Convict research - Brilliant Index

[spison]

Hi all,

I was directed to this book in the NLA. It's worth finding to locate those difficult to find 'things' about your convict. It is an extremely comprehensive index of where to locate the many and varied references to convicts. It was compiled by State Records NSW and published in 2006:

Guide to NSW State Archives Relating to Convicts and Convict Administration.

It contains many sections but by careful reading of each section you can easily locate not only NSW records but the Mitchell Library and the AJCP records - which beats reading through the AJCP Indexes. You can see at a glance whether there is a Surgeon's Report for your ship.

[For Example: Using the convict ship of arrival, one of the indexes directed me to the exact AJCP reel containing the Hulk records for the 'Earl Cornwallis' and I found my man almost immediately. In my particular case the hulk record for 1799 was located in Treasury documents! (I know I may just have been lucky that he was there.)]

Please don't tell me the wretched thing is online or you all already knew about it! I was impressed.

Jane

[JillianR]

Hi Jane

Thanks for this. I've joined the convict interest group at Wyong Family History Group and I'll pass this on. I can tell you though that WFHG has just purchased the complete set of films of the existing Surgeon's records for convict ships. Saves travelling to Sydney to see them.

Can anyone tell me please where I can find the records for the families of convicts applying to come to Australia, or applications by convicts for their families to join them? The convict in question didn't arrive until 1849.

thanks
Jillian

[spison]

Can anyone tell me please where I can find the records for the families of convicts applying to come to Australia, or applications by convicts for their families to join them? The convict in question didn't arrive until 1849. Jillian

If they're English I can't help although the information may very well be indexed in the abovementioned tome - I'll look at the images I photographed and get back to you if I find anything.

If they're Irish they could be mentioned in the "Irish Gift", which again I've only used at the NLA (which is a b****y long way to go - I know) but is searchable online. I've only ever used it at the NLA as it's new to me as I've only just discovered its existence. Many of the records pre-1822 were destroyed in the Courts Fire so its possible you may get something from 1849.

http://www.nationalarchives.ie/topic.../search01.html

Jane

[Geoffers]

I'm not suggesting that you actually get a cheap day return to Kew - but this research guide mentions transportation and the TNA references for the classes of documents which relate to applications from wives to accompany husbands. This may at least give you something to look for and ask if it has been copied to microfilm in your part of the world.

If it helps, the surgeons records held by TNA in document class ADM101 are being indexed and these indexed records can be searched via TNA's catalogue - enter a surname in the word or phrase field, limit the year range if possible and in the department or series code enter ADM101.

[Kerrywood]

Thanks for posting what looks like a very useful resource.

Please don't tell me the wretched thing is online or you all already knew about it!

I certainly didn't know about it before. But thanks to your post I've found two Appendices/Indexes online, courtesy of NSW State Archives (pdf files).

Convict Ships to NSW

Convict Ships to VDL

Are these the ones you've been looking at in hard copy? They may be helpful for those of us without access to the Archives.

[JillianR]

Thanks Jane and Geoffers, this is proving very interesting. He was Irish, Jane. I'll start a thread later perhaps when I'm truly stuck.

[spison]

But thanks to your post I've found two Appendices/Indexes online, courtesy of NSW State Archives (pdf files).

Convict Ships to NSW

Convict Ships to VDL

Are these the ones you've been looking at in hard copy? They may be helpful for those of us without access to the Archives.

"I asked you not to tell me that, Chief"

Yes Kerrywood, These are two of the appendices from the book but the hard copy includes far more references and sections than the two you've found online. Someone has done a monumental amount of work! To quote from my notes:

"Section 1.7 Records of Convicts Sent to Port Jackson from other Colonies and Penal Settlements."
Note. Convicts from South Australia and Western Australia are included in Appendix I.
... VAN DIEMEN"S LAND: Convicts transferred or Transported from:
a) To Sydney 1826 - 1839
b) To Norfolk Island 1826 - 1840
See Appendix II and Chapter 16 (my bolding)"

By looking at the on-line indexes you have included, anyone in Australia can find the ARK fiche pretty much anywhere in Australia.
If you can get to the NLA or Western Sydney Records then you can immediately request that film/document or order the AJCP on inter-library loan.
If you are OS or unable to get to Sydney or Canberra (or any other State library) then you can order images from the actual references given.

The book doesn't include "The Colonial Secretary's Correspondence" which, if you're lucky will actually have a reference to your particular man/woman. It may include free people as well as convicts. Only the first section (1788-1825) has been listed on-line at:

http://colsec.records.nsw.gov.au/ind...ec/default.htm

As I said brilliant!

Jane