Category Archives: convicts

From Convict to Landowner: The Journey of an Irishman in Australia

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Sydney Cove August 1837 I spent some time researching Owen Tunny and his family when I thought he was my great-great grandfather. I now know he is not, but his son raised my grandfather, and after all my research into him and his family, I’ve grown fond of him. He was the first convict I researched, and I found myself wondering what it must have been like for him. Here’s a story of his arrival. The Calcutta II, loaded with … Continue reading

Convict tattoos

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It was quite a few years ago that I first encountered the Irish convict, James Harrison. He was found guilty of stealing copper and sentenced to seven years transportation to Australia. On his arrival in 1823, along with other details, his convict indent recorded that he had several tattoos. There was a crucifix, ‘1801’ and the words ‘man and woman’ on his right arm. On his left arm were the words hope and soldier and the picture of a woman, … Continue reading

Serendipity and Genealogy.

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My husband and I went to The National Archives (TNA), Kew, London, several years ago as part of a visit to the United Kingdom. My husband had several documents to review, but I was unsure what I would do. It suddenly struck me I could look for documents on my only convict, Robert Bland. Robert is not my blood relative but married my great-great-grandmother, Ann Porter. I already had the court documents from Scotland, so what else could I find … Continue reading

Strong women.

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A few months ago, I accompanied my family to watch the exciting soccer match between the Matildas and France and subsequently followed the final games of the Women’s World Cup. I discovered and read an article about the Danish player Nadia Nadim. What an extraordinary young woman!  However, it’s not my purpose here to explain her story, you can seek it out if you enjoy reading about strong women.  I will tell you that Nadia certainly grabbed at chances that … Continue reading

Ann Simmons – the gift of resilience.

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My three times great grandmother Ann Simmons had an extensive charge sheet long before she was transported to Van Diemen’s Land in 1822 for larceny.[1] Without proof of a birth date or who her parents were, Ann was likely born between 1793 and 1795 in London around Southgate, an assumption based on the location of future events. This put her at 14 years in 1807 when she was brought to the Old Bailey to face charges for stealing 14 yards … Continue reading