If you had family living in South Australia in 1919, have you thought of
looking in Police Gazettes for information? These are a truly 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. Apart from
any changes within the police force which are all listed (promotions, demotions,
dismissals, deaths etc), information is also given on housebreak-ins, robberies,
arson, murders, lost and found items, deserters, escaped prisoners, missing
friends, warrants issued, and reports on those released, you will also find
notices from interstate police gazettes are often included.
A fascinating read for learning about the social history of the time, even if
you don't have family there - this CD contains all 53 issues that were produced
for the year.
Example entry taken from the 15 October 1919 issue:
Apprehensions During the Week
Marion Douglas, by F.C.'s Turned and Winch, as idle and disorderly (begging
alms), at Norwood; 14 days.
Example entry taken from the 10 December 1919 issue:
Special Inquiry
Discreet inquiry is requested, at the instance of Doctor James Simpson
Macpherson, C.M.G., a resident of Victoria, British Columbia, to trace his
daughter, Mary Violet Thornley Macpherson, 13 1/2 years of age, fairly tall,
of sallow complexion, with brown hair and blue eyes, of whom is a photograph
above, who, about 10.30 p.m. on October 15th, 1919, disappeared from a
carriage on the Melbourne-Sydney express, at Albury Railway Station, which
in charge of her father, proceeding from Melbourne to Sydney, en route to
Canada. On the 12th September last a Judge's order was obtained in Melbourne
against certain well-to-do relatives in that State, in whose care she had
been since 3 years of age, directing that the missing girl should be handed
over to the custody of her father; and from investigations made it has been
ascertained that, at their instigation, the train was intercepted at Albury,
where, during the doctor's temporary absence, the child was removed in a
motor car, and that she is now being kept quietly out of the way to defeat
the provisions of the order made. Note.-On October 20th last a girl
(supposed identical with the missing girl), accompanied by a lady, arrived
in a motor car at the Terminus Hotel, Morgan, South Australia, where they
stayed the night, and probably left by train for Adelaide on the following
day. Very cautious inquiries should be made, as the persons concerned in the
removal may become aware that she is being traced and cause her to be
removed again. In the event of the missing girl being located it is also
extremely desirable that the persons with whom she is staying not be made
aware of the inquiry. Any information communicate by wire with Detective
Office, Adelaide. - (C.3775)
A few unique features appear in this years issues:
- licences issued to dealers in wool (not exceeding £10 in value)
- marine stores collectors' licences
- list of medical officers appointed to attend destitute persons' in
country districts
High quality scanned images of the whole of the years worth of issues. This
CD has been bookmarked for easy navigation, and pages can be searched, browsed,
enlarged and printed out if required.
