Australia, Victoria, Petty Sessions Registers, 1858-1985
Court records extracted from several different Archival Series and held by the Public Record Office Victoria in North Melbourne, Australia. The records are arranged chronologically within each of the Magistrate Courts and contain brief details of minor criminal matters and committal proceedings.
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Australia, Victoria, Petty Sessions Registers
What is in This Collection?
This collection includes court cases from the Petty Sessions Registers which covers the years from 1851 to 1937. 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.
Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.
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
Collection Content
Sample Image
Petty Session Register, December 1888
Collection Details
Location of Original Records
Victoria Public Record Office
"Australia, Victoria, Petty Sessions Registers, 1858-1985." Database. FamilySearch. https://FamilySearch.org : 10 July 2025. Records extracted by FindMyPast and images digitized by FamilySearch. Public Records Office of Victoria, North Melbourne.
