Convict Certificates of Freedom
A certificate of freedom was a document stating that a convict's sentence had been served
A certificate of freedom was a document stating that a convict's sentence had been served.
Overview
The certificate of freedom was introduced into New South Wales because of the need for former convicts to prove that they were in fact free. (Hirst, Convict Society, p.123). By the Bushranger Act 1830 anyone could be detained on suspicion of being a runaway convict unless proof of free status could be produced. On completion of their sentences convicts would make a declaration to the local magistrate who would send to Sydney to check the indents. If all was in order a certificate was issued after a fee had been paid. (Hirst, Convict Society, p.123).
A certificate of freedom was only available to a convict with a finite sentence of 7, 10 or 14 years. Convicts with a life sentence could receive a pardon but not a certificate of freedom.
Indexes to the records
Search across the following indexes in the Convicts Index
- Index to tickets of leave certificates of emancipation and pardons, 1810-1819
- Index to certificates of freedom, 1823-1869
Other indexes to check:
- Index to the Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1825
- Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to convicts and others, 1826-1867 (compiled by Joan Reese)
- Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to letters sent re convicts, 1826-May 1855 (compiled by Joan Reese)
- Contemporary Colonial Secretary's Indexes and Registers, 1826-1900, NRS-922
Record series
Principal Superintendent of Convicts records
Series | Title | Dates |
|---|---|---|
NRS-12208 [4/4423-4427], Reels 601-602 | Registers of certificates of freedom 4 Feb 1810-26 Aug 1814, 1 Dec 1823-Apr 1827, Jun 1828-Dec 1833 The amount of information in the volumes varies but they contain at least date, name, ship and year of arrival, when tried and sentence. | 1810-1833 |
NRS-12210 [4/4289-4418], Reels 982-1027 & 604 | Butts of certificates of freedom These butts show: number and date of certificate; number and name of prisoner; ship, master and date of arrival; native place; calling; place and date of trial; sentence; year of birth; physical description and sometimes a note re ticket of leave held. Additional notes often written in pencil concerning the district or certificates' delivery may also appear. There are indexes in front of the individual volumes. | 1827-1867 |
Colonial Secretary
Series | Title | Dates |
|---|---|---|
NRS-898 [4/1713-1714], Reels 602, 1258 & 6026; COD 238[4/10799.1] | Special bundles Affidavits attesting loss of certificates of freedom. Index on Reels 1250-51. Affidavits attesting to loss of certificates of freedom | 3 Feb 1823-12 May 18251824-1825 |
NRS-1183 [4/1690], Reels 603 & 6028 | Copies of affidavits notifying loss of certificates of freedom, etc. | 1822-1825 |
NRS-1167 [4/4427 pp.120-165], Reel 601, COD 18 | Returns of pardons and certificates of freedom surrendered | 29 Jan 1810-18 Feb 1811 |
Police
Series | Title | Dates |
|---|---|---|
NRS-10990 [4/4421-4422], Reels 603 & 1258 | Convict Branch — Butts of colonial certificates of freedom These certificates were given to convicts who had been convicted within the colony. The butts show: name, ship and year of arrival, native place, trade or calling, offence, place and date of trial, sentence, year of birth, and physical description | 20 Feb 1860-1 Oct 1869 |