Archive for category Australian History

During the 80 or so years when the UK shipped off its convicts to its colonies in the 18th and 19th Centuries, more than 165,000 were transported to Australia (initially known as New Holland) to found new penal settlements. For a long time Australians felt embarrassed to admit of a convict past, but now-days most are more likely to boast about such a colourful heritage. Besides, most convicts were transported to Australia for petty crimes, committed in hard times, such as a stolen loaf of bread or ribbon. In those days more serious crimes – 222 crimes were listed and included offences like cutting down someone else’s tree – led to the death by hanging.

So it is with great interest that Australians will be looking at the new information now available at the British national Archives and online at the Ancestry website: www.ancestry.co.uk. For the first time both are making new information regarding convicts’ actual convictions availble online. This should make for fascinating geneological research. Especially for those whose anscestors went on to become crucial to the successes of the new Australian settlements.

Click here to read more about the internet availability about your ancestors convictions.

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