Cecelia Blyghton
Read the character’s role in the novel, the surviving historical record and its uncertainties.
Young & Condemned
A boy in the record. A life beyond the sentence.
Allen Griffiths & Alice Elizabeth Keys
Allen was a child when a Nottingham court sentenced him to seven years’ transportation for stealing potted beef. The records follow him through Millbank, Parkhurst and Port Phillip. The novel follows the life that sentence could not contain.
This companion makes the underlying record visible. It offers the full chronology and individual profiles of people who appear in the story. Dates and sources are given where the records support them; the novel’s private scenes remain imaginative reconstruction.
Find the book on Amazon AustraliaPeople beyond Allen
These people were real. The novel reconstructs some of their interactions; the records do not preserve every conversation or motive.
Joseph Brown
Read the character’s role in the novel, the surviving historical record and its uncertainties.
Samuel Cobb
Read the character’s role in the novel, the surviving historical record and its uncertainties.
Elizabeth Griffiths
Read the character’s role in the novel, the surviving historical record and its uncertainties.
William Griffiths
Read the character’s role in the novel, the surviving historical record and its uncertainties.
Robert Hayband
Read the character’s role in the novel, the surviving historical record and its uncertainties.
Lydia Leeson
Read the character’s role in the novel, the surviving historical record and its uncertainties.
Allen’s life in the sources
The full chronology from the original book companion. Each entry names the source on which it rests; ages and other details sometimes conflict between records.
- Allen’s parents marry at Radford
The marriage record records William Griffiths marrying Cecilia Blyghton at Radford, Nottingham, England, on 5 February 1827.
Source: England, Marriages, 1538–1973, FamilySearch, FHL film nos. 504529–504531. - Brother George Griffiths is born
The baptism register records Georgius Griffiths as born on 15 December 1828 and baptised on 31 December 1828, the son of William and Cecilia Griffiths.
Source: The National Archives (UK), RG 4/139. - Allen Griffiths is baptised as Aloisius
The baptism register records Allen Griffiths as born on 21 March 1830 and baptised on 25 March 1830 at St Ann’s, Nottingham. He is recorded as the son of William and Cecelia Griffiths, formerly Mundy.
Source: The National Archives (UK), RG 4/139. - Sister Elizabeth Griffiths is born
The baptism register records Maria Elizabeth Griffiths as born on 24 August 1832 and baptised on 25 September 1832 at St Ann’s, Nottingham, the daughter of William and Cecelia Griffiths.
Source: The National Archives (UK), RG 4/139. - Sister Cecilia Griffiths is born
The baptism register records Cecilia Griffiths as born on 25 February 1835 and baptised on 13 March 1835, the daughter of William and Cecilia Griffiths.
Source: The National Archives (UK), RG 4/139. - Sister Cecilia Griffiths dies in infancy
The burial register for St Mary’s, Nottingham, records Cecilia Griffiths of Needle Place buried on 18 March 1835.
Source: Nottinghamshire Archives, St Mary’s, Nottingham, burial register, 1835. - Sister Mary Ann Griffiths is born
The baptism register records Marianna Griffiths as born on 24 August 1836 and baptised on 28 August 1836, the daughter of William and Cecilia Griffiths.
Source: The National Archives (UK), RG 4/139. - Sister Mary Ann Griffiths dies in childhood
The burial register for St Mary’s, Nottingham, records Mary Ann Griffiths of Pierrepont Street buried on 6 December 1838, aged three years.
Source: Nottinghamshire Archives, St Mary’s, Nottingham, burial register, 1838. - Allen is living with his family in Earl Street
The 1841 census records Allen, under the name Alloisius Griffiths, living in Earl Street, Nottingham, with his mother Cecelia, sister Elizabeth and members of their extended household.
Source: The National Archives (UK), 1841 Census, HO 107/870, Book 10, fol. 31, p. 15, schedule 2990. - Allen admits evidence in a larceny case
The Nottingham criminal register records Allen Griffiths, aged thirteen, and Samuel Cobb, aged eleven, in connection with a charge of larceny. The outcome “Admitted Evidence” indicates that Allen was admitted as a witness rather than sentenced for this charge.
Source: The National Archives (UK), HO 27/70, p. 413. - Allen gives evidence against Lydia Leeson
The Nottingham Mercury reported that Allen Griffiths had taken part with other boys in stealing goods for Lydia Leeson in return for money and food. Allen corroborated evidence against Leeson, who was convicted of receiving stolen property and sentenced to fourteen years’ transportation.
