Guide to the Records of the Meteorological Office (as filmed by the AJCP)
BJ
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2018
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Meteorological Office. Great Britain.
- Title
- Records of the Meteorological Office (as filmed by the AJCP)
- Date Range
- 1833 - 1875
- Collection Number
- BJ
- Extent
- 32 items
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Australian Joint Copying Project
- Sponsor
- The Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP) online portal was created by the National Library of Australia with the assistance of the Australian Public Service Modernisation Fund, 2017-2020. The National Library of Australia gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the other foundation AJCP partners, the State Library of New South Wales and The National Archives of the UK, and all other organisations which supported the work of the AJCP, the world's most extensive collaborative copying project, operating from 1948 to 1997.
Introduction
Scope and Contents
Records of the Meteorological Office relating to the provision of meteorological services. Records created. Records selectively copied by the AJCP include the following record groups: Kew Observatory, Papers of Admiral Sir James Clark Ross and General Sire Edward Sabine.
Conditions Governing Access
Available for Access.
Conditions Governing Use
Many of the records digitised as part of the AJCP are still in copyright. Readers wishing to publish or reproduce documents should seek permission, in the first instance, from the National Archives of the UK. Further advice is available from: The National Archives of the UK. Copyright (http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/legal/copyright/)
Preferred Citation
Acknowledgement of use of this material should refer to the National Archives of the UK (TNA) and to the Australian Joint Copying Project.
Citation of items from this Series should include references to the National Archives of the UK (TNA) and to the AJCP nla.obj number, which serves as the online identifier for the digital copy.
Example: TNA Series: CO 201/429, New South Wales. Original Correspondence. Despatches May-June 1850 (AJCP ref: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1234)
Further information on citation guidelines is available at The National Archives of the UK (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/citing-documents-national-archives/).
Archival History
Material selectively filmed as part of the Australian Joint Copying Project. AJCP Reels: 6794-6796.
Original microfilm digitised as part of the AJCP Online Delivery Project, 2017-2020.
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK. Series Reference: BJ.
For further information see Records of the Meteorological Office. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C30)
Finding Aid Note
Dates used in the finding aid refer to those of the records selected for filming, by the AJCP, rather than to those of the original Series or File.
This online finding aid, published by the National Library of Australia in 2018, is a revised online version of part of:
Australian Joint Copying Handbook. Part 6. Public Record Office: Air Ministry, Board of Trade, Exchequer and Audit Department, Treasury and other Record Groups, Second Edition, ppxii-xiii, pp31-32, National Library of Australia, 1995.
Subjects
Great Britain: Meteorological Office; Kew Observatory; Sir James Clark Ross; Sir Edward Sabine
Bibliography
Originally published as:
Australian Joint Copying Project. Handbook. Part 6. Public Record Office: Air Ministry, Board of Trade, Exchequer and Audit Department, Treasury and other Record Groups, Second Edition, National Library of Australia, 1995, ppxii-xiii, 31-32.
Administrative History
The Meteorological Department of the Board of Trade was set up in 1855 and became the Meteorological Office in 1863. In 1867 it was transferred to a Meteorological Committee and received a grant-in-aid from the Treasury. In 1877 the Committee was replaced by a Meteorological Council, comprising five members nominated by the Royal Society and the Hydrographer of the Navy.
Item Descriptions
Fonds BJ 1. Kew Observatory. Correspondence and papers, 1864 - 1869
2 itemsSeries BJ 1. Liaison with other observatories, 1864 - 1869
2 itemsItems selected for filming by the AJCP include: correspondence of Balfour Stewart relating to purchase of instruments for Sydney Observatory and Melbourne Observatory. Includes trigonometrical survey of New South Wales, magnetic disturbances in Victoria and selection of instruments for Adelaide Observatory.
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA). Series reference: BJ 1. For further information, see BJ 1 at The National Archives of the UK. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C2864)
Existence and Location of Copies
The original AJCP microfilm of the records filmed from this collection is available at the National Library of Australia [https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2080618] as well as other institutions holding AJCP microfilm.
