Sentences were typically to be transported for a period of seven or fourteen years. In many (most?) cases, families were split asunder, fathers (most transportees were men) never again seeing their children or wives. Until transportation took place, prisoners were "housed" in prison hulks like the one pictured above. Hulks were basically old warships left to rot in estuaries outside larger coastal cities. People often spent several months on board before being transported, assuming that they survived that long.

With the loss of the American colonies, Australia became the destination of choice for the authorities. Thousands of men were sent from the UK over roughly 60 years. It was a very tough, 15,000 mile voyage and many didn't make it to Australia. After serving their time, many of the survivors became pillars of the community in the growing colony and contributed hugely to the Aussie spirit. I believe it has been estimated that 80% of Australians can now count a convict among their ancestors. Indeed, having a convict ancestor gives many Aussies a social cachet, thereby enabling them to distinguish themselves from relative newcomers, perhaps implying that the latter aren't yet real Australians. With a keen sense of irony towards both family historians who seek royal ancestry and the system which sent them there, the Aussies now call convict ancestors, "Aussie royalty".

With that in mind, correspondent Deirdre from Victoria, Australia has recently compiled for us a list of convicts named HOUSE, HOWES and HOWSE sent to Tasmania in the 1800s. Can you identify anyone on the list? If so, let us know and we will post a link to their information page, as we have already done for George Howes from Cawston in Norfolk, a Swing Rioter.

One final note, we have been sent more material on George Howes and will post a separate piece about him.

OK, I lied! In case it's not apparent, I'm no historian! This is only what I think I know. If you can help me improve on it, please do get in touch.

Detail

Paul Howes, July 2011