Source: Nottingham Mercury, 17 March 1843, p. 6, “Receiving Stolen Property at Sneinton”. - Allen is sentenced to seven years’ transportation
The criminal register records Allen Griffiths, aged twelve, Robert Hayband, aged nine, and Joseph Brown, aged fourteen, convicted of larceny and sentenced to seven years’ transportation. A contemporary newspaper report identifies the stolen property as a dish containing about three pounds of potted beef belonging to Richard Walkley.
Source: The National Archives (UK), HO 27/70, p. 419; Nottingham Review, 20 October 1843, p. 3. - Allen is sent from Nottingham to Millbank Penitentiary
The Nottingham Review reported that Allen Griffiths was among the prisoners removed from Nottingham County Gaol to Millbank Penitentiary. Robert Hayband and Joseph Brown were transferred with him.
Source: Nottingham Review, 15 December 1843, p. 4. - Allen is received at Millbank Prison
The Millbank register records twelve-year-old Allen Griffiths arriving from Nottingham County Gaol following his conviction for stealing a dish containing about three pounds of potted beef. He was recorded as a labourer who could read well and was serving a seven-year sentence.
Source: The National Archives (UK), Millbank Prison Register, Allen Griffiths, received 12 December 1843. - Allen is transferred to Parkhurst Prison
The Parkhurst register records Allen, aged twelve, arriving from Millbank on 20 January 1844. His offence was recorded as stealing three pounds of potted beef and his sentence as seven years’ transportation.
Source: The National Archives (UK), Parkhurst Prison Register, Griffiths Allan, received 20 January 1844. - Allen leaves England aboard the Thomas Arbuthnot
Transportation records identify Allen Griffiths among the Parkhurst exiles sent aboard the Thomas Arbuthnot for Port Phillip.
Source: Public Record Office Victoria, VPRS 89/P0000, Notifications of Pardon of Exiles; The National Archives (UK), HO 11/15. - Allen arrives at Port Phillip
The arrival register records Allan Griffiths, aged fifteen and prisoner no. 351, arriving as a Parkhurst exile. His offence was recorded as stealing beef, his sentence as seven years and his native place as Nottingham.
Source: Public Record Office Victoria, VPRS 14, Thomas Arbuthnot arrival and disposal records, 1 June 1847. - Allen is working at Dandenong
Contemporary newspaper reports record Allen Griffiths bringing a claim against Bernard Reily, also reported as Reilley, for £6 5s in unpaid wages, establishing that Allen had been employed by him at Dandenong.
Source: Port Phillip Gazette and Settler’s Journal, 20 October 1847; Port Phillip Patriot and Morning Advertiser, 20 October 1847. - Allen marries Alice Elizabeth Keys
The marriage register records Allen Griffiths and Alice Elizabeth Keys marrying at Christ Church, Hawthorn. Allen was recorded as a twenty-seven-year-old sawyer born in Nottingham, while Alice was recorded as a nineteen-year-old servant.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, marriage registration of Allen Griffiths and Alice Elizabeth Keys, 1857, entry no. 62. - Allen is prosecuted for cutting timber on Crown land
The Schnapper Point Petty Sessions register records Allen Griffiths charged with cutting timber on Crown land without a licence. The matter was adjourned with a caution, with Allen required to pay 2s 6d costs.
Source: Public Record Office Victoria, Schnapper Point Court of Petty Sessions, Register of Convictions, Orders and Other Proceedings, 9 June 1860. - Daughter Elizabeth Cecilia Griffiths is born at Eglinton Station
Elizabeth’s birth certificate records her birth at Eglinton Station and identifies her father, Allan Griffiths, as a thirty-year-old sawyer born in Nottinghamshire. Allan gave his residence as Cathkin Station, directly placing the Griffiths family there by November 1861.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, birth registration of Elizabeth Cecilia Griffiths, 1861, no. 23385. - Daughter Hannah Louisa Griffiths is born at Oxley
Hannah’s birth certificate records her father as Allen Griffiths, a thirty- five-year-old labourer born in Nottingham, and her mother as Hannah Louissa Kees, aged twenty-four and born in Hobart Town. It also records three earlier children: William, deceased; Alice Elizabeth; and Allen.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, birth registration of Hannah Louisa Griffiths, 1866, no. 10327. - Allen appears before the Beechworth Police Court
The Ovens and Murray Advertiser reported Allen Griffiths appearing before the Beechworth Police Court for being drunk and disorderly.
