Australia, Victoria, Petty Sessions Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes court cases from the Petty Sessions Registers which covers the years from 1851 to 1937.

In collaboration with the Public Records Office of Victoria (PROV) and FindmyPast, FamilySearch is able to publish this collection of Petty Sessions court records. The Court of Petty Sessions was originally intended to hear minor criminal cases. These cases included, but were not limited to drunkenness, minor assaults, and for matters under twenty pounds; typically, without a jury. Court cases are heard before the magistrate. The original records are housed at the Public Records Office Victoria in North Melbourne, Australia.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:


 * Name of ancestor
 * Address of ancestor
 * Role of ancestor in case (plaintiff or defendant)
 * Complaint
 * Date of complaint
 * Ruling on case

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Your ancestor's name
 * Some identifying information such as residence
 * Other ancestors who may be named in the complaint
 * Possible years he or she may have been involved in a criminal case

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add the new information to your records
 * Use the information to find the person in other records
 * Analyze the entry to see if if provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Search the records of nearby localities (or military units, counties, parishes, etc.).
 * Not everyone in a given locality will be in these records, only those involved with minor court cases.

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Australia.
 * Record Finder
 * Australia Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.