Work assignments
Was your convict assigned to work on arrival in Australia? Search the records which correspond with the dates that your convict was likely to be assigned to work (if you are unsure, use the date of your convict's sentence or date of arrival in Australia as a starting point). Remember that your convict may be found in more than one resource.
| Resource | Type |
|---|---|
Convict arrivals, 1788-1842Lists of convicts arriving in New South Wales. Along with personal details, indents may include a convict's trade or calling, their employer or the work assignments received when they arrived in the colony. Available at the State Library or State Records NSW Community Access Points | microform |
Index to convict exiles, 1846-50Lists 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 |
Assignment registers, 1788–1855A list of convict assignment registers and other employment lists. These resources may provide occupation, employment or assignment details. Available at the State Library or try your local public library | website/ microform/ print |
Musters and census records, 1788–1837Information includes convict's name, age and ship of arrival. In some cases, a convict's religion, employer's name and residence, and status (free, convict, Ticket of Leave, pardon etc) is also provided. Available at the State Library or try your local public library | |
Convict musters, NSW & Tasmania, 1806-1849Muster and convict lists for New South Wales (1806, 1811, 1822-1825, 1837) and Tasmania (1808-1849) on Ancestry Library Edition. Information varies but may include the convict’s age, ship and year of arrival, date and place of their trial, their sentence and their employer’s name. Available at the State Library or try your local public library | database |
Female Factory Parramatta index, 1826–1848Records of female convicts and their children in the Female Factory at Parramatta which acted as a workhouse, gaol and holding area for newly arrived convicts. Available at the State Library or try your local public library | microform |
Colonial Secretary's papers, 1788–1825Letters to and from the Colonial Secretary and official records kept by the Colonial Secretary at the time. Letters and records may contain information about a convict's employment. Available at the State Library or State Records NSW Community Access Points | website/ microform |
Colonial Secretary's correspondence, 1826-1877Letters from the Colonial Secretary which may include information on a convict's work assignment. Available at the State Library or try your local public library | microform |
Tickets of leave, 1810–1875Information includes the convict's name, date and place of trial, prisoner's number, date of birth, native place, ship and date of arrival, district and physical characteristics such as eye, hair and complexion colour and height. May provide clues as to how a convict was employed. Available at the State Library or State Records NSW Community Access Points | website/ microform |
Index to tickets of exemption, 1827-1832Information includes details of a convict's employer or the person to whom the convict was assigned. Also includes a convict's physical description and other identifying details (name, ship and date of arrival). | website |
Index to tickets of leave passports, 1835-1869Records of convicts who were granted rights to travel between certain points or to visit markets. Usually contain information about the reason for the passport's issue, Ticket of Leave number and information about the convict's trial, sentence and arrival. | website |
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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