Hello Not sure if this message has been posted as I had a failure notice. On the subject of rewriting history, I've been looking for something I read, I think it was by Errol Lea-Scarlett, arguing that the 1870 destruction of convict records was due to the hated stain and the desire of a prosperous new middle class to erase our convict origins.  Views of Thunderbolt's career could be seen in the same way, in the sense that if he escaped and it was covered up by police history has been rewritten to suit a prevailing mindset.  This has been the thesis of recent books on the subject.  And if so then just maybe the truth could be sought out.. Regards  Richard