Got a Crim in the Family? WA Police Criminal Registers 1920s-1940s

The State Records Office of WA has commenced a new project to better preserve and digitise sets of Police Criminal Registers, 1920s-1940s. The registers record charges made against a specific person, providing a detailed physical description and a photographic “mugshot”. There are over 10,000 of these conviction sheets within these Registers.

These records are very popular amongst members of the public, although some are showing signs of wear and tear through regular handling. We are addressing the preservation needs for these records through targeted actions. Thanks to the Friends of Battye Library Inc, we have been provided funding from the Sholl Bequest (which the Friends administer) to unbind these Registers, digitise each sheet, and rehouse the records in archival-quality enclosures and folders. While digital access to these records will be preferred, the manner in which we are rehousing them means the original items can still be handled without causing any damage to the fragile papers.
 
This project will be ongoing during 2026-27.