Find your ancestors in Victoria Police Gazette 1871

If you had family living in Victoria 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.

The Victoria Police Gazette contains information such as court lists, lists of warrants issued, appointments and changes in the Police Service, lists of arrests and discharges (which include descriptions), escaped prisoners, and missing persons. Notices from Police Gazettes from other states are also often included.

Each issue is divided into specific categories, and entries appear under the appropriate heading, such as: Incendiarism, Highway Robbery and Stealing From the Person, Housebreaking and Stealing from Dwelling-Houses, Felonies and Offences not Otherwise Described, Miscellaneous Information, Stealing Otherwise Than from the Person or from Dwellings, Horses and Cattle, Property Found, Property Lost, Missing Friends, Deserters from Merchant Vessels, Courts, Extracts from New South Wales Police Gazette, Extracts from South Australian Police Gazette, Extracts from Tasmanian Crime Report, Prisoners Reported as Discharged from the Penal Departments During the Week

Example entries, all taken from the 28 February 1871 issue:
Prisoners Reported as Discharged from the Penal Departments During the Week Ending 27th February 1871
Gaol: Pentridge; Name: Cunliffe, John, 8241; Where Tried: Melbourne; When: 15th June 1868; Sentence: 2 and 2 years; Native of: Dublin; Trade: grocer; Born: 1828; Height: 5ft. 6 1/2in.; Complexion: sallow; Hair: dark-brown; Eyes: blue; Nose: medium and pointed; Mouth: large; Chin: medium; Remarks and Previous References: Large scar on forehead, lost several front teeth.

Gaol: Pentridge; Name: Dwyer, Richard, alias Smith, 8796; Where Tried: Melbourne; When: 1st Mar. 1870; Sentence: 1 year; Native of: Tipperary; Trade: laborer; Born: 1816; Height: 5ft. 9 1/2in.; Complexion: fresh; Hair: brown to grey; Eyes: blue; Nose: thick; Mouth: medium; Chin: medium; Remarks and Previous References: 'Waterloo' to Sydney; free. Blind of right eye, very round shouldered, scar over right eyebrow, teeth decayed. One prior conviction

Gaol: Beechworth; Name: Hanna, Elizth., alias Rose Drummond, 217; Where Tried: Beechworth; When: 18th Aug. 1870; Sentence: 6 months; Native of: England; Trade: servant; Born: 1833; Height: 5ft. 1in.; Complexion: fresh; Hair: brown; Eyes: grey; Nose: medium; Mouth: medium; Chin: medium; Remarks and Previous References: Many times in goal.