Hi Liz: Not all did survive the first year! In particular, my 4th greatuncle Richard WILLCOCKS/WILCOCKS/WILCOX (in various dcuments) who was my claimed convict. He was on Charlotte in the First Fleet, arriving early 1788, but was buried on 16 Dec 1788, apparently aged 35 although he would have been 25-26 at that time. Richard was chr. at Stoke Damerel, Devon, on 8 Jan 1763, son of Robert WILCOCKS and Hannah HEARLE, both born of Cornish parents. Robert was born in Antony, Cornwall, across the Tamar from Devonport Dock, as was his father Robert and grandfather John. Hannah was christened at Stoke Damerel, but her father Samuel HEARLE was from Tywardreath. I know very little about the mother Jane, whi is named on the baptism for Hannah in 1733. Richard was next found in the Plymouth Dockyard between 30 Jan 1775 and 12 Aug 1779 when he left at his own request. He was recorded as a good worker, as a Quarter Boy. On 20th October, 1785, he was committed with Thomas PARKER and William JENKINS for an assault with sticks, with intent to rob, by Joseph Tolcher, Mayor of Plymouth, tried the following Epiphany Quarter Sessions at Exeter, and sentenced to seven years transportation. Meanwhile, he was on the Dunkirk Hulk, prior to his arrival at Port Jackson on 26 January 1788. The fact that his burial record shows his name as Richard WILCOX and age as 35 and burial in 16 December 1788, near the end of that first year, is further evidence of the harsh conditions in that settlement. Other records mention his age at sentencing as 23 and his age at arrival of the Charlotte as 25, which are both consistent with his baptism date. It is possible that the burial record mis-stated his age or it was mistranscribed as 35 by NSW records officials, or that they simply didn't know he was still only 25 at death, maybe looking ten years older by then as a result of the conditions. What does your book say about him if he is mentioned by name? I have no other information and have not read it. What is the ISBN and other details about the book? HTH Martin Willcocks Taylorsville, UT, USA Liz wrote: > Hello Lesley and Listers > > I am currently reading the book "1788" by David Hill, and am finding it > very interesting, especially as it covers quite lot of information about > the years in England before the departure of the First Fleet, the > various ships which came and went , the hardship of the first years > here. How they all survived those years, and in particular the first > year, is nothing short of a miracle. > > Great background on the ships, as none were new, and the ships' captains > and their previous experiences, and a good read for those whose families > arrived here prior to 1800. > > Liz