Source: Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 5 December 1867, p. 4, “Beechworth Police Court”. - Daughter Harriet May Griffiths is born
The birth registration records the birth of Allen and Alice Griffiths’ daughter Harriet May Griffiths.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, birth registration of Harriet Griffiths, 1868, no. 21674. - Daughter Sarah Griffiths is born
The birth registration records the birth of Allen and Alice Griffiths’ daughter Sarah Griffiths.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, birth registration of Sarah Griffiths, 1870, no. 21433. - Allen secures land at Moorngag
The Victoria Government Gazette records the approval of Allen Griffiths’ application for a licence over 20 acres, 1 rood and 18 perches in the Parish of Moorngag under Section 19 of the Land Act 1869.
Source: Victoria Government Gazette, no. 50, 16 July 1875, p. 1368, licence no. 711 Bo. - Allen holds Allotment 48B at Moorngag
Government records identify Allen Griffiths as the holder of licence no. 711 Bo for 20 acres, 1 rood and 18 perches at Moorngag. A parish survey plan identifies A. Griffiths on Allotment 48B.
Source: Victoria Government Gazette, 1875, p. 604, licence no. 711 Bo; Parish of Moorngag survey plan, Allotment 48B. - Twin sons William Thomas and John Edward are born
John Edward’s birth certificate records him as the younger of twins born at Green Hills in the Shire of Benalla. His father, Allan Griffiths, was a forty-five-year-old sawyer born in Nottingham, and his mother was Annie Louisa Griffiths, formerly Keys. His twin brother was William Thomas.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, birth registrations of William Thomas Griffiths and John Edward Griffiths, 1875, including no. 21361. - Allen and Alice lose their infant twin sons
William Thomas Griffiths died at Green Hills on 30 April 1876, aged seven months, followed by his twin brother John Edward on 1 May. Both deaths were attributed to diarrhoea, and both boys were buried at Benalla Cemetery on 2 May.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, death registrations of William Thomas Griffiths and John Edward Griffiths, 1876, nos. 4426 and 4427. - Daughter Mary Ann Griffiths is born
The Victorian birth record identifies Mary Ann Griffiths as the daughter of Allan Griffiths and Hannah Keys.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, birth registration of Mary Ann Griffiths, 1877, no. 13296. - Allen is taken to court over unpaid rates
The Benalla Petty Sessions register records the Shire Council proceeding against Allen Griffiths for six shillings in unpaid rates. An order was granted in favour of the Shire, with an extension allowed for payment.
Source: Public Record Office Victoria, Benalla Court of Petty Sessions, Register of Convictions, Orders and Other Proceedings, 27 December 1878. - Allen transfers his Moorngag land to John Little
Government Gazette notices record Allan Griffiths applying to transfer licence no. 711, Allotment 48B at Moorngag, to John Little. The transfer covered 20 acres, 1 rood and 18 perches and was subsequently sanctioned under Section 20 of the Land Act 1869.
Source: Victoria Government Gazette, 2 April 1879, p. 779; Victoria Government Gazette, 1879, p. 1206. - Son Thomas Joseph Griffiths is born
The Victorian birth index records Thomas Joseph Griffiths born at Benalla to Allan Griffiths and Annie Louisa, whose family name at birth was recorded as Hatchell.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, birth registration of Thomas Joseph Griffiths, 1880, no. 572. - Allen is fined for being drunk and disorderly
The Benalla Petty Sessions register records Allen Griffiths charged with being drunk and disorderly. He was fined five shillings, with twelve hours’ imprisonment in default.
Source: Public Record Office Victoria, Benalla Court of Petty Sessions, Register of Convictions, Orders and Other Proceedings, 30 June 1880. - Allen is prosecuted over his daughters’ school attendance
Three proceedings were brought against Allen Griffiths concerning the school non-attendance of daughters Harriet, Hannah and Sarah. After the cases were adjourned on 29 October because no magistrate was present, Allen was fined 2s 6d in each case on 5 November.
