How many Convicts are you descended from?

[tropicalj]

My earliest free settlers were into Tassie in 1836 on "THe Bardcaster" unfortunately very little info to be found...  the 1841 census thats it.


Two brothers and their  families, they didn't stay long well one died so thats his excuse  the other my gggf went to South Australia.

But still no convicts

regards Jenn

[joppo1968]

I am born & Bred Taswegian, so I'd have to have a few convicts in the family wouldn't I  On the Jopson side, the 1st to migrate was my Great Grandfather Edward Beardsworth Jopson in 1852. On my Mum's side, Edwin & John Boultbee came on the "Woodlark" in 1823 as free settlers, with Edwin's future wife, Mary Allen arriving on the same boat. My 3rd Great Grandfather George Jubb, came out as a convict with Governor Bligh in 1804 on the "Fortune" & his future 2nd wife, Ann Halward came as a convict on "Sydney Cove" in 1807. My 2nd Great Grandaunt, Ann Jubb (nee Brim) was also a convict, coming out on "Jane" in 1833. My 2nd Great Grandfather Benjamin Walters & my 3rd Great Grandfather Richard Wise both came as convicts on "Earl of Spencer" in 1813 & another convict was Joseph Stanley (my 2nd Great Granduncle by marriage) came on the "Prince of Orange" in 1822. My 2nd Great Grandparents, James & Ann Elizabeth Byard (nee Sale) came as free settlers in 1853.

There's probably more convicts to turn up yet  It adds a bit of spice to life...but not for them unfortunately!

Mike.

[jeanlit]

Well.. my mum says to me all the time my family were all "free settlers". She's really proud of it too. If only I could find one convict on her side; then she's probably disown that side of the family! 

My old aunt always said "Well, if there's any convicts in the family, they would have to be on your uncle's side ...."     

Famous last words, you know whose side there was six convicts on and whose side pure English emigrant!!!

Jean

[MarieC]

Jean, 

Isn't it nice that we celebrate our convict forebears now - we are no longer ashamed of them!!!! 

MarieC

[Dancing Master]

It depends on what you would classify as a convict in those times.  I have one that was transported for 7 years for "stealing my finding a ladies handkerchief"  He was walking home and found it  in the ditch as the side of the road.

Would that be a criminal act in these times, I think not.

He went on after he gained hsi freedom to become a Constable in the Australian Force and was an explorer for the Austalian Government.

[MarieC]

Dancing Master,

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of stories like this in Australia.  People sentenced for laughable "crimes" who went on to forge successful lives in the new country!  Sometimes I think Britain did them a favour by transporting them! 

MarieC

[joppo1968]

Well done Di, you are the Queen of Convicts  It doesn't sound so flattering like that but I've gotta give it to you...17 is hard to top 

Mike. (I'm not worthy!)

[JAP]

Assertions that crimes committed by convicts were not really crimes seems to me almost like continuing (at just one small step removed) earlier claims that families did not have convict forebears...

JAP

[Les de B]

Assertions that crimes committed by convicts were not really crimes seems to me almost like continuing (at just one small step removed) earlier claims that families did not have convict forebears..

Its not that our ancestors weren't criminals, its just the punishment doesn't fit the crime in most cases. Then again, I'm not complaining as I wouldn't be here (Australia or the planet?) if my 8 ancestors weren't transported.

Les