Australian South Sea Islanders
Between the years 1863 and 1904 an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 South Sea Islanders entered Queensland.
South Sea Islanders were first brought to Queensland for work in the cotton fields, and by 1868 were mainly recruited to work on sugar plantations.
Recruited mainly from the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) and the Solomon Islands, these South Sea Island labourers made an important contribution to the economic development of Queensland. They played a significant role in the development of sugar industry and contributed to the development of farming, grazing and the maritime industry.
We hold archival information about Australian South Sea Islander people that includes records on:
- recruitment
- transportation and arrival in Queensland
- registers of agreement
- employment
- education
- legal issues
- health and medical issues
- deportation and repatriation
- those who remained in Queensland after 1906
- miscellaneous records and maps.
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Research guides
Research guides give information about the types of records you might find on different topics, and relevant series of records that may help get you started.
- Research guide: Australian South Sea Islander records—information created by the Inspector of Pacific Islanders and other agencies, as well as information on Legislation.
Search the indexes
If you know the name and location of the person you are looking for you can view our records on Australian South Sea Islander people by searching the indexes below.
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Australian South Sea Islanders and Asiatics
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Australian South Sea Islanders 1867-1948
Compiled from records on recruitment, transportation and arrival in Queensland; registers of agreement; employment; education; legal issues; health, medical and welfare; deportation and repatriation; those who remained in Queensland after 1906; and other miscellaneous records.
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Coloured labour and asiatic aliens in Queensland 1913
People who lived in various Queensland Police Districts including Townsville,Normanton,Roma,Rockhampton and Toowoomba in 1913
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Sugar Exemptions 1922-1923
Exemptions granted/refused to aliens who had not passed a dictation test to cultivate sugar cane
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Australian South Sea Islanders 1867-1948
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