RECORD TYPES



1. Indent

.... a one line recording of basic information

For the early period this provides the basic information - trial details, native place, age.

In later years, it can be either a waste of time to look up as just the very basic information is recorded and that's duplicated elsewhere (although the hand writing is different so it's often worth checking it if a detail is hard to read elsewhere). It can also be a goldmine - sometimes family (parents, spouse, siblings) details are listed or prior offences. And other interesting stuff.


2. Description

.... exactly what it says. A description of the prisoner e.g. age, height, build, hair colour, eye colour, marks etc.

Age and native place are recorded here. It helps to check the description if they're unreadable on other records.

This information is included on the conduct record for the probation period.

There's an example here, from 1841


3. Conduct record

.... a half or third page record that gives information about the prisoner before departure (trial place & date, religion, native place, statement of crime etc.) and after arrival (punishments, when indulgences were granted)

In the 1820s this is fairly basic. Name and some other details in the top left corner and information related to the prisoner's conduct. Usually compiled after the fact and not always in chronological order.

For the next period (late 1820s to early 1840s) the conduct record is more detailed. I don't have a sample scanned in though. The top of the record is the same as for the later records (see below). The bulk of it is an area for recording conduct e.g. offences and punishments. These are usually in the form:

Date offence punishment initials

Dates of any indulgences granted are listed here e.g. Ticket of Leave (TL), Conditional Pardon (CP), Absolute or Free Pardon (AP or Free).

Other things that might be included are deaths or illegitimate children (if these occurred while under sentence). I have seen a marriage recorded once .

During the probation period, it's getting quite a complicated record. There's an example provided .

As a brief guide, the top left box has name, trial details, ship/voyage information and some personal information such as religion or whether they can read & write.

The top right box has a statement of offence by the prisoner (which can differ from the official crime) and their marital status. Below this is the hulk and/or gaol and/or surgeons reports. Usually one or two words (e.g. good, very bad, moderate) but can be longer. It's worth trying to work out what is written in this box, as there are occasional odd comments.

Below these two boxes is the occupation, description & native place. Unfortunately, the small size of the boxes often makes these hard to read.

Marks refers to any identifying marks e.g. scars

The next bit relates to the probation system - where & for how long. Read my summary on it if needed.

Now, the Offences & Sentences section is the same as that found on the earlier records. For men, it will often start with something like "Emerged from Gang" with a date. This being a reference to the probation gang.

The bulk of this area records offences and punishments. These are usually in the form:

Date offence punishment initials

Below this will be indulgences granted & the dates e.g. Ticket of Leave (TL), Conditional Pardon (CP), Absolute or Free Pardon (AP or Free).

The 'Remarks' box is, as noted on the sample, usually unreadable - the writing is small and close together. It records anything else relevant, which can include interesting things like illegitimate kids.

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