Friday, October 23, 2020

Aboriginal Tribal names around Roebourne 1866

From the journal of Trevarton Sholl I have collated the following Aboriginal names. The Colonial Government had decided to donate 100 condemned blankets from the Convict Establishment to the local people encountered around Port Walcott/Nicol Bay. The Government party had left the failed Camden Harbour Settlement in late 1865 and re-established itself at Port Walcott/Nicol Bay/Tien Tsin Harbour where there were some established squatters. Trevarton was the son of the Government Resident of the North District, Robert John Sholl, and, like his father, kept a journal. As Trevarton gave out the blankets he recorded the 'white man's name' and the indigenous name. 

Below are some of the names that T C Sholl records in his journal. He says they called the blankets ‘bamba warra’ – sleeping clothes.

Saturday 13th January 1866

Timothy alias Chiligunmunga

Paddy alias Mooroogar

Ned alias Woolthoolgarry

Mickey alias Yoomboo

Georgy alias Coweramarra

Jimmey alias Yeberine

Mrs Biddy alias Winderabiddy (wife of Mulligon, the head of the tribe. She is listed as wife No1)

Moday 15th January 1866

Yalberry alias Wongalguro

Jerry alias Pithanga-Koora

Jackey alias  Boojoulgarry

Townbull alias Townberry

Tuesday 16th January 1866

Betty alias Marwin (Mulligon’s No2 wife)

Christened 3 today- Barney, Toby, Ben.

Friday 19th January

Blowhard alias Pagingarry (described as the chief of all the Natives ‘chingi’ -South and ‘erajou’ – East)

Jingo alias Wallowarra

Sunday 21st January

‘Saw a native boy to-day who appeared to have the ‘small pox’ breaking out upon him. Timothy [An Aborigine in Sholl’s employ] tells me that a great number of natives are dying of it to the east’

22nd January 1866

Jimmy alias Wiperine

Dirteye alias Mingamarra

30th January 1866

Billy alias Youyango

Maypole alias Kanyerbiddy

Charley alias Yourarine

Tuesday 13th February 1866

Castor Oil alias Youranbiddy

Jackey alias Chilimurry

Macavee alias Chilwill

Moka alias Pirangoorar