Dear Lyn, Loved reading your story. For the thousands who did survive the trip to OZ - it was almost like a gift. Like you say - they would not have survived the tough times in England. Australia has these convicts as the backbone of the country. Jane in CA In a message dated 7/15/2008 5:55:55 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, gerryandlyn@dodo.com.au writes: I once read some where that it was a three strikes and you're transported situation. It certainly fits with my family convict. On my g g grandfather's indent it was noted that he was "of idle drunken bad character, indifferent disposition, connected with thieves and prostitutes, connections very bad". He was first conviction was being in "a brawl", the second for "stealing buttons". Both gave him 12 months hard labour in Wakefield prison in Yorkshire. His third conviction for stealing lead sheeting was the one that got him transported to Australia. Here, he was given a second chance. He managed to fall in love and marry, went on to father 10 children who married and multiplied profusely themselves, became a respected member of society and ended up living to the ripe old age of 89. He was also fortunate in that the Ship's surgeon on the Earl Grey, the ship that he was transported on, Colin Arnett Browning, was a deeply religious man, way ahead of his time, who believed in the basic good in all men and who endeavoured to ensure that all "his" convicts were given the opportunity discover God as well as teaching them to read and write on the voyage to Australia. I am not religious but firmly believe that Brown offered the men hope as well as education. (I am actually hoping to do a follow up on the convicts of the Earl Grey "one day". Need to do a Tassie trip for that though.) England in 1842 was not a nice place for most of the "common folk". Life was harsh, conditions very poor. Cities were cramped, cholera epidemics running rife, unemployment high, morale very low. Things were very, very grim. My g g grandfather was a Nottingham lad who was made a ward of the Parish at 9 years of age. He was only 5'3" in height indicating that he probably wasn't well nourished during his early years. I have no doubt in my mind that had he not been sent to Australia he would have died very young in very destitute circumstances. Over the years I've got to know him very well. LOL! Of course, family lore never mentioned his convict history. Instead I grew up being spun a yarn about a Methodist Minister who came to Aus to spread the good word :) Lyn in NSW ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to AUS-CONVICTS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message **************Get the scoop on last night's hottest shows and the live music scene in your area - Check out TourTracker.com! (http://www.tourtracker.com?NCID=aolmus00050000000112)