Historical information

This ledger contains copies of titles in the Warrnambool district, dating from 1916 to 1933. It came from the office of John William Crawley Junior, an engineer, surveyor and architect in private practice in Warrnambool and also the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1895 to 1935. His father, brother and son were all engineers, working in that capacity or as the Shire Secretary for the Shire of Warrnambool, with the Crawley family recording a total of 132 years of service to the Shire. The Shire of Warrnambool existed from 1863 to 1994. This ledger was passed on John Crawley’s son, Rolf, who was the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1935 to 1968. It then came into the possession of Michael Hand, who took over the private surveying business of Rolf Crawley in Warrnambool. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society acquired the ledger, along with several other Crawley ledgers, from the estate of Michael Hand.

Significance

This ledger is of considerable importance as it contains copies of titles from the Warrnambool district in the early decades of the 20th century. It will be of great use for researchers.

Physical description

This is a hard cover book of 205 pages. The cover has red leather binding and is torn and scuffed. The book contains copies of titles and other handwritten and typed material and there are many loose titles, envelopes and miscellaneous sheets of paper. Inside the back cover is a booklet with an alphabetical index. This is pasted in.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Thompson Print Co. General Bookbinders Warrnambool’
‘Copies of Titles John William Crawley Authorised & Licensed Surveyor December 1916’