• NRS 12196, Copies of the Butts of Tickets of Exemption from Government Labor, 1827-32, SR Fiche 1002-1005

The butts of the tickets of exemption are the office record of the ticket of exemption which was given to the recipient as proof of his status. They generally provide quite detailed information about each convict receiving a ticket, such as: number and date, and name of the convict; name of ship, master and year of arrival; religion; native place; trade or calling; offence, place of trial, date of trial and sentence; year of birth; height, complexion, colour of hair and eyes, and other distinguishing features (such as tattoos and scars); name of relation with whom the convict was to reside (if applicable); district for which the ticket of exemption was valid.

In addition, information concerning colonial crimes and convictions, misdemeanours, punishments; name of master or details of employment; receipt of a certificate of freedom or ticket of leave; assignment to wife/husband etc or another person; reasons for which the ticket was granted (such as for services rendered, on recommendation, disability); and any change in the district for which the ticket applied can also be provided. Hence the ticket of exemption is an easy means of tracing the life or details of an individual convict. Information about correspondence is also recorded and is thus another means of delving into other records.

As one of the main features of the ticket of exemption was the privilege of residing with a relation, information about that person is also given. Not only is the name and relationship given but also, frequently, ship of arrival, maiden name, if born in the Colony, and if a convict, ship and status (free by servitude, ticket of leave, etc).

• NRS 12197, Copies of the Registers of Tickets of Exemption from Government Labor, 1828-32, SR Fiche 1006

The Registers are much more of a summary record and have been included for the sake of completeness. Number of the ticket of exemption, name of convict, ship and year of arrival are always recorded; residence, information concerning relations, notation that the ticket is a duplicate, changes in the district for which the ticket of exemption was valid, and information concerning relevant correspondence can be provided.

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