Databases and Indexes

Further details of many of these database indexes may be available through the Geelong Family History Group.

Make sure you look at the two Research Options on their website and most importantly follow the link to the GFHG Research Files Catalogue List to check for these or many more indexes and documents.

• Winchelsea: Court of Petty Sessions Cause List Books (1865-1888); Court of Petty Sessions Registers (1888-1941); Licensing Court Registers (1865-1912)
• Public Record Office Victoria, North Melbourne
• VPRS 362 Unit 11 [indexed]
• VPRS 362 Unit 12 [part indexed]

• NAME: Either Prosecutor / Complainant / Applicant OR Defendant - COMMENT field will explain which
• DATE: of court sitting
• OTHER NAMES: Either Prosecutor / Complainant / Applicant OR Defendant - COMMENT field will explain which
• COMMENT: Reason for court appearance, and explanation of NAME and OTHER NAMES field for EACH entry
• REFERENCE: VPRS number and UNIT number (entries are in chronological order)

VPRS 362 contains 13 Units:

• Unit 11: Cause List Book 1865-1872 - indexed
• Unit 12: Cause List Book 1872-1881 - part indexed

• 1656 entries
• The majority of these have been duplicated as each entry contains two sets of names - Prosecutor and Defendant.

• How before the court?: Arrest, summons etc
• Fees: associated with court appearance
• Charge, cause or proceeding: more detail than provided in the COMMENT field
• Decision, memo of conviction or order
• Remarks

If you would like to assist with indexing the registers for the Winchelsea Court of Petty Sessions, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it who is co-ordinating this project.

1860: Court of Petty Sessions met at the Barwon Hotel

Needs to be confirmed but the Court probably then met in the Shire Hall which was customary in country towns.

From Victorian Municipal Directory

In 1890 the Court of Petty Sessions met at Winchelsea on alternate Thursdays at 11.00 am - the Clerk of Courts was Victor Elkington.

The Court met at Birregurra on the last Saturday in each month at 11.00 am - the Clerk of Courts was J W Lloyd.

By 1914 the Court was commencing at 10.00 am.