Convicts: Life in the colony

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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

Index to colonial convict movements, 1827 - 1853

How to use Index to colonial convict movements, 1827-1853

Only in the Library You can use Index to colonial convict movements, 1827-1853 when you are in the Library. Can't come to the Library? Contact us.

How to find out about the gaol or settlement a convict was sent to

STEP 1

Make a booking at the Family history desk (Lower Ground 2 of the Governor Marie Bashir Reading Room) to use the Index to colonial convict movements on CD-ROM.

STEP 2

Visit the eresources browse page to run the Index to Colonial Convict Movements 1827 to 1853 CD.

STEP 3

Click 'Find database' and enter "Index to Colonial Convict Movements 1827 to 1853" (with the quotation marks). This will direct you to an information page about the index.

STEP 4

Click 'Go Straight to the Index' to run the index. The index is arranged alphabetically by last name.

STEP 5

Click the letter at the top of the page that corresponds to the last name of the convict. This will take you to a list of all convicts whose last name begins with that letter.

STEP 6

Click the convict's name to view the full index entry.

STEP 7

Use the details from the entry to locate the original record at State Archives & Records NSW. The record will be part of the Colonial Secretary's Correspondence.

About the index

This index covers convict movements in the colony of New South Wales (encompassing what is now New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria) of nearly 10,000 convicts for the period 1827 to 1853. It includes both convicts transported from England or English colonies, as well as colonial convicts.

What is a colonial convict?

Colonial convicts were those persons who were born in the colony and committed an offence, or others who came free and subsequently committed an offence, or those convicts who had served their sentences and then re-offended.