Subjects
Melbourne Observatory; Sydney Observatory
Administration
The Observatory was established by King George III in 1768 to contribute to the observations of the Transit of Venus. In 1842 the Observatory was acquired by the British Association. Under Balfour Stewart, Superintendent in 1859-1871, it maintained a close relationship with the Meteorological Office and, Stewart being Secretary of the Meteorological Committee. In 1871 the Royal Society acquired the Observatory. In 1900 it was transferred to the National Physical Laboratory and in 1910 it reverted to the control of the Meteorological Office.
Sydney Observatory, 1864 - 1869 (File 4. AJCP Reel No: 6794)
(36pp.)
Correspondence of Balfour Stewart, Superintendent of Kew Observatory, relating to the purchase of instruments (including a magnetometer and a photographic barometer) for Sydney Observatory, research on the calculation of humidity, and a trigonometrical survey of New South Wales. Correspondents include G. Smalley (Sydney) and H.C. Russell (Sydney).
Melbourne Observatory, 1864 - 1869 (File 6. AJCP Reel No: 6794)
(112pp.)
Correspondence of Balfour Stewart relating to the purchase of instruments (including magnetograph, barograph and anemometer) for Melbourne Observatory, information about instruments, work of Melbourne Observatory, erection of Great Melbourne Telescope, paper by R.L.J. Ellery on pendulum electrometer, selection of meteorological instruments for Adelaide Observatory, magnetic instruments for Adelaide Observatory, megnetic disturbances in Victoria, and table of magnetograph curves. Correspondents include R.L.J. Ellery (Melbourne), G. Verdon, C. Pasley and the Crown Agents for the Colonies.
Fonds BJ. Private papers of personnel associated with the Meteorological Office and Kew Observatory, 1833 - 1875
20 itemsPrivate papers of personnel associated with the Meteorological Office and Kew Observatory and relating to their research in the meteorological field.
Series BJ 2. Sir James Clark Ross: Correspondence and papers, 1834 - 1860
10 itemsPapers of Admiral Sir James Clark Ross, mainly relating to his magnetic survey of the Antarctic region in 1839-1843. Items selected for filming by the AJCP include: letters of Sir John Richardson, Capt. E. Belcher, Sir Francis Beaufort, J. H. Kay from Tasmania on Tasmanian matters, J. Murray, R. M. McClure, letters from Ross to his wife, letters written during the Antarctic Expedition, 1839-1843.
The AJCP filmed selected extracts only from pieces 10 and 12.
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
Series r Reference: BJ 2. For further information, see BJ 2 at The National Archives of the UK. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C2865)
Existence and Location of Copies
The original AJCP microfilm of the records filmed from this collection is available at the National Library of Australia [https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2080627] as well as other institutions holding AJCP microfilm.
Subjects
Antarctica; Belcher, Captain Edward; Beaufort, Sir Francis; McClure, R M; Murry, John; Richardson, Sir John; Ross, Sir James Clark; Van Diemen's Land
Biographical / Historical
Rear-Admiral Sir James Clark Ross (1800-1862). Entered Navy 1812. Served in several Arctic expeditions 1819-1836. Commanded H.M.S. Erebus and Terror in 1839-1843 Antarctic Expedition. Commanded H.M.S. Enterprise in expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, 1848-1849.
Letters of Sir John Richardson, 1834 - 1847 (File 1. AJCP Reel No: 6795)
(13ff.)
Subjects include existence of North-West Passage; qualifications of J.D. Hooker as naturalist on Antarctic Expedition, and the expeditions in search of Sir John Franklin.
Letters of Captain Edward Belcher, 1836 - 1846 (File 2. AJCP Reel No: 6795)
(8ff.)
Subjects include Ross' voyage to Baffin Bay, Belcher's disappointment that he couldnot take part in the Antarctic Expedition, and the Pacific voyage of H.M.S. Sulphur.
Letters of Sir Francis Beaufort, 1836 - 1853 (File 3. AJCP Reel No: 6795)
(31ff.)
Subjects include naming of discoveries, preparations for the Antarctic Expedition, Beaufort's promotion to the rank of Admiral, staffing of the Hobart Observatory, Arctic voyages and the search for Sir John Franklin.
Papers concerning expeditions of d'Urville and Wilkes, 1838 - 1847 (File 4. AJCP Reel No: 6795)
(59ff.)
