Sally Hoult and Keith Mitchell

November 2013

Union of South Africa

Sessional Papers, 1910-1925

Sessional Papers: What are they?

• Records of self Governing Colonies and Dominions

• Votes, proceedings and minutes of the House of Government

• Contain reports of Government Departments

Sessional Papers: Why are they useful?

• Reports on subjects dealing with the colony or dominion

• Includes financial matters, railways, mining, trade, medical, geology, pensions, and land matters

• Statistical information from accounts to geological to census

Sessional Papers: Why choose CO 633

• Not catalogued• No Index

• Contains minutes and reports of the House of Assembly and Senate

• Small series (190 pieces from 1910-1925)

• Present description example: “Sessional and Select Committee Reports”

Sessional Papers: How we Catalogued

• Copy from cover pages of individual file

• Identify the number of pages,

• References to the maps and photos

Sessional Papers: Findings • Maps: from Railways to Mining• Photographs include images of cattle, diseases, railway themes and

images produced as evidence• Reports on military actions in Africa during World War 1• Insight in to medical conditions, treatment of Indigenous People• Financial reports, including lists of pensions with former positions

Sessional Papers: Examples

Sessional Papers: Examples

Sessional Papers: Examples

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Sessional Papers: Examples

Sessional Papers: Summary

• Insight in to the formation and running of South Africa• Array of maps and photographs of South Africa

• Could lead to:• Acts: • Blue Books• Possibility of collaboration or digitisation with Academic or Research

based organisation

Sessional Papers: Questions?

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