Source: Public Record Office Victoria, Benalla Court of Petty Sessions, Register of Convictions, Orders and Other Proceedings, 29 October and 5 November 1880. - Allen secures 146 acres at Tatong
The Victoria Government Gazette records the approval of Allan Griffiths’ application for a licence over 146 acres at Tatong. The first payment, survey charge and licence fee totalled £10 15s 6d.
Source: Victoria Government Gazette, 22 June 1883, p. 1495, licence no. 16570 Be. - Bushfire enters Griffiths’ paddock near Kilfeera Road
The North Eastern Ensign reported that a major bushfire near Benalla entered “Griffiths’ other paddock facing Kilfeera Road” after burning about one hundred acres of grass. Firefighters eventually stopped the blaze in the paddock after a severe struggle.
Source: North Eastern Ensign, 10 February 1885, p. 3, “Destructive Bush Fires Near Benalla”. - Allen and Alice become grandparents
The Victorian birth record documents the birth of Thomas Newman, son of their daughter Hannah.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, birth registration of Thomas Newman, 1886, no. 30345. - Son Allan Griffiths marries Charlotte Elizabeth Seaman
The Victorian marriage record documents the marriage of Allan Griffiths Jr and Charlotte Elizabeth Seaman.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, marriage registration of Allan Griffiths and Charlotte Eliza Seaman, 1886, no. 6822. - Daughter Harriet Griffiths is working at the Carrier’s Arms Hotel
A report of proceedings at the Benalla Court of Petty Sessions provides evidence that Harriet Griffiths was employed at the Carrier’s Arms Hotel, including her involvement in receiving butcher’s meat for the hotel.
Source: North Eastern Ensign, 19 May 1889, p. 2, “Benalla Court of Petty Sessions”. - Daughter Ruby Lavinia Griffiths is born at Benalla
Ruby’s birth certificate records her father as Allan Griffiths, a sawyer born in England, and her mother as Hannah Louisia Griffiths, formerly Keys, born in Tasmania. The certificate also lists their surviving and deceased children.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, birth registration of Ruby Lavinia Griffiths, 1889, no. 18732. - Daughter Harriet Griffiths appears in court proceedings involving George West
The Benalla Standard reported court proceedings involving Harriet Griffiths and George West, a dairy farmer in the Benalla district, providing contemporary evidence of their association.
Source: Benalla Standard, 22 July 1889, p. 3, “Court Proceedings”. - Allen is prosecuted over Thomas and Mary’s school attendance
The Benalla Petty Sessions register records two proceedings against Allan Griffiths for failing to send his children Thomas and Mary to school for the required number of days. He was fined 2s 6d in Thomas’s case and five shillings in Mary’s case, and paid the fines that day.
Source: Public Record Office Victoria, Benalla Court of Petty Sessions, Register of Convictions, Orders and Other Proceedings, 1 July 1890. - Daughter Harriet gives birth to Annie Elizabeth Griffiths
The Victorian birth record documents the birth of Harriet May Griffiths’ daughter Annie Elizabeth Griffiths.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, birth registration of Annie Elizabeth Griffiths, 1893, no. 928. - Allen is again prosecuted over Thomas’s school attendance
The Benalla Petty Sessions register records Allen Griffiths charged with failing to ensure that his son Thomas attended school for forty days during the quarter ending 31 March 1892. Allen was fined five shillings.
Source: Public Record Office Victoria, Benalla Court of Petty Sessions, Register of Convictions, Orders and Other Proceedings, 26 July 1892. - Daughter Hannah’s husband Joseph Newman dies
The Victorian death record documents the death of Joseph Andrew Newman at Benalla.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, death registration of Joseph Andrew Newman, 1892, no. 9138. - Allen faces another school-attendance proceeding
The Benalla Petty Sessions register records Allen Griffiths accused of failing to ensure that his child Maud attended school for the required forty days during the quarter ending 30 June 1892. The case was withdrawn.
Source: Public Record Office Victoria, Benalla Court of Petty Sessions, Register of Convictions, Orders and Other Proceedings, 30 September 1892. - The community rallies around daughter Hannah
Following Joseph Newman’s death from consumption, a benefit concert was held at Moorngag Hall to assist his widow Hannah, Allen and Alice’s daughter.
Source: North Eastern Ensign, 4 November 1892, p. 3, “A Benefit Concert”. - Son Allan Griffiths abandons a mining lease
A published mining notice records Allan Griffiths Jr among the holders abandoning mining leases in the Omeo district.
