Skip to main content

Diaries of Joseph Jenkins

Identifier(s): MS 13267

 Collection

Scope and Content

Describes Jenkins' experiences as an itinerant agricultural labourer in Victoria, mainly in the Ballarat, Castlemaine and Maldon areas. Includes comments on farming practices and public affairs, his opinion of them and their effect on rural communities. Contains many of his poems, some of which are in Welsh.

Dates

  • 1869-1894

Restrictions

Available for reference.

Biographical Information

Joseph Jenkins was born at Blaenplwyf, Cardiganshire, West Wales, and lived on his parents' farm until he married at the age of 28. He then had his own farm, named Trecefel, at Tregaron. He wrote poetry, specialising in the englynion, a Welsh verse form, and kept diaries from the age of 21 until he died. He left his wife and family and emigrated to Victoria in 1869, returning to his home in Wales in 1894.

Extent

66 cm. (25 volumes)

Language

English

Additional description

Provenance

More information may be available about the provenance of this collection. Contact the Library for more information.

Related materials note

Described in: Jock Murphy. Diaries of a Welsh swagman. State Library of Victoria news, v. 1, no. 2, Oct.-Dec. 1997, pp. 4-5.

Published as: Diary of a Welsh swagman, 1869-1894, abridged and annotated by William Evans. South Melbourne, Vic.: Macmillan, 1975.

Subjects

  • Agricultural laborers -- Diaries. -- Victoria
  • Ballarat Region (Vic.) -- Economic conditions.
  • Ballarat Region (Vic.) -- Social life and customs.
  • Castlemaine Region (Vic.) -- Economic conditions.
  • Castlemaine Region (Vic.) -- Social life and customs.
  • Maldon Region (Vic.) -- Economic conditions.
  • Maldon Region (Vic.) -- Social life and customs.
  • Poets -- Diaries. -- Victoria
  • Swagmen -- Diaries. -- Victoria
  • Welsh -- Victoria.

Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Diaries of Joseph Jenkins
Status
Completed
Dates
2009
Description rules
Aacr2, Lcsh
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository details

Repository details

Part of the Australian Manuscripts Collection, State Library Victoria Repository

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au
Contact:
328 Swanston Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia
03 8664 7009