"Parkhurst Boys" transported to NZ 1842/43

[BAC3]

Hello Riley,

I forgot to mention that I had already advertised for information about the Parkhurst Boys in the "NZ Genealogist Magazine" back in April/May of this year. 

There were about 5 responses, which I felt was quite good, the descendants of Isaac Burnand being one of them.

My regards

Tony

[BAC3]

Hello Annie,

I thought I would keep you up-to-date with my follow-ups to some of the websites you have kindly sent me.

You will recall my writing to Lucy Frost about the [ESCAPE] Conference in 2003 and a Paper delivered by a Robert Grant about escaped convicts to NZ in the early 19th century......these could have muddied the waters for the "Parkhurst Boys" and been partly responsible for the bad press they got.

Unfortunately she does not have copies of the Papers that were delivered at that Conference and is not sure of the present whereabouts of Robert Grant, except he may be attached to a British University.  A little disappointing, but never mind.

So internet here I come

Take care

Tony

[liverpool annie]

Here you go - University of Kent!!

http://iccs.arts.utas.edu.au/escape_participants.htm#_Robert_Grant

Annie 

[liverpool annie]

This is Freemantle - but may give you inspiration!!

http://www.fremantleprison.com.au/history/history9.cfm

Annie

[liverpool annie]

Tony!

William Henry BEASLEY - was he born in Coventry? do you know?

Annie 

[BAC3]

Good Evening Annie,

I was on the University of Kent site when you "called".   Unfortunately no way to raise Robert Grant direct by email (not that I can find anyway) BUT I have a Nephew (in law) who is beginning his Third Year there and he is going to use his Password etc. to give me the address.

The Fremantle Prison website is one I mentioned to you as being a "godsend" in terms of the 100 ex-Parkhurst juveniles transported to West Australia after 1850.   For sheer convict information it is probably the best site I have come across........ I have been able to unearth details for at least 50 of the juveniles.

William Henry Beasley.......he was sentenced at Newgate Quarter Sessions on 14/09/1838 and  was then aged 15.
But no Coventry connection I can see.   He is of interest, however, in that he was one of the first batch of 102 boys to be incarcerated at Parkhurst when it officially opened on 26/12/1838.

For now

Tony

[BAC3]

Afternoon Annie,

Managed to trace Robert Grant eventually......he was, or is, a Ph D student in the English Department at the University of Kent.   The Department has taken my email address and will ask him to contact me.

We shall have to see how things develop....thanks for confirming "University of Kent " yesterday.

Tony

[liverpool annie]

Hi Tony!

Good for you - getting through to him ! I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed!!
I was wondering about trying to get census information about "the boys" -  some of them did go home didn't they? or are you only interested in the ones that stayed?

Annie

[BAC3]

Hello Annie,

Robert Grant has got in touch with me.........he is a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies!!!   Now that could open so many doors, although there is a little voice saying something about chickens in a hatchery and counting!!!

One or two of the Parkhurst Boys did eventually return to England, especially those transported to Western Australia, but in every case I 've come across they returned to Australia.   Whatever information I can find post-transportation will be be invaluable.

However, your advice please, which has bearing on the last paragraph..............

There were quite a large number of the Parkhurst Boys released back into England, either because their sentences had expired or they were "on licence/probation".   Some of this information will be available at the National Archives, but that in itself is a difficult exercise......I wonder if you have any ideas on how I can trace some of these.  If you come back with the answer "impossible" you will echo my
thoughts precisely.

For now

Tony