G'day, "WF" would be the initials of the magistrate imposing the reprimand. denial is just a record of his prior trouble with the law. Every convict was questioned on arrival, by Mister Muster Master (as the early newspapers delighted in calling him). The records which arrived from England varied in content. Newspapers often add some detail to the official record of court appearances. Peter THOMAS Darwin, Australia <[email protected]> -----Original Message----- From: Greer Wilkinson [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, 9 May 2002 13:12 To: [email protected] Subject: [TAS-CONVICTS] Question re Convict Record I am a new lister and new researcher (6 mths) but have just received copies of convict records for my ancestors, George CANNON and Mary Ann DEAN (which has opened a wonderful new door!) I am managing to read and make sense of them (surprisingly) but I have three areas that I’m stuck with. 1. Mary Ann’s Record states “… absent all nights without leave /Repd./ WF / May 1 1839 ….” What does the WF mean – there are two uses of this in the record. Is it just an initial of the recorder? George’s trade is listed as “House Lad and Tailor” – can anyone explain what a House Lad would have done? George received transportation for life for “ HBreaking” which is self- explanatory but also “denies being in prison before or transported before”. Was this denial an offence? Can SKP explain where would I look for other prison / transportation records? There are no other George CANNONS in the Tas records prior to this event. Any help would be much appreciated. For info, George and Mary Ann married in Tasmania, had six children (one of whom was my g-g-f and he died at the ripe old age of 84 in Launceston! Thanks in anticipation Greer Wilkinson Balhannah, SAust.