For the past 8 years the Liverpool & South West Lancashire Family History Society have been working with The Female Convicts Research Centre in Tasmania researching the backgrounds of women prior to their transportation.  This includes their family, their background, their baptism, where they lived and any census records.  Also, obviously their criminal records, where they were tried and any newspaper reports about the trial. 

We got together a small team of volunteers who were eager to do this and had either computer access at home or at their local library.

From 1803 to 1853, 12,500 female convicts were transported to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), as punishment for crimes, some major and some very minor. After serving their sentences, they were released into the community. Their transportation left a lasting legacy.

Currently we have found the backgrounds of over 3,000 of these women and girls.  Each of them has a story to tell. We aim to remember them all, to give them back a voice.

We are always looking for more help and if you are currently at a brick wall with your own research, or would just like to join our team please let me know.  There is no pressure on anyone, everyone just does what they want to do when they want to do it and all of our volunteer support each other on what they are doing.

PAT BELLAS

Project Coordinator

Liverpool & South West Lancashire Family History Society