Welcome!
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The Female Convicts Research Centre promotes interest in the female convicts of Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), by encouraging and facilitating research. From 1803 to 1853, 13,500 female convicts were transported to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), as punishment for crimes, mainly theft. After serving their sentences they were released into the community. Their transportation left a lasting legacy. The Female Convicts Research Centre encourages research into these female convicts, mainly through its database, website and seminars. When you register with the FCRC, you gain access to our database where you will find information entered by our volunteers as we attempt to reconstruct the life course of each female convict. We update this website and our database regularly and sometimes daily, as our volunteer transcribers continue to provide new information. Please bookmark this page and return soon.
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Latest News:
Season’s Greetings
On behalf of the Female Convicts Research Centre Inc.,
I thank you for your continued interest and support
during what has been a difficult and uncertain year.
I would particularly like to thank our many volunteers,
spread as they are all over the world.
Without their commitment and dedication,
this year would have been even more difficult.
For many, our shared research has provided
an escape from the difficult times.
I wish you all the very best for 2021.
Dr Dianne Snowden AM
President
Female Convicts Research Centre Inc.
FCRC Seminar, Sunday, 2nd May, 2021
Topic: The Early Years 1803-1828
The program and registration for the next FCRC Seminar will be available 2nd February 2021. Location is the Hobart Town Hall.
Newly Digitised Items at Tasmanian Archives
Newly digitised updates from the Tasmanian Archives and State Library heritage collections are now available via their blog. Items featured on the blog are also available to view via their Newly Digitised Items webpage, this will be trialled for the next 3-6 months to find out which format works best.
Tasmanian Archives welcome any feedback you might have, helping to preserve and provide access to these wonderful collections.
Digitisation Services
Government Archives & Preservation Collections | Libraries Tasmania
91 Murray Street | Hobart | Tasmania | 7000
Ph (03) 6165 5587 www.libraries.tas.gov.au
Latest Blogs:
- Transcribing Tasmanian Convict Records by Susan Hood
- The baskets of Isabella Hutchinson.
- Paupers and York Poor Law Union, 1837-42
- Family and Community Historical Research Society
- Our Criminal Ancestors
- Clements Hall Local History Group
- The Morley's arrival in Hobart Town 200 years ago.
- The Local Historian. Journal of the British Association of Local History
View all Blog Posts
Save The Dates:
| 2020 | Cancelled | FCRC's 2020 Seminar |
| 2021 | 2nd May | FCRC's 2021 Seminar: The Early Years. |
Recent Updates
Convict Stories:
- SMITH, Jane per Sea Queen 1846. By E. Crawford and Don Bradmore (19/01/2021)
- CHADWICK, Elizabeth per Sea Queen. By Don Bradmore (13/12/2020)
- SMITH, Mary per Eliza 1830. By Don Bradmore (6/12/2020)
- GRADY, Jane per Emma Eugenia (3) 1844. By Don Bradmore (29/11/2020).
- BECK, Ann per Sea Queen 1846, A Journey to New Norfolk Asylum. By Stephanie McComb (26/11/2020)
- ROONEY, Sarah, per Mexborough 1841. By Don Bradmore (8/11/2020).
- WOODS, Jane per Duke of Cornwall, 1850. By Don Bradmore (15/10/2020)
Convict Ships:
Ships - Catherine 1814 - Transcript of the ship's muster list into NSW cross-matched against ships to VDL, and the FCRC database. (by Rhonda Arthur 2/12/2020).
Ships - Broxbornebury 1814 - Transcript of the ship's muster list into NSW cross-matched against ships to VDL, and the Emu 1811. (by Rhonda Arthur 25/11/2020).
Ships - Mermaid 1828 - Transcript of Surgeons Journal (Transcribed by Colleen Arulappu 12/11/2020). On getting underway there were unfavourable winds with several severe frosts and snow storms. Constant attention was paid to cleanliness, ventilation and dryness between decks. The hanging stove was moved where it was needed most, especially the hospital located in the bow of the ship, and damp from leaks particularly in bad weather. Two cases of scurvy quickly recovered by taking lemon juice. Ninety-nine women and eighteen children landed generally in good health. Though one infant born mid-voyage became extremely emaciated and for want of proper nourishment was sent to the Colonial Hospital on arrival ‘the only chance of saving him’.
Born at Sea - A new page researching the daunting prospect facing many convict women giving birth at sea. Researched and written by Rhonda Arthur (26/10/2020).
Other Updates:
Seminar Papers - Tales of the unexpected (Spring 2017): Bodies from the grave by Leonie Mickelborough.
Employees profile - Samuel and Catherine Johnston, Launceston Hiring Depot. (6/11/2020)
Petitions - Harriet Martin per Tory 1845 (transcription courtesy of Rhonda Arthur 22/09/2020)
Punishments - Wash Tub (5/01/2021) Relocation/Removal to the Interior, Macquarie Harbour (12/11/2020), Admonishment and Reprimand (29/10/2020); Returned to Government (15/10/2020); Hard Labour, Bread & Water (15/09/2020);