Correspondence, cuttings and notes concerning the Antarctic voyages and discoveries of Ross, J. Dumont d'Urville and Lieut C. Wilkes. Includes a leter from Wilkes (Bay of Islands) to Ross about the Antarctic Expedition (1840) and a printed letter by Wilkes in response to statements made by Ross (1847).
Letters of Ross to his wife and other notes, 1839 - 1843 (File 5. AJCP Reel No: 6795)
(57ff.)
Drafts of letters written during the Antarctic voyage and the draft of part of an account of the voyage.
Various letters, notes and maps made during the Antarctic Expedition, 1839 - 1843 (File 6. AJCP Reel No: 6795)
(67ff.)
Includes drafts of letters of Ross, copies of his letters to E. Sabine, parts of a diary and letters of Emily Beaufort, G. Fisher, Sir John Herschel and R. Fox.
Letters from J.H. Kay, Van Diemen's Land, 1841 - 1845 (File 7. AJCP Reel No: 6795)
(47ff.)
Written from Ross Bank, Van Diemen's Land, the letters from Lieut. J.H. Kay to Ross refer to the work of the Hobart Observatory, Tasmanian affairs, Sir John Franklin, Sir John Eardley Wilmot, the intrigues of J. Montagu against Franklin, factions in Tasmanian society, and the effects of transportation.
Letters from John Murray, 1846 - 1847 (File 8. AJCP Reel No: 6795)
(20ff.)
Letters to Ross from the publisher J. Murray concerning the publication and sales of Ross' account of the Antarctic Expedition.
Letters to Ross mainly from R.M. McClure, 1850 - 1860 (File 10. AJCP Reel No: 6795)
Folios filmed selectively by the AJCP:
J.H. Kay to Ross, [Feb. 1854]: appointment as Private Secretary to Sir Charles Hotham; little encouragement for naval officers in scientific line of service (ff.21-22); Notes on exploration of Australian rivers, 12 April 1859 (f.32).
Series BJ 3. Sir Edward Sabine: Correspondence and papers, 1833 - 1875
10 itemsPapers of General Sir Edward Sabine relating to his interest in terrestrial magnetism and in the establishment of British and overseas observatories.
Items selected for filming by the AJCP include: letters about Hobart Observatory, Antarctic and Arctic Expeditions, colonial observatories, copies of correspondence to and from Magnetic Department and letters of Sir James Clark Ross, Sir John Franklin, Sir John Herschel, J. H. Kay and others.
The AJCP filmed only select extracts from all pieces with the exception of pieces 18,44 and 45.
Existence and Location of Originals
The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
Series reference: BJ 3. For further information, see BJ 3 at The National Archives of the UK. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C2866)
Existence and Location of Copies
The original AJCP microfilm of the records filmed from this collection is available at the National Library of Australia [https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2080648] as well as other institutions holding AJCP microfilm.
Subjects
Sabine, Edward Sir (1788-1883); Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory Hobart, Tasmania; Astronomy; Tasmania; Antarctica
Biographical / Historical
General Sir Edward Sabine (1788-1883). Entered Army 1803, served in Canada 1813-1816, astronomer on Arctic expeditions 1818-1820. Carried out first systematic magnetic survey of British Isles 1834-1837. Superintended work of magnetic observatories 1840-1860. Colonel 1851, General 1870. President of Royal Society 1861-1871.
Letters of Sir James Clark Ross, 1833 - 1846 (File 16. AJCP Reel No: 6796)
Documents filmed selectively by the AJCP (ff.78-143):
J. Ross to E. Sabine, Feb. 1839-Aug. 1845: organization of Antarctic Expedition; establishment of fixed observatories; departure of Expedition in Sept. 1839; establishment of observatory at Hobart; instruments; J. Kay; Sir John Franklin; tables of observations; copies of letters from St. Helena and Hobart to Capt. F. Beaufort.
Miscellaneous letters to Sabine, 1834 - 1851 (File 17. AJCP Reel No: 6796)
Folios filmed selectively by the AJCP:
ff.12-13: W.J. Hooker (Glasgow) to Sabine, 10 Jan. 1839: seeks support for appointment of J. Hooker as assistant surgeon and naturalist on Antarctic Expedition.
ff.36-37: Capt. O. Stanley (Sydney) to Sabine, 11 April 1849: thanks for aquinuth compass; magnetic observations; hopes to add to geographical knowledge of southern coast of New Guinea.
