The life of an ex-convict

[Strattonred]

Hi,

I am trying to research the life of Charles Selwood (also spelt Sellwood), who came to Australia as a convict in 1833.
I have his 'Ticket of leave' issued in 1837 at Bong Bong court, and i also have his 'Certificate of Freedom' issued in 1840.
Charles worked for Charles Throsby-Smith, one of the main founders of Wollongong, and Glenfield (one of Throsby-Smith's estates) is mentioned on one of the certificates.

However, after 1840 I cannot find any record of Charles's life, I was hoping that someone could help me find out about Charles's life in Australia after gaining his freedom(or while a convict).
I have found a death record, from 1889, of a Charles Sellwood, who died in Liverpool, NSW (which is very close to Glenfield) and the man was 83 so would have been the correct age to be my Charles... but what happened to him in the 49 years inbetween?
Can anyone please help, or point me in the right direction?

Nathan

[majm]

Hi there

Mention of Charles Selwood in the Berrima district in 1846 

http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/28649485

That newspaper site is good  its part of this : http://trove.nla.gov.au/


Also, a Charles Throsby of Berrima was listed in the 1841 NSW Census, do you have this as it may give info about your chap too...  There's other references to Charles Throsby too, here's the index link

http://srwww.records.nsw.gov.au/indexsearch/keyname.aspx

Cheers,  JM

[majm]

Hi there,

Charles Selwood and Matilda Williams listed as the parents of Charles Selwood born 16 Mar 1841 and baptised 11 Apr 1841 at All Saints, Sutton Forest NSW http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start

Remember that many parish records are not included in the NSW Early Church Records indexes online at NSW BDM http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/historyofRegistrysRec.htm

Cheers,  JM

Edit to Add .... earlier thread http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,356652.msg2339867.html#msg2339867

[Strattonred]

Ah, yes, that is really helpful thanks
I did not know anything about Charles's child with Matilda Williams, now I guess I will have to try and find out about Matilda and Charles Junior's lives as well

Do Australia have census records similar to the English Census records? If so, what year did they start?

[majm]

Hi there,

Basically the census records do not survive, once the stats were collated the documents were destroyed.  However, there's other ways    Many parts of the 1841 census survived, and Charles Throsby's is there at the NSW State Records.   It may be worthwhile to follow up on him and his household.   

NSW resources are well covered by the several pages of links listed here: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,369703.0.html

Did you contact the Local Studies group mentioned in your earlier thread?

Cheers,  JM

[sparrett]

Hi Nathan,
I would consider purchasing the death certificate you think may be your CHARLES SELLWOOD.

It is probable that little was known about him at death as evidenced by his age being given on the index in place of his parents names.

However, as it seems little is surviving about him on the public record, this may be an advisable option.

REG. 7397 In 1883  SELLWOOD,  CHARLES.  AGE 83 YEARS  DIED LIVERPOOL  reg at LIVERPOOL   

Even what small detail there is my be of interest.

This link shows how a transcription can be purchased at a lesser cost.
 
http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/howToTraceYouFamTree.htm


This link shows what you may find on the certificate (at best!)

http://www.jaunay.com/bdm.html

Sue

[majm]

Hi there,

Perhaps this reference may help with a transcript too, most likely it is for that baptism on the pilot search site  V1841 line 1529 Vol 25a (it is for a baptism of Charles WILLIAMS, mother Matilda).   Although I know that the Early Church Records stored at NSW BDM don't have a lot of information on them.
 

Cheers,  JM

[majm]

I knew I had seen the surname somewhere     

1875 Sands Directory at 50 Princes St Sydney Mrs Ellen Selwood, dressmaker 
1877 Sands Directory same address Ellen Selwood, dressmaker

Princes Street no longer exists as it was where they built the southern approaches for Sydney Harbour Bridge    (some of my forebears had lived in Princes Street from early 1830's) ...

If there is a connection found between Mrs Ellen Selwood and Nathan's Charles Selwood, then the City of Sydney Assessment Books may be worth searching for further clues  Princes Street was in the GIPPS ward
http://www.rootschat.com/links/07nx/

NB, Sands Directory 1885 has a Mrs Helen Selwood, dressmaker,  at Blues St Vic ... to me that would be "Vic" as in NORTH SYDNEY ie that area previously known as "Victoria Cross".  That directory also has the following SELWOOD entries

E. W. a ticket writer at 338 George St (this would be George Street City of Sydney)
G. E., grocer at Canterbury Rd Mar (this would be Marrickville)

Cheers,  JM

 

[sparrett]

Hi
I think MRS ELLEN SELWOOD was an assisted immigrant with possibly her children.

SELWOOD,Ellen age, 45. ship,   British Commodore.    year, 1873. arrived, Sydney with family. ref.Reel 2140, [4/4799] Page 68; Reel 2486, [4/4998]

With her
 
KATE 18
ROSE 9
WALTER 11.
Sue