Convict Guide - published 2006 - Manual / Resource - Page 108
Guide to New South Wales State archives relating to convicts and convict administration
Chapter 10: Death and Departure
10.1
Background to the records
Convict deaths
The death of a convict is sometimes noted on the convict indents and
that of those who died on the voyage out was recorded in the surgeons'
journals. Subsequently, although records of deaths were kept this was
not on a regular basis, prompting Macquarie to complain that before his
arrival no regular account of the death of convicts and settlers had been
kept. (HRA Vol.7, pp.615-6).
Register of convict
deaths
Macquarie issued orders on this subject and during his administration
and that of his successors matters improved. A Convict Death Register
(NRS 12213) was maintained for the years 1828-1879. It covered those
who died while under sentence. Records of deaths described in Chapter
9 should also be consulted.
Executions
Executions formed a special category and from 1802 were recorded in
the Sydney Gazette and later in the other colonial newspapers. State
Records holds records of the various gaols and the correspondence of
the Sheriff who was in charge of executions.
Adaptation to
colonial life
In the early years many convicts sought to return home after their
sentences had expired but attitudes changed as they became
accustomed to colonial life and appreciative of the opportunities it
offered. (Hirst, Convict Society, pp.137-8). The remembered conditions
of their former lives may further have reduced the desire to return
home. Once settled here and either reunited with families, or in the
process of starting new families, there was little inducement to leave.
With some exceptions such as the Tolpuddle Martyrs, the Government
gave no monetary assistance to time expired convicts for repatriation.
Able-bodied ex-convicts with requisite skills may have been able to work
their passage home but most would have found it impossible to afford
the passage.
Convict departures
10.2
Records of departures were not kept in the early years, but Macquarie
established a register of convict departures. (HRA Vol. 7, pp.615-6).
Later governors followed a similar practice but the statistical material
available is by no means complete.
Indexes to the records
TD Mutch: Card index to births, deaths and marriages, 1787–1957
is available at the State Library of New South Wales and at State
Records on microfilm Reels 2125-2129
Pioneer series of indexes to births, deaths and marriages, 1788–
1888 available on The New South Wales Registry of Births, Deaths
and Marriages website www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/
Index to the Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788–1825 *ARK and is
available on State Records' website
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to convicts and others,
1826–77 and ongoing. Compiled by Joan Reese
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to letters sent re
convicts, 1826–May 1855. Compiled by Joan Reese
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to letters sent to the
Sheriff, 1828-50. Compiled by Convict Connections
State Records Authority of New South Wales
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