Summary

Handwritten letter from Henry Giles in Creswick's Creek Victoria to his family in Cornwall, England, 25 February, 1855. Henry went to Creswick Creek about 20 kilometres north of Ballarat where gold where European miners had found gold in 1852.

This letter, the last written by Henry, was written from the Creswick's Creek goldfields and Henry describes his gold mining activities, the failures and successes, and how he works in small teams with other Cornish miners.

This is one of a collection of six original handwritten letters relating to the migrant voyage and goldfields experiences of Henry Giles and his frind John Stevens, 1854-55.

Physical Description

Letter, written in ink on both sides of the notepaper.

Significance

Statement of Historical Significance:
These letters provide a detailed and revealing record of a young Cornish migrant's experiences of mid-nineteenth century shipboard travel and the Victorian goldfields in the years immediately after the gold rush began in 1851. They demonstrate the very real challenges of distance from home, and the stretches of time waiting between letters from distant families. They offer insights into the difference for many miners between the dreams and expectations of quick wealth on the goldfields and the realities of meagre finds and harsh and dangerous working and living conditions.

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