Some schemes designed to bring young females with housekeeping experience to Queensland, but that attracted desperately poor, unskilled girls actually made many of the perceived problems worse. Although they played a key part in establishing many of our family roots.
Chris displayed some excellent images of contemporary soures to illustrate the situations he described. He recommended several books including a number available in the Moreton Bay Library collections. Look for Domestic service in Australia by B. W. Higman and The colony : a history of early Sydney by Grace Karskens or browse the shelves at 640.46.
Among the records that you might search for references to your ancestors as servants were immigration records (look for a name and address to whom the person was "assigned") , school admission registers (which list parent's occupations), and newspaper advertisements (under Seeking Position).
After the meeting, Chris suggested that a vist to a museum that displays servant's quarters can provide a richer perspective. He suggested two Brisbane locations (although you should check details of opeing hours and current exhibitions).
- Newstead House, Newstead
http://newsteadhouse.com.au/
You can see online a floorplan showing servants quarters and a photo of this area - Miegunyah, Bowen Hills
http://miegunyah.org