Source: Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle, 20 October 1894, p. 3, “Mining Notices”. - Son Allan’s wife, Charlotte Elizabeth Griffiths, dies at Omeo
The Victorian death record documents the death of Charlotte Elizabeth Griffiths, wife of Allan Griffiths Jr, at Omeo.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, death registration of Charlotte Griffiths, 1897, no. 6492. - Jane Cecelia Maud Griffiths marries David John Ah Pack
The Victorian marriage record documents the marriage of Jane Cecelia Maud Griffiths and David John Ah Pack.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, marriage registration of David John Ah Pack and Jane Cecelia Maud Griffiths, 1897, no. 2952. - Allan Griffiths is discharged in the Bairnsdale saw case
Allan Griffiths, David Ah Pack and Thomas Griffiths were charged with stealing a crosscut saw and two maul rings. The saw had been found at the Griffiths house, but Allan was discharged unconditionally and the two younger men were also discharged after being cautioned.
Source: Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle, 31 July 1897, p. 4, “Bairnsdale Petty Sessions”. - Daughter Harriet loses her infant son John Leslie
John Leslie Griffiths, Harriet Griffiths’ ten-month-old son, died at Punt Flat, Bairnsdale, from croupous pneumonia and heart failure. He was buried at Bairnsdale Cemetery.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, death registration of John Leslie Griffiths, 1897, no. 7551. - Daughter Sarah’s husband William Balloch becomes insolvent
An insolvency notice identifies William Balloch, a blacksmith of Bruthen, and attributes his insolvency to sickness in the family, business losses in Bairnsdale, Bruthen and Omeo, and lack of employment.
Source: The Argus, 8 July 1898, p. 4, “New Insolvents”. - Allen appears before the St Kilda Petty Sessions
The St Kilda Petty Sessions register records Allan Griffiths charged after being found drunk and disorderly in a public place the previous day. The case was discharged.
Source: Public Record Office Victoria, St Kilda Court of Petty Sessions, Register of Convictions, Orders and Other Proceedings, 14 June 1907. - Allen is living in Prahran
The 1915 electoral roll records Allan Griffiths at 23 Charles Street, Prahran, working as a labourer.
Source: Australian Electoral Commission, Electoral Roll, 1915, Prahran, Fawkner, Victoria. - Thomas Joseph Griffiths enlists in the AIF
Allen and Alice’s son Thomas Joseph Griffiths enlisted for overseas service, aged thirty-six. His attestation records his birthplace as Benalla, his occupation as labourer and his wife Alice Evelyn Griffiths as his next of kin.
Source: National Archives of Australia, B2455, GRIFFITHS T J, item 4703513, AIF attestation paper, 9 February 1916. - Allen Griffiths dies at Dandenong
Allen’s death certificate records that he died at Berwick Road, Dandenong, aged eighty- eight, from senility and heart failure. It records his father as William Griffiths, coach builder, and his mother as Cecelia, and states that Allen had lived in Victoria for sixty-nine years. He was buried at Springvale Cemetery on 19 December.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, death registration of Allen Griffiths, 1917, no. 12052. - Allen’s death is announced in The Age
A death notice described Allen as late of Benalla and the beloved husband of Annie E. Griffiths. It gave his age as eighty-six years and seven months, differing from the age recorded on his death certificate.
Source: The Age, 19 December 1917, death notice for Allen Griffiths. - Mary Ann Griffiths becomes the mother of triplets
The Victorian birth record documents the birth at Prahran of Gordon Griffiths Sharpe, one of the children of Mary Ann Griffiths and Charles Stuart Sharpe.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, birth registration of Gordon Griffiths Sharpe, 1918, no. 6170. - Alice Elizabeth Griffiths dies at Coburg
Alice’s death certificate records that she died at Coburg aged eighty-four. Her parents are recorded as Joseph Keys, sea captain, and Sarah Keys, formerly Perry. The certificate states that Alice was born in Hobart and names her surviving children. She was buried at Springvale Cemetery on 22 February 1928.
Source: Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, death registration of Alice Elizabeth Griffiths, 1928, no. 1205.
“The record tells me what happened. The novel asks what it meant.”
What can we know?
The documents establish dates, places, proceedings and family relationships, sometimes imperfectly. Dialogue, private thoughts and connecting scenes are reconstructed. Where sources disagree, the uncertainty belongs in the story of the research too.
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