Convicts: Bound for Australia

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are kindly advised that this website includes images, sounds and names of people who have passed.

All users should be aware that some topics or historical content may be culturally sensitive, offensive or distressing, and that some images may contain nudity or are of people not yet identified. Certain words, terms or descriptions may reflect the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written, but are now considered inappropriate in today's context.

Key to library resources

Access anywhere with a library card In the Library (or anywhere with a Library card for NSW residents)
Available to access in the library Only in the Library
Publicly available online Publicly available

Trial & court records

Resources

Did you know?

While many crimes were capital offences not all received a death sentence.

Many convicts pleaded for mercy and were pardoned on the condition of transportation to Australia.

What are assizes?

Assizes, or Courts of Assize, were periodical courts held across England and Wales for both civil and criminal cases.

They were held during Lent and Summer.

 

The Old Bailey

Nearly 1 in 5 of the convicts sent to Australia were tried at the Old Bailey in London.

The Proceedings of the Old Bailey were published for a public (not just legal) audience and contain summaries of the trials, including the charge, sworn testimony for the prosecution, the prisoner's defence and the outcome of the trial.

The Session records of the Old Bailey cover counties not included in the proceedings but contain less information about the accused and the offence.