09 May 2009

TNA podcast - Catching Victorian and Edwardian criminals on paper

Edward Marsden presented this talk at TNA on 2 April 2009. It focuses on the problem of serious habitual criminals and how to keep track of them which became an issue when transportation to Australia ceased in the 1870s. The lecture focuses on the methods utilised by police and government to record and monitor such offenders, and how the surviving records can be used by present-day historians to investigate both historical and contemporary questions concerning serious and persistent crime.

The presentation recounts some interesting cases of habitual offenders, including one which relates to British Columbia, drawing on criminal and other records to build up a picture of these men (mostly men) and their careers.

Unfortunately there is no specific information given on how to find the criminal records sources used.

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