Letters of Sir John Franklin, 1835 - 1845 (File 18. AJCP Reel No: 6796)
The letters refer to instruments to be taken to Van Diemen's Land; observations in Van Diemen's Land; establishment of scientific society in Hobart; J. Gould; visit of J. Ross and F. Crozier in 1840; establishment of Hobart Observatory; J. Kay; discoveries of Lieut. C. Wilkes; relations with J. Montagu; appointment of additional staff to Observatory; decision of Lord Stanley in Montagu Case; pamphlet about Franklin's recall; Arctic Expedition.
Letters of Sir John Herschel, 1838 - 1852 (File 26. AJCP Reel No: 6796)
Documents filmed selectively by the AJCP:
ff.3-81: Sir John Herschel to Sabine, Aug. 1838-Sept. 1839: organization of Antarctic Expedition; deputation to Government; establishment of fixed observatories; supply of instruments for Hobart Observatory.
ff.179-180: Sir John Herschel to Sabine, 11 Oct. 1841: discovery by Capt. J.C. Ross of Antarctic Continent.
ff.238-239: Sir John Herschel to Sabine, 27 May 1844: magnetic surveys in colonies; refers to Hobart Observatory.
ff.385-386: Sir John Herschel to Sabine, 23 Dec. 1845: J.H. Kay.
ff.416-418: Memoranda respecting observations made at colonial magnetic and meteorological observatories, n.d.
Letters concerning colonial observatories, 1839 - 1849 (File 27. AJCP Reel No: 6796)
Documents filmed selectively by the AJCP:
f.99: Sir John Barrow (Admiralty) to Ordnance Office, 11 Feb. 1842: instructions of Capt. F. Blackwood and officers of Torres Strait expedition in methods of magnetic observations; supply of instruments.
f.100: R. Byham to Sabine, 16 Feb. 1842: instruction of officers of Torres Strait expedition.
f.152: Sir John Barrow to Sabine, 28 Oct. 1843: arrangements for relief of Lieut. J. Kay and other naval officers at Hobart Observatory by party of Artillery.
f.155: R. Byham to Sir John Barrow, 10 Nov. 1843: Master-General of Ordnance declines to send party of Artillery to Van Diemen's Land.
f.156: Capt. F. Beaufort to Sabine, 30 Dec.: payment for expenses incurred by Hobart Observatory.
f.157: Capt. F. Beaufort to Sabine, 30 Dec.: arrival of boxes from Hobart Observatory.
f.183: A. Miles to Sabine, 7 Aug. 1844: forwards observations from Van Diemen's Land.
ff.233-234: Capt F. Beaumont to Sabine, 17 June: stationery for Van Diemen's Land.
f.239: A. Miles to Sabine, 25 Aug. 1844: forwards observations from Van Diemen's Land.
ff.254-258: Sabine to Lord Minto, 22 March 1845: publication of observations of Antarctic Expedition.
ff.303-304: Capt. F. Beaufort to Sabine, 28 Jan. 1847: forwards observations from Van Diemen's Land; criticisms of J. Dunlop by Sir George Gipps.
f.305: A. Miles to Sabine, 5 Feb. 1847: stationery for Hobart Observatory.
f.316: W. Hamilton (Admiralty) to Sabine, 11 May 1847: questions whether meteorological observations in N.S.W. should be continued.
f.370: Admiral F. Beaufort to Sabine, 10 Jan. 1848: relief of officer at Hobart Observatory.
f.379: Sir Francis Beaufort to Sabine, 17 Oct. 1848: continuance of observations at Van Diemen's Land.
ff.396-397: Sir Francis Beaufort to Sabine, 20 March 1849: continuance of observations at Van Diemen's Land.
