June 2008
Nottingham criminal photograph book, 1900
Reference: CA/PO 4/18/3
Among the records of the Nottingham City Police is a series of criminal photograph books dating between 1884 and 1908. This fascinating collection of books gives detailed information on each convict, including a physical description, where born, marital status, trade or occupation, the offence for which they were convicted, date and sentence, when they were liberated, and any previous convictions. The accompanying photograph provides an often haunting snapshot of the individual.
Among the people recorded are:
- Elizabeth Mart, an 18 year old shoe worker from Leicester, who was sentenced to two months' hard labour for stealing a watch and chain in 1908
- Allen Leonardi, whose aliases included William Brown and Herbert Smith. He damaged a window valued at £4 10 shillings, and served 42 days in prison. He was fingerprinted on 18 July 1908
- Ellen Steer, one of several prostitutes from the Narrow Marsh area, who had a string of convictions, including 22 minor offences. In 1907 she was sentenced to four months' hard labour for larceny
The example shown is Horace Dunn, a seventeen year old collier from Nottingham who was fined 10 shillings for stealing a bicycle pump and lamp. He had numerous tattoos which are described in detail, including one of Buffalo Bill.
See Horace Dunn's page in more detail here [PDF 1885KB] 
Read a transcript of the page here [PDF 23KB]
More information on the records of Nottingham City can be found here.
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