Federation Of Family History Societies

British Convict Transportation Registers

The State Library of Queensland has just re-released the British Convict Transportation Registers Database (over 123,000 convicts sent to Australia between 1787 and 1867).

The original underlying software has been changed as it did not cope adequately with the amount of traffic experienced - the new system is much better equipped to cope with demand.

A new feature of the database is the ability for researchers to post comments on a chosen convict’s record. This comment field is a great way for researchers to share their notes on a convict’s life.

www.slq.qld.gov.au/info/fh/convicts

To write a comment simply find your convict on the database, click on the link under “Don’t have a login?” and then signup for a “One Search Guest” account.

Example of a comment written:

"Thomas Dowse was born in Hackney, London in 1809. In 1824, at the age of 15 he was convicted at the Old Bailey for theft and sentenced to death, which was later commuted to transportation for life. He spent the next few years onboard English hulks (the Bellerophon and the Euryalus) awaiting transportation. In January 1828 he arrived in New South Wales onboard the convict transport Florentia. After receiving his pardon he made his way to Moreton Bay . Between 1862 and 1869 he became Town of Clerk of Brisbane . Thomas died on 9 November 1885 and is buried in Toowong Cemetery."

Dates of conviction are continuing to be added to each record - this will be an ongoing project.

Philippa McCray
Administrator (Acting)

7 May 2009