An amazing source of genealogical and historical information, the Police
Gazettes have been a relatively untouched resource, partly because of
accessibility and partly because they weren't generally known as a key source.
Now that they are being released on searchable CD-ROM, they are available for
all to use.
Anyone researching their family will have a 'lost' family member or two! You
may well find them listed here, on either side of the law. Maybe they
were a policeman who transferred to another department or division, or someone
who was a victim of crime. You can find the physical details on persons
listed here, missing, wanted or released, which helps to paint a picture of them
(name, aliases used, age, height, colour hair, colour eyes, distinguishing
features, even colour clothing worn).
This CD contains the complete issues released during 1871 and 1872, and
contains information on housebreak-ins, robberies, arson, murders, lost horses
and cattle, inquest verdicts, escaped prisoners and reports on those released.
Also included are court lists, lists of warrants issued, appointments and
changes in the Police Service, lists of arrests, escaped prisoners, and missing
persons, men deserting their wives and children as well as deserters from
service, missing friends and more ... Notices from Police Gazettes from other states are also often
included.
Example entry taken from 25 January 1871 issue:
Deserters from Merchant Vessels
Warrants have been issued for the apprehension of the undermentioned seamen,
deserters:-
From the Barque "Ayr", at Port Adelaide
John Herrin, age 35 years, 5ft. 8in. high, dark complexion, squint eyed
John Jaffrey, age 26 years, 5ft. 4in. high, dark complexion, pockmarked
John Boterman, age 21 years, 5th. 7in. high, dark complexion
Thomas Welbourne, age 22 years, 5ft. 8in. high, dark complexion.
Hans E. Kord, age 24 years, 5ft. 6in. high, dark complexion
William Canenius, age 23 years, 5ft. 9in. high, dark complexion
G.F. Dyer, age 40, 5ft. 8in. high, dark complexion
Exward Upjohn, age 28 years, 5ft. 9in. high, fair complexion
A valuable resource for anyone one researching those in South Australia
during 1871 and 1872. It is also a useful tool for social historians.
This CD contains high quality scanned images of the whole of each year's issues.
It has been bookmarked for easy navigation. and pages can be searched, browsed,
enlarged and printed out if required.
