This index will be of interest to those researching the assignment of convicts for the period December 1821 to December 1825. The index records the convict’s name, ship, date of assignment, to whom assigned, residence and remarks.
The Index includes the convict’s name, ship and date of assignment, to whom assigned, residence and remarks. The remarks column may sometimes include occupation and assigned work gang.
A Volunteer project.
About the records
On arrival, a convict was either retained by the Government for labour on public works or was assigned to an individual. Very few records of assignment have survived.
Register of artificers and other labourers assigned, 12/12/1821-31/12/1825 (NRS 12193)
The register shows date of bond, to whom assigned, residence, prisoner's name, ship, occupation, date of payment, commencing date and cause of return and occasionally, additional observations.
(4/4520; microfiche copy Fiche 746, microfilm copy Reel 586). 1 vol.
Registers of prisoners who were not artificers and who had been assigned, 24/12/1821-31/12/1824 (NRS 12194)
The volumes record date of assignment, to whom assigned, residence, prisoner's name, ship, remarks, date and reason for return.
The index records name, ship, date of assignment, location of original, page number, and entry number (if applicable).
(4/4521; microfiche copy Fiche 747-748, microfilm copy Reel 586), 1825 (4/4522; microfilm copy Reel 586). 2 vols.
The Dictionary of Old Trades and Occupations (2nd ed.), Andrew and Sandra Twining, defines an artificer as ‘a skilled craftsman or a serviceman trained in mechanics.’
Example of the records
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More information
For more information on surviving assignment records see our published guide, Convicts and Convict Administration Chapter 2 Assignment.
Musters and Census records may also be used to trace convict whereabouts and their employers »
