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Judy Webster's Genealogy Tips and Indexes for local, interstate & overseas folk with historical records in Queensland and other Australian States. © Copyright, Judy Webster.    Search this site Why I use and recommend Findmypast

Many prisoners from other regions were sent to Townsville; and many had been born interstate or overseas. Prison records can be very useful for genealogy and family history. For example, one of the many series of prison records for Townsville has provision for prisoner's name;  aliases;  ship and year of arrival;  where born;  religion;  occupation;  age;  height, build, complexion, and hair and eye colour;  ability to read/write;  scars, tattoos etc.

Explanation of names below:

• Selected entries from various dates between 1893 and 1905 (with gaps). Searches in the unindexed portion of this register (and in other record series) are feasible if you know an approximate year.
• '..' means no name was stated, or the name is illegible.
• A question mark means the handwriting was difficult to read and the spelling is in doubt.
• Names beginning with 'Mc' precede other 'M' surnames.
• Apostrophes have been removed from names such as O'NEILL.
• Scroll through the list. Names may have been spelled incorrectly in the records.
• If there is more than one entry for a name, the same person may be mentioned more than once, or there may be several people with the same name. Check *all* such entries, because some may be more detailed or more accurate than others.
• For names below, see how to get information, or copies of the original records.

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Genealogy is my business (not just a hobby), and I've spent over 35 years learning about (and indexing) original records, so I charge fees for my time (to consult my index, travel to a record office, find the bundle/volume and file/page, obtain copies and send them to you).

You don't pay for '(see...)' cross-references. For example, if the list said
    BLOGGS Joe
    BLOGGS Joe
    BLOGGS Joseph (see BLOGGS Joe)
then you'd request '2 x BLOGGS Joe' and pay for 2 entries (not 3, because the 3rd entry is just a cross-reference).

Option No.1:  'Prisoners at Townsville' INDEX: Record Series & Quote.

$4 for one entry, plus $2 for each additional entry (same name or different names). This option is especially useful for common names. If you get details from my index, you will sometimes see that the record must be for a different person with the same name, and you won't waste money ordering a copy that's irrelevant.

What I'll tell you (from my index):

• 'Document was created sometime BETWEEN [year] and [year]'.
• Possible contents of the original document.
• Notes (if any) that I made during indexing (sometimes with identifying details).
• No-obligation quote (it will be a discount price) for a digital image of the original document.

To send a request, follow these steps:

1. Calculate the cost ($4 for one entry, plus $2 each for extras).
2. Send payment by bank deposit or PayPal as explained here (opens in a new window).
3. In an email, type ''Prisoners at Townsville' INDEX: record series & quote', and...
4. List the entries you want. Don't send biographical details - just the names.
5. In your email, tell me the payment date, amount and method, and (if you have one) an alternative email address.
6. Send your email to the address shown on the payment page.

Option No.2:  Prisoners at Townsville: Digital COPY.

• For names on this page, use the Record Series/Quote service above.
• Searches in the unindexed portion of this register (and in other record series) are feasible if you know an approximate year. Check whether prison records are currently mentioned on my Services page.

Other Suggestions

Police Gazettes.

Published index to Charters Towers Gaol Discharge Book 1890-1901.

Police watchhouse records.

NSW gaol photographic description books 1871-1969.

Victoria prison registers 1871-1960.

Other prison records, Court records, criminal depositions, murder files, other police records, etc (described on this site or in my book Tips for Queensland Research).

My other genealogy sites have additional advice and names.

Search this site  (do NOT use apostrophes; read search results page carefully)

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