Copies of correspondence to and from Magnetic Department, 1841 - 1859 (File 30. AJCP Reel No: 6796)
Folios filmed selectively by the AJCP:
ff.7r-7v: C. Riddell to T. Grubb, 7 Sept. 1841: order for declination magnetometer for Hobart Observatory.
f.17r: Sir John Herschel to Sabine, 2 May 1842: antinometer observations made at Van Diemen's Land, Cape of Good Hope and Singapore.
ff.36v-37r: Sabine to Capt F. Beaufort, 14 June 1844: stationery and antinometer springs for Hobart Observatory.
ff.115r-115v: Sabine to Prof. Dove (Berlin), 13 July 1850: publication of Hobart observations.
f.116r: Sabine to Sir John Hill, 15 July 1850: supply of published observations to Hobart Observatory.
ff.127r-127v: Sabine to Prof. Dove, 4 Oct. 1851: requests comments on meteorological observations in Hobart volume.
ff.133v-134r: Sabine to Sir William Denison, 6 June 1853: continuance of Hobart Observatory; discussions about southern reflector.
ff.136r-136v: Sabine to M. Kuppfer (St. Petersburg), 17 June 1853: sends Vol. 3 of Hobart observations.
f.137r: Sabine to Sir William Denison, 15 Aug. 1853: construction of telescope for observation of southern nebulae.
ff.152v-153r: Sabine to W. Champ (Hobart), 29 June 1855: requests return of unifilar magnetometer and dipping needle used at Hobart Observatory.
ff.160r-160v: Sabine to J. Kay (Melbourne), 23 March 1857: claims of S. Jeffery; Hobart magnetometer not yet returned.
ff.165v-167v: Sabine to W.P. Wilson (Melbourne), 19 Aug. 1858: proposed Melbourne Observatory; suitability of Melbourne for investigating subjects concerned with terrestrial magnetism; opposes combination of astronomical and magnetical observatory.
ff.167v-168r: Sabine to R. Neumayer (Melbourne), 22 Oct. 1858: supply of instruments to Melbourne Observatory.
Miscellaneous letterbook, 1840 - 1849 (File 31. AJCP Reel No: 6796)
Folios filmed selectively by the AJCP:
ff.24-25: Projection of term day curves, Hobart, 21-22 April 1842.
f.35: J. Kay. Instruments needed by Hobart Observatory, Aug. ?.
f. 234: Sabine to A. Miles, 7 Feb. 1847: stationery required at Hobart Observatory.
f.319: A. Miles to Sabine, 18 March 1848: receipt of variations of H.M.S. Rattlesnake; barometers sent to Capt. O. Stanley.
Letters of J.H. Kay, 1841 - 1856 (File 44. AJCP Reel No: 6796)
(119ff.)
Apart from one letter from Melbourne, all the letters were written from Van Diemen's Land in 1841-1852. They refer to the work of the Hobart Observatory; staff; supply of instruments; Sir John Franklin; Tasmanian society; convicts; isolation; Sir John Ross; future of Observatory; Victorian gold rushes; efforts to obtain promotion; closure of Hobart Observatory in 1853; treatment of S. Jeffery. There are also two letters of S. Jeffery, 1853.
Copies of out-letters from Magnetic Department to Hobart Observatory, 1842 - 1847 (File 45. AJCP Reel No: 6796)
(31ff.)
Copies of letters to J.H. Kay from Sabine, H. Lloyd (Dublin), C. Riddell and C. Younghusband. They include instructions for observations at Van Diemen's Land; comments on observations; supply of instruments and stationery; adjustments to instruments; Kay's claims for promotion.
Letters to Magnetic Department from government departments and observatories, 1846 - 1875 (File 48. AJCP Reel No: 6796)
Folios filmed selectively by the AJCP:
f.7: G. Airy to Sabine, 23 March 1855: appointment of C. Todd to supervise meteorology, astronomy and sciences at Adelaide; supply of published observations.
f.7: G. Airy to Sabine, 26 March 1855: supply of publications to Victorian Government.
f.7: G. Airy to Sabine, 12 April 1855: thanks for publications for Adelaide and Melbourne.
f.26: W. Champ (Hobart) to Sabine, 8 May 1855: shipment of two collinator magnets from Hobart Observatory; encloses letters from S. Jeffery. (3ff.)
f.57: W. Champ to Sabine, 7 March 1856: return of unifilar magnometers from Hobart Observatory.
f.58 J. Knox (Hobart) to Sabine, 22 March 1856: return of unifilar magnometers.