Hi Trish, I agree with you. None of my ancestors appear to have had their crimes downgraded. As I said in an earlier post they were charged and sentenced for smuggling, horse theft and highway robbery. If these were the downgraded charges I hate to think what they really did!! On the other hand some of the sentences handed down to some of my ancestors appear very harsh. Sarah Donnelly, Mary Anne 1791, 7 years transportation for stealing 3 pieces of ribbon. Mary Stoker, Indispensable 1796, 7 years transportation for stealing 2 yds printed cotton. Maybe the judges wanted to balance up the population of the new colony!! Cheers Tom ----- Original Message ----- From: "tsymonds" <psym8950@bigpond.net.au> To: <aus-convicts@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 11:36 AM Subject: Re: [AUS-CON] Truth in Sentencing > > > Thanks to everyone who has offered comments into the crimes committed and > sentences received. I can understand the sentences handed down for the > crimes committed were often harsh.