VPRS 4323 Convict Indents: New South Wales [Microfilm Copy]

These records were created to provide a criminal history of convicts transported to NSW. This served numerous functions, including identification of convicts, or use during the trial of a convict who re-offended after being transported to the colony.Early entries are rudimentary, listing only the convict's name and place of conviction, sentence, ship and date of arrival. By the 1830s, each entry has over fifteen fields relating to the convict's marriage status, trade, religion, appearance and criminal history. There is also provision for notes on an individual's circumstances after arrival - for example, a ticket of leave, pardon, certificate of freedom, departure from the colony or death.The publication "A Matter of Record: A History of Public Record Office Victoria", pp 10 - 14 (available in PROV reading rooms) details the context in which these records were originally transferred to the Public Library, marking the beginning of Victoria's archival collection.