charles Mills Cogle
George Lindley
John Watts
Grove Sampson
Frederick Thomas Bradley
John Page
Joseph Pendle
Richard Walters
James Pittfield
Patrick Gough — Sworn — Saith
I know the deceased females. Anne Geary was my near neighbour and Alicia Gough is my daughter. About noon or a little after on Thursday last the 9th instant my Wife said she heard the cries of a Woman. I looked out at the door and saw the deceased Anne Geary running towards my hut. I ran out to meet her accompanied by my Wife and my Servant man Edward Bates, and Jerry, Mr Stokell's Stock keeper. When we got to her she appeared nearly exhausted and was in a great fright. She told me that she had seen the natives coming towards Mortimer's Hut, and she begged me and the other two men to go to Mortimer's Hut to prevent the natives from getting Mortimer's Gun and the ammunition. I and the two men went to Mortimer's Hut with great speed. That Hut is about a mile and a half
Pages 167–168 (Image 4)
[Page 167]
from my Hut. Bates carried a Gun, and Jerry and myself carried each a Black Stick only. When we got to Mortimer's Hut the door was open and many things were thrown about on the floor and outside the door. I looked for the Gun with the ammunition but could not find it. The Blankets too were gone. We then returned towards my Hut. On the way I thought I heard a shriek. I hastened towards home as fast as I could. About a mile from my Hut I met my eldest Girl Mary, covered with blood. She said to me "Father, my Mother and my Sister are killed by the Blacks make haste make haste". I and the two men then ran as fast as we could. About half a mile from my Hut I saw my Wife sitting on the Ground leaning with her back against a fence with my child Esther in her lap. My Wife said "Gough, my dear, I am gone, the Blacks have killed me". She appeared to me to be covered with Wounds. I tore off part of my Shirt to tie round her head. My Wife then fainted. I then ran to my Hut to look for my other Child Alicia. I found her lying on the ground in front of the door with her arms extended. I thought she was dead. I carried her into the Hut. I found then that she had a little life in her. On entering my Hut I saw the Deceased Anne Geary lying on the floor of the Hut, with some gashes on her Head. I lifted Anne Geary from the Ground and put her on a Sofa, and then she vomited much blood. About two hours afterwards Anne Geary died. My daughter Alicia died about midnight of the same day. The deceased Alicia Gough was nearly four years old. Anne Geary had cohabited many years with Noah Mortimer. I did not see any Black Natives. I picked up a [?] two Spears and a Waddy such as are commonly used by the Black natives. My Axe lay at the door, and
[Page 168]
had marks of blood on it. My little girl Mary told me that the Natives hit Anne Geary with the axe at the door, and that they had beaten her (Mary) and her deceased Sister Alicia with their Waddies. When I left my Hut to go to Mortimer's as I have stated, there were in the Hut six Blankets, two Sheets, three or four knives, a Basin containing some Eggs and twenty Dollars, all of which were taken away in my absence. My daughter Mary is seven years old. Anne Geary told me when she came with an alarm about the Natives on Thursday that she had locked the door of Mortimer's hut and left a Dog there. The Dog was gone when I reached the Hut the door was open, and it had evidently been effected by force as the bolt was bent.
My Wife told me on Thursday that she fell on her knees to the natives and said "Spare the lives of my Picaninies" and that One of the Black natives replied in good English "No you white Bitch we'll kill you all": and then repeated their blows on her: I never asked my Wife if she saw Anne Geary killed. My Wife is prevented by the Doctor from speaking on account of the Fever occasioned by her Wounds. The first person who came to my Hut after the murder was Mr Cogle. (Signed) Patk Gough.
Sworn before me }
the 11th October 1828 }
(Signed) Thomas Anstey Coroner.
Edward Bates — Free by servitude — Sworn — Saith.
I am servant to Patk Gough On Thursday last just after I had been called to dinner I saw Anne Geary running towards Gough's Hut
Pages 169–170 (Image 1)
[Page 169]
apparently much alarmed. At her request Gough, I, and Mr Stokell's man Jerry went to Mortimer's Hut distant about a mile and a half to protect it from the Natives, a body of whom she said was approaching it. When we reached it we found the door burst open and the bedding and other things thrown about. We then hastened home and saw Gough's eldest daughter Mary coming to meet us screaming and she said her mother was dead. We then hastened towards the House and saw Mrs Gough sitting by the fence apparently dying. I then approached the Hut and saw the deceased Child Alicia lying before the door and I thought she was dead. I was so shocked that I did not go inside the Hut. I went to Mr Cogle's to give an alarm and procure assistance. I returned a little before dark. When I arrived at the Hut I saw Anne Geary lying dead, and the Child Alicia died about eleven the same night. I saw no natives. Mrs Gough and the little girl, Mary Gough, told me soon after, the same evening, that shortly after my master, I, and Jerry went to Mortimer's Hut about Twenty of the Black Natives came, and killed Anne Geary, and nearly killed them.
