The voyage out to Australia
In order to search records of a convict's voyage out to Australia, you will need to know their date of arrival and the name of the ship they arrived on - Not sure of the date of arrival and ship's name?
Select the records which correspond to your convict's likely dates of arrival in Australia. Where there is overlap in dates we recommend you search all resources to find all available details of your convict's voyage.
| Resource | Type |
|---|---|
Musters and other papers relating to convict ships, 1790–1849Lists of a ship's population at time of embarkation or disembarkation. Usually consists of lists of convicts' names and sentences, but may also include reports on behaviour, lists of free settlers and memoranda regarding convicts' families. Available at the State Library or State Records NSW Community Access Points | microform |
Log of logs - covers entire convict eraA published guide to ships' logs held in institutions around Australia. Information includes ship type, voyages made, surviving logs for those voyages and where these are held. Available at the State Library or try your local public library | |
Surgeons' journals, 1788–1856Convict medical records from the voyage out to Australia. Available at the State Library or try your local public library | microform |
Ships card index - covers entire convict eraAn index to surviving records relating to ships and voyages, held in the Mitchell Library. Records indexed include information about those on board, events at sea and life on board the ship. Only available at the State Library | |
The Convict Ships, 1787–1868This book by Charles Bateson includes appendices listing ship departure and arrival dates, personnel on convict ships and other useful information about the ship on which your convict was transported. Available at the State Library or try your local public library | |
Convicts on the First FleetAn overview of the First Fleet, as well as, a list of introductory books and websites. Some of these resources include biographical information, listing many of the convicts on the First Fleet. Available at the State Library or try your local public library | website/ print |
Convicts on the Second FleetAn overview of the Second Fleet, as well as, a list of introductory books and websites. Some of these resources include biographical information, listing many of the convicts on the Second Fleet. Available at the State Library or try your local public library | website/ print |
Our cataloguesUse these catalogues to find a large variety of original materials, covering convicts and convict life in Australia. | database/ print |
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