Hello, I've been researching my GGGG Grandfather John WISHART who was transported aboard the Bengal Merchant in 1838, arriving in NSW in July of that year. To date I've quite a bit of information about him up until that point, and again in 1844 when he was granted a certificate of freedom, after which he disappears completely from any further records. I'm interested in finding out a little more about his time in Australia between 1838 and 1844, and wondered if Joan Reese's 'Colonial Secretary' indexes might provide any further clues as to his life, and if so, would anybody know where I might be able to view these here in the UK (I'm near London). Thanks in advance for any advice. Scott

Hi He did receive a Ticket of Leave so that will give provide you with his location at that time. He didn't apply for permission to marry...... not that it would have been approved anyway as he was transported for bigamy. There are many entries for John Wishart in the AGCI Vol 2 CS NSW Government Gazettes 1832 - 1863 and whilst a few of these entries may refer to him, I doubt if they all do. I take it that you have not found his death as yet ?? Joan's microfiche may provide more information, but you would have to check to see if it is available in any of the libraries in the UK. It is an Index only but provides the details required to obtain the full records from the State Records of NSW. Unfortunately many convict records no longer exist in NSW due to a fire and some just destroyed :( 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 "Scott Wishart" Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 8:49 AM To: AUS-CONVICTS@rootsweb.com Subject: [AUS-CON] John WISHART - Bengal Merchant 1838 Hello, I've been researching my GGGG Grandfather John WISHART who was transported aboard the Bengal Merchant in 1838, arriving in NSW in July of that year. To date I've quite a bit of information about him up until that point, and again in 1844 when he was granted a certificate of freedom, after which he disappears completely from any further records. I'm interested in finding out a little more about his time in Australia between 1838 and 1844, and wondered if Joan Reese's 'Colonial Secretary' indexes might provide any further clues as to his life, and if so, would anybody know where I might be able to view these here in the UK (I'm near London). Thanks in advance for any advice. Scott