So you think you may have a few convict
skeletons in the family closet?
You are one of the lucky ones!!
What was once considered a shameful association to be covered up at all
costs is now, for most with Australian ancestry, a source of pride. Convict
ancestry, if discovered in your family tree, can open up a whole new world
for the novice genealogist.
Documentation, generally, has valuable additions to what you may find from a
birth, death or marriage certificate. Details, in particular distinguishing
physical characteristics, are noted on certain records. Court reports, if
discovered, will also be the source of a
wealth of information on that 'infamous' ancestor. And let's be fair on
these people, they were not all murderers, rapists and professional
burglars. Many were 'transported' for petty crimes such as stealing a loaf
of bread or a handkerchief. Life was harsh back then, and if you were poor
it was often a choice of steal or starve.
Transportation was 7 years for the stealing of goods worth less than a
shilling (about $50 in todays value), and then upwards to 14 years or life
for other crimes. The 'System', as it was called, lasted for 90 years and in
that time approximately 165,000 men and women and, incredibly, *children,
were sent to Australia from Britain. Once their time was served they could
return to their homeland or, as was the case with most, get their Ticket of
Leave and be absorbed into the colonial society as free citizens. Many, in
fact, did go
on to become leading members of the community and well respected.
One in five of those transported were women and, unlike the men, it was
usually on the first offence that this punishment was meted out.
WHY?
The question inevitably arises - why was the 'System' necessary in the first
place? For the answer to that we need to understand what life was like back
then in Britain, and a good place to start is the city of London. The
largest city, London was representative of many cities all over Britain at
that time, only worse because of its size and rapid population increase.
Between 1750 and 1850 the population tripled. This explosion was fueled by
the 'Enclosure System" which forced many people off the land. The Lord of
the Manor owned all that the peasants produced - houses, animals, food and
in return they were allowed to work their own strip of land. As populations
increased, there were less strips to go around until eventually all the land
was combined and 'enclosed' by fences or hedges and farmed as one piece of
land.
In the cities poverty was rife and in consequence so was crime. There was a
belief at the time in a criminal class from which it was thought the
criminal 'mentality' could be passed on to others. Initially these
'criminals' were sent to **America and the Caribbean until
the American Revolution. Up till then free settlers bought these indentured
labourers, so unlike the Australian 'experiment' this solution had more
economic merit, because as soon as the felons stepped ashore they ceased
costing England a farthing.
Prisons were hopelessly overcrowded in Britain, therefore, prisoners had to
be placed in 'hulks', which were old rotting ships moored at the docks.
Extra prisoners were arriving at the rate of 1000 per year so this
'solution' was quickly becoming unmanageable. Australia solved the problem
beautifully as a destination for transportees. The overcrowded prisons were
freed up and there was virtually unlimited labour for the new colony.
The 'experiment' failed in respect of the hoped for 'purification' of
Britain because the problem lay within the society, not the criminal. It did
succeed however, in colonising Australia much quicker than would have
happened otherwise.
*The youngest boy was John Hudson, aged 9.
Elizabeth Hayward, at 13, was the youngest girl.
**Over 60 years, 40000 men and women from Great Britain and Ireland were
transported.
Wayne Thomas has a website to help beginners with their 'family mystery' at
www.new2-geaneology.com
Article Source:
http://www.searchwhateveraustralia.com.au/articles.html |