Ideal not only the family historian, but also those researching local history
and social history, the Police Gazettes contain a host of useful information
that is not only an interesting read, but also unique in its content.
With details on any changes within the Police Force itself (promotions,
demotions, commendations, resignations etc), there is also information on
housebreak-ins, robberies, arson, murders, lost horses and cattle, deserters
from families as well as deserters from service, missing persons, warrants
issued, arrests, escaped prisoners, inquest verdicts, and reports on those
released. Notices from interstate police gazettes are sometimes included. You
will also find some 'photograph supplements' which have been issued from time to
times, which include the photographs, together with the names, aliases, criminal
history and time served.
Example entries taken from the 9 November 1938 issue:
Housebreaking, etc.
Bridgewater - Between the 22nd October and the 1st November, 1938, from the
dwelling-house of Ethel R Matters, five white double bed blankets; a white
single bed blanket; a small ciderdown quilt of various colours; a pink double
bed quilt; two white single bed quilts; four large tablespoons; six dessert
spoons; 10 teaspoons; four dessert forks; seven large forks; nine small table
knives; nine large knives; all the knives are stainless and have white handles;
a white handle carving knife and steel; six toilet mats of various colours; four
white face towels; and a bedroom floor mat, size about 6ft. x 2 1/2ft., various
shades and hand-made - total value between £6 and £8; portion identifiable.
Entrance effected by forcing a window.-(C.11134)
Stealing in Dwellings, from the Person, etc.
Strathalbyn - Between the 29th and the 31st October 1938, from a woolshed, a
bale of fleece wool, weight about 400lbs., fleeces branded
K with red pain on off
ribs, wool sack has red stripe around it, value £15, the property of James
Thomas Kerslake; identifiable.-(C.11095).
Available on searchable CD-ROM for the first time, this makes finding
information not only easy and convenient, but also affordable.
High quality scanned images of the whole years worth of issues. This CD has
been bookmarked for easy navigation, and pages can be searched, browsed,
enlarged and printed out if required.
