Find your ancestors in Tasmania Reports of Crime 1871

If you had family living in Tasmania in the 1870s, have you thought of looking at the Police Gazettes for information? These are a unique, useful and extremely fascinating resource for local, family and social historians. Compiled to be distributed amongst the Police Force only, these Gazettes contain details and information that can not be found anywhere else.

This is a compilation of all 52 issues that were produced of 1871 of the Tasmanian Reports of Crime (the early name for the Tasmanian Police Gazettes). Each issue is usually four pages in length, and contains information such as:

apprehensions
convict returns
disciplining of police
escapees and absconders from custody
housebreakers and burglars
licensed carriers, hawkers, oyster fishers, and tanners
deserting wives, families, etc
deserting from military service
deserting from merchant vessels
inquests
missing friends
murderers and their victims
police resignations
prisoners discharged from gaols
prisoners released on tickets of leave
property and stock recovered
rewards—names of persons offering a reward
victims of arson
victims of horse and cattle stealing or straying
victims of lost or stolen property
victims of sheep stealing or straying
Example entries, all taken from the 17 March 1871 issue:

Arson - £50 Reward
Bothwell Municipality.-The above Reward is offered by Henric Nicholas, Esquire, of Dennistoun, for such information as will lead to the conviction of the person or persons who wilfully set fire to fences on the Dennistoun Estate on the night of the 11th instant, and wrote a threatening notice addressed to him.

Stolen
Kingsborough.-Stolen during the last seven weeks, from the premises of Bridget Fisher, near Longley:- 1 blue blanket, red selvage; 1 unbleached calico sheer, broad hem. Margaret Pool is suspect of the offence.
Description.-33 years old, about 5 feet high, red hair; wife of William Pool, of Longley.