Research Guides: Convicts: Life in the colony: Convict applications to bring out families Index, 1827–1873

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Convict applications to bring out families Index, 1827–1873

How to use Convict applications to bring out families to Van Diemen's Land (also NSW, VIC & WA) : index, 1827-1873

You can use Convict applications to bring out families to Van Diemen's Land (also NSW, VIC & WA) : index, 1827-1873 when in the Library. Can't come to the Library? Contact us.

How to find out about a convict's family

STEP 1

Search for your convict in Convict applications to bring out families index, 1827-1873 to find the names of their spouse and children.

Example of an entry in the index:

Convict’s Name & Ship	References	Spouse	Family & Other Details	Residence
AGNEW Henry ‘St Vincent’ 1836	Mar 1849 CO386/154 Reel 987 p51 NSW	Catherine SCULLIN nee AGNEW (41)	Adam (17) EDMOND (15) Janus? (13) per ‘Success’ 1849	Bellaghy Londonderry

STEP 2

Note down the details from the entry in particular the references as you will need this to find the original record.

STEP 3

Ask at the Special Collections desk in the Mitchell Library for help finding the original records.

Go to the resource

Convict applications to bring out families to Van Diemen's Land (also NSW, VIC & WA) : index, 1827-1873 [catalogue record]

Convict applications to bring out families to Van Diemen's Land (also NSW, VIC & WA) : index, 1827–1873 - [catalogue record | book]
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See if your convict applied to have their family brought out to Australia for free. You may find the names and ages of their spouse and children, where they lived in their home country, the name of the ship and year of departure.
Ask at the desk in the Special Collections area to see if we have the original records. Most of these records are held at the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office so you may need look there.

About

This resource indexes the official letters and other application records. Letters and applications often mention the names of a convict's spouse, their children or other family members. This index mainly covers Van Diemen's Land, but includes entries for New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

Did you know?

Convicts could apply to have their wives or families brought out to Australia at no cost.

Abbreviations

Refer to 'References to Convicts Applications' on page vii of the index to find the meanings of the abbreviations used in the references. This will help identify the original record.