VPRS 8369 Correspondence, Photographs and History Sheets of Certain Male Criminals

The pro forma criminal history sheets detail the following information:Register NumberNameNative PlaceYear of BirthArrived in ColonyArrived per ShipReligionEducation - Read or WriteHeight without shoesWeightColour of HairColour of EyesParticular MarksWhere and when triedConvictions - Offence/Sentence.The pro-forma sheets come in four colours to distinguish between:English Speaking Races:blue for those - "5ft.5in. and under"yellow for those - "5ft.5in. to 5ft.9in. inclusive"buff for those - "5ft.7in. to 5ft.9in inclusive"green for those - "above 5ft.9in."Most history sheets have been signed by the Governor of Pentridge on the 11 July 1898. However some individual history sheets show that annotations regarding a prisoner's discharge/death have been made as late as 1902.The contents in custody date range has been imputed from the earliest date of trial of the prisoners, 1862, and the last date of action noted on the sheets, 1902.