A studio photograph, dated 1880s, of Tasmanian convict Bill Thompson, in convict uniform and leg irons. By the time this photograph was taken, Britain had already stopped transporting convicts (in 1868). Visiting Port Arthur really drives home how horrific the conditions for convicts were. I still can’t understand the mentality of Georgian (and later Victorian) England where…

Irish women and children were transported as convicts to Tasmania in Australia as punishment for small crimes. Australian convict transportation on the John Calvin ship in 1848. Learn their story here.

to plough Van Diemen's Land

A selection of portrait photos from our collection of early Tasmanian gaol records (1860-1902).

1788:Map of Sydney Cove and Convict Ships of the First Fleet.

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Australian Cannibals 1883

One of our #Australian clients wanted to learn more about an #ancestor who was convicted of pickpocketing in #England in the 1820s and sent to the #Australian penal #colonies. Using #record collections and clues drawn from #historical and #social context, we unlock the truth behind family lore. #ancestry #genealogy #familyhistory #familytree #convict #prisonhulk #convictship

IT WAS a time when Australia was one of the most tattooed nations in the world and the male female convicts arriving in the penal colonies were heavily inked with symbols that had secret meanings and codes.