Introduction
The Australia of today, along with the spirit
of its people, was created mainly by convicts transported from
England. The European settlement of Australia was established
by British convicts, along with British marines and their
families, in 1788.
Late eighteenth century London, with a population of over 950,000,
was rife with crime. The streets were filled with hawkers,
horse drawn vehicles, sewage, beggars, pickpockets, prostitutes.
Death and disease were rampant.
Convict
transportation to
America had ended after
Engand's defeat in the American Revolutionary
War. England's
convicts
were held on
floating prison
ships known as
hulks.
Britain made the decision to send her
convicts to New Holland, recently discovered by Captain Cook (1770). The
First Fleet comprising 775 convicts,
along with
marines, ships crews and officials and their families
arrived in New Holland (Australia) in
1788.
On 26th January 1788 settlement in Sydney
Cove began. The second fleet arrived in 1790 and 1791 and 1793 saw
the first free settlers arrive. Between 1788 and the end of convict
transportation to Australia, in 1853, more than 152,000 convicts
were sent to New Holland.
Life was very harsh for the convicts, forced to work 10 to 14 hours
per day, often in leg irons. Food was scarce. They endured floods,
droughts, fires and conflict with the aboriginal peoples.
The convicts established the beautiful country in which we now live
and this website is maintained in an endeavour to record their
stories. Many Australians are descended from convicts and it is
hoped that may trace their history through these pages.
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A Letter to my Ancestors
'Twas some years ago that I began to learn about your lives,
your trials and tribulations, your siblings, husbands and wives.
You were but shadows in the past, your faces were unknown but now you are reality - your persona now is shown.
Slowly through those years your stories did unfold and now with love and tenderness they are ready to be told.
As I uncovered secrets you may have wished to hide,
I learned they were a part of you and I tell them now with pride.
In conclusion my dear ancestors, I would like to say,
If it was not for your strength and courage I'd not be here today.
....Pamela R Chismon
(author of The Devonshires From Cornwall)