Convict lists
Lists of convicts on each transport ship are the best place to start if you are beginning your research. If your ancestor was a convict, their name is most likely to be found in one of the convict lists.
Search the date ranges which correspond to a convict's approximate date of arrival in Australia. If you are unsure of an approximate date of arrival you will need to search all date ranges.
| Resource | Type |
|---|---|
Convict arrivals, 1788-1842Lists of convicts arriving in New South Wales. Information includes the convict's name, date and place of trial and sentence. In some cases, native place, age, trade or calling, crime, previous convictions, religion, marital status and work assignment are also included. Available at the State Library or State Records NSW Community Access Points | microform |
Convict transportation registers database, 1787-1867Details of over 123 000 of the estimated 160 000 convicts transported to Australia between 1787 and 1867 — including the sentence, transport ship and date of departure. Covers convicts sent to New South Wales, Van Diemen's Land, Moreton Bay, Port Phillip, Western Australia and Norfolk Island. | website |
Index to convict exiles, 1846-1850Lists of British prisoners who were exiled to New South Wales after the 'official' end of convict transportation. Information includes the convict's name, date and place of trial, sentence, date and ship of arrival. In some cases, a Ticket of Leave district may be given. | website |
Index to probationary convicts to Sydney and Moreton Bay, 1849-1850Lists of probationary convicts who arrived in Sydney and Moreton Bay, after the 'official' end of convict transportation. Information includes name, age, ship, date and place of trial, sentence and, sometimes, crime (usually only included for the Irish probationary convicts) and alias. Available at the State Library or try your local public library | microform |
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