Search Tasmania police gazettes

Police gazettes, which in the earliest years were called Reports of Crime, provided information and instructions to members of the police force, but also included information about many members of the community – be it because they were interrogated or convicted of a crime, or because they had reported or were victims of a crime.

The gazette will usually have names and personal details, such as occupation and address. Many times there are also detailed descriptions with photographs that cannot be found elsewhere.

The following information and topics are included in the gazettes:

• 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 and 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

Police gazettes are wonderful genealogy tools for anyone with ancestry in Tasmania. If you're exploring your family history or building a family tree, these police gazettes are a must.