Author: Sandra Hopper

VPRS 519 is a single volume which records prisoners under the 'Sentence of Hard Labour' dating from 1847 to 1853.

It contains detailed personal information about the prisoners including personal histories and descriptions. Information includes: prisoner number; name; the name of the ship name on which they arrived to the Colony; height; complexion; hair colour; eye colour; nose; mouth; chin; trade or calling; religion; year of birth; marital status; particular marks; and previous history. Note: In January 1853, a number of entries were made with no numbers at all, these men were all seamen. So if you are researching your family history or researching early penal history, this gem contains a lotof details about the prisoners sentenced to hard labour to the roads of the new colony.

Material in the Public Record Office Victoria archival collection contains words and descriptions that reflect attitudes and government policies at different times which may be insensitive and upsetting

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be aware the collection and website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

PROV provides advice to researchers wishing to access, publish or re-use records about Aboriginal Peoples