Hullo List and Trish. Trish I have 11 convicts 4 were given the death sentence, this was later commuted to life in one case and 7 years in the other 3. On 3 different documents regarding one of them, his sentence was recorded different each time. One of my females was given 14 years for a paltry theft, whilst her future husband was given 7 years for a major theft. My youngest convict was 12 the eldest 40 years. Their year range for convictions was 1790 to 1837. Only two of them were from the same area. Jen.

Hi all One thing you have to take into consideration is how many previous convictions the convict may have had. Some crimes may appear to be paltry for the sentence received, but it may have been their 2nd or 3rd offence ( or more) Regards Lesley Uebel mailto:ckennedy@bigpond.net.au CLAIM A CONVICT http://users.bigpond.net.au/convicts/index.html -----Original Message----- From: aus-convicts-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:aus-convicts-bounces@rootsweb.com]On Behalf Of Janese Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 10:42 PM To: aus-convicts@rootsweb.com Subject: [AUS-CON] Convict Sentencing Hullo List and Trish. Trish I have 11 convicts 4 were given the death sentence, this was later commuted to life in one case and 7 years in the other 3. On 3 different documents regarding one of them, his sentence was recorded different each time. One of my females was given 14 years for a paltry theft, whilst her future husband was given 7 years for a major theft. My youngest convict was 12 the eldest 40 years. Their year range for convictions was 1790 to 1837. Only two of them were from the same area. Jen.

Hi All, I agree there was no rhyme or reason in the sentences handed down. Three of my convict ancestors had death sentences but all were commuted to varying terms of transportation Edward Shoesmith, Claudine 1829 was convicted of smuggling and transported for 14 years but received his TOL in 1838 and conditional pardon in 1845. John Smith, Shipley 1817 was convicted of horse theft and transported for 7 years but received his COF in 1823 James Elphick, Mangles 1837 was convicted of highway robery and transported for life but received his TOL in 1846. On the other hand Simon Freebody, Surprise 1890 was convicted of stealing a dead lamb and was transported for 7 years. He served his full sentence!! I guess it all depended on whether the judge was having a good day!! Not much has changed!! Cheers Tom