(Signed) his + Mark. Edward Bates
Sworn before me }
the 11th October 1828 }
(Signed) Thomas Anstey Coroner.
John Maule Hudspeth. Sworn. Saith — I am a Surgeon at Jericho. — On Thursday last the 9th instant I heard that the natives had committed one of their
[Page 170]
usual outrages at the Hut of Gough near the Big Lagoon. I rode there immediately to see if my professional services were necessary. I reached Gough's Hut which is about four or five miles from my house about six o'clock in the Evening. The deceased Anne Geary was then lying dead in the Hut. — Mrs Gough had received two Spear wounds in the thorax, and some in other parts of the body, and her head was lacerated all over with wounds inflicted by some blunt instrument. I think she has twelve or thirteen such wounds on the head. Her eldest daughter Mary had also received several contused wounds on the head. The second daughter Alicia I found labouring under symptoms of compression of the Brain apparently occasioned by a contusion on the back of the head. The youngest child, an infant of thirteen months old had received several contusions of a much slighter character. I dressed the wounds of Mrs Gough and her eldest daughter, and I bled Alicia and left them about ten o'clock that night. — I returned again to Gough's Hut the next Morning when I found the child Alicia dead, and Mrs Gough in a very perilous state. In that state she still continues. I consider that it will be highly dangerous to the woman if she should be called upon to answer questions. — I examined Anne Geary's wounds of the head and breast. — On the left side of her head she had received a deep gash into the Brain, apparently inflicted with an Axe,
Pages 171–172 (Image 2)
[Page 171]
besides another fracture of the skull occasioned apparently by a blunt instrument, and several spear wounds on the breast, any of which wounds were, in my opinion, mortal. — I did not encourage Mrs Gough to speak. I was obliged to check her when she shewed a disposition to do so. — She said she felt she was dying, and she stated that Anne Geary and herself and the children had received their wounds from a Horde of Black Natives. — The death of the Child Alicia Gough was, as I have every reason to think, occasioned by the Contusion on the head. (Signed) Jno M. Hudspeth
Sworn before me
the 11th October 1828
(Signed) Thos. Anstey Coroner.
Mary Gough being questioned by the Coroner and Jury as to her notions of the moral obligation of an oath she said she knew she should go to a bad place if she told a lie, and she refused to be sworn. Her head appeared to be nearly covered with wounds, and bruises which she said had been inflicted on her by the Black Natives on Thursday, who she said had attacked her and her mother and Mrs Geary and her little Sister Alicia. She said that
[Page 172]
she was attempting to carry her sister Alicia away from them when the natives struck them both with Waddies. This little girl said she could not read, but she shewed considerable intelligence in her answers to the questions put to her. She said that when the natives struck her she fell down "as dead as a Gum stick" with her little Sister under her, and that when she came to herself the natives were gone.
Verdict. — Wilful Murder against certain persons unknown belonging to the Aboriginal Tribes of the Island. —
Example 2 - Note Anstey to Burnett (see Windschuttle citation in Figure 1 (above)
Figures 3 - Downloaded image of Anstey to Burnett letter p759. Source: CSO 1/316/7578 , p759
Page 759 (Image 5)
[Left leaf, page 758 — cover note]
Oatlands
2nd Dec: 1830
Sir
In obedience to the Government Order No: 12 bearing date the 9th October 1830 I have the honor to send you, in 28 pages, a return of the outrages committed [by] the Aborigines [within] the District [of] Oatlands from the commencement [?] [...]
[Right leaf, page 759]
Nominal List of Inquisitions held by Mr. Anstey on the bodies of twenty two persons Murdered by the Aborigines from the 8th November 1826 to the 31st December 1830.
1826
November 8th — James Scott, at the Hermitage, River Shannon —
1827
June 26th — John Flood, at the Arthur Mill, Blackman's River
October 24th — William Bennett, Currijong Bottom, Maxwell parish, Oatlands —
1828
March 8th — William Walker, Norwood, Clyde
September 6th — Samuel Clarke, Bothwell.
October 11th — Alicia Gough, York parish, Oatlands
" " — Anne Geary, York parish, Oatlands
" 24th — John Langford, Huntingdon parish, Oatlands
" 31st — Esther Gough, York Parish, Oatlands
December 4th — Adam Wood, MacGilli Marsh, Blue Hills, Oatlands
