Convict Guide - published 2006 - Manual / Resource - Page 405
Guide to New South Wales State archives relating to convicts and convict administration
Glossary of terms and
abbreviations
Abscond(ing)
Refers to convicts who have run away
Absolute Pardon
The convict's sentence was entirely remitted. It granted freedom both within
and outside the Colony and the freedom to return to Britain
Alias. A/S
Another name by which a person is known
Approver
One who gave evidence for the Crown to be pardoned (informer)
Assigned servant
Convict
Assignment
Convicts not required to work for the government were assigned to work for a
private individual
Assignment list
List of convicts sent to work for particular persons or areas. Can also refer to
a list of convicts assigned to be transported by a particular vessel
Assizes
Court sitting or session for hearing civil or criminal matters in Britain
Asylum
An institution offering refuge to the sick, mentally ill, infirm, poor and
destitute
Bench or Bench of
Magistrates
Local court
Blank Cover
Method of transmitting a letter from one department to another for
information without the need of writing another letter. The corner was
upturned for the reply
Bond
When used to describe a person's condition it refers to a convict
Bound indent
Handwritten manuscript convict indents which have been bound into a volume
Butts
The butt of a ticket of leave or certificate of freedom was the copy kept by the
government to record the details on the ticket/certificate given to the convict
like the stub or butt in a cheque book
Capital punishment
Death
Cat or Cat-of-nine
tails
Whip with nine loose strands
Certificate of
Conduct
Attests to a convict's good character and was usually signed by a number of
people such as the convict's master, magistrates and clergymen
Certificate of
Emancipation
An earlier form of Certificate of Freedom
Certificate of
Freedom
A certificate which indicated that a convict's entire sentence had been served.
Only available to those with a finite sentence (for example, 7, 10 or 14 years)
Chain gang
See iron'd gang
Circular
Letter or notice circulated between certain officials or a notice for the general
public
Clearing gangs
A gang of convicts used to clear land
Clerk of the peace
Responsible for prosecutions in criminal matters as de facto Registrar of the
Supreme Court in its Criminal jurisdiction as well as being the Registrar of the
Quarter Sessions is responsible for relevant court papers and depositions
Colonial conviction
The crime and trial took place in the colony as opposed to an imperial
conviction which had taken place in Britain or a British possession other than
the Australian Colonies
Colonial pardon
Pardon given for a crime committed in the Colony
Colonial Secretary
Chief government official responsible for administrative and policy matters
under the Governor. This was the most important government agency in the
convict era
Colonial ticket of
leave
Ticket of leave given to a convict convicted of a crime committed in the
Colony
350
State Records Authority of New South Wales
