Convict ancestry?

[Bellejazz]

Sorry to unwittingly restart a conversation that had only just concluded. Happens when you are a newbie.

No drama!
It's not really the same conversation anyway as mine was about multiple ancestors and yours is just asking how many rootschatters have a convict ancestor and with the addition of the poll it's all very interesting to see.

I'm happy to see any topics on convicts given it is such an interesting subject
Anyway, I just thought you might be interested to see that thread.

- Belinda.

[trish251]

I have none - I claim my husband's first fleeter - but for this thread I voted no.

Trish

[MarieC]

It's a good thread, Nudge!  And yes, different from the last one!  'Twill be interesting to see how the poll goes.

Mike, Jack Thompson actually called them "Australian Royalty"!  I like that.  I'll be watching the reruns, including his programme!

MarieC

[mbiggar]

Several convicts in the family tree and the family is proud of them.  All made good lives for themselves and their children in Australia.

Third great grandparents:
John Pike, convicted 1797 of "stealing kitchen utensils including two copper stew pans, a gin cask and a delft bowl, total value 11 shillings from Henry Richards (the elder); 2 waistcoats worth 10 shillings from Frederick Richards". Once he had served his time, John married fellow convict Jane Ferralty/Ferriday.
Jane Ferriday, convicted 1806 of a felony crime: "stealing the value of 40 shillings in a dwelling house", sentenced to death, commuted to life in NSW. Family history says she was part of a gang that robbed coaches.

John James Robert Peake, convicted 1808 of forged bank notes, sentenced to 14 yrs in NSW. Married Elizabeth Buckam or Elizabeth Alcock, daughter of convicts Robert Alcock and Sarah Buckham.

Anyone with ancestry in Australia dating prior to about 1850 would likely have some convict ancestry.  The closer to 1800 the higher the likelihood! 

[sarra]

I thought I had one.... he was one of the Exiles.  Transported for stealing a pair of trousers he was only sixteen. Turns out he was not my William at all.

I still think I may uncover one on my husband's side one day.
His father was born in Tasmania....no information has ever been found for his birth, parents or anything.
So perhaps one day we will find a convict in our family.

Sarra

[Les de B]

Yes, I too posted my convicts in the other thread, but this is thread appears to be a poll, so will put my vote in too.

Here is my reply to the other thread;

I'm extremeley lucky, being one of those rare direct blood descendants of 8 convicts;

1) Sarah Dorset "Lady Julianna" (2nd Fleet) 1789
2) Mary Harrison "Mary Ann" (2nd/3rd Fleet - debatable) 1791
3) Edward Robinson "Admiral Barrington: (3rd Fleet) 1791
4) George Smith "Fortune" 1806
5) Mary Clark "Woodman" 1823
6) Wlliam McCready ""Recovery" 1823
7) Thomas Sarjeant "Maquis of Hastings" 1827
Stephen Williams "Eleanor" 1831

plus quite a few more who married into the family of direct blood ancestors. Also, lucky enough to have Robert Watson, a 1st Fleet crewman abaord the "Sirius".

[minnie222]

I have one that I know of.

He was transported to VDL - Port Arthur for stealing 20 pigeons in the company of others.

He had missed being transported previously for break and enters and 18 years worth of misdemenours.   He was widowed and left behind 2 young children never to be seen again.

He remarried at 44 and fathered 5 children and died at 78.

Was gaoled at 68 for beating his wife up!..

[MarieC]

Seems he'd never got over his miscreant ways, Minnie!! 

MarieC

[minnie222]

Poor sod  was dead for 4 days before anyone found him.  I think he was outcast by the family after he assaulted his wife.  There was a coronial enquiry.

At least with convicts you can trace them .

I've just been given some certificates to peruse from the family and my grandmother has recorded her father with a different name to the one on the birth certificates, also her Mum has had different surname to her birth registry.   No wonder we hit brick walls.

Cheers Barb