I thought it neccessary to write and post this message also. Trudy , you have done a wonderful job, I agree this is the quintessential reference for links not only to "Australasia" convicts, I am biased because it also mentions Philip LEVY of Liverpool Street who had a couple of those convicts contracted to work for him. He was my great-grandfather (x3). In light of this book, I am proud of my heritage, Dr Trudy Cowley keep up your fantastic work, you are a saint who has worked with adversity in producing this book and for that you should be commended, I am looking forward to my mum buying the book for my christmas present this year! Accolades and ovations well deserved!! Cheers Polly Basclain Congratulations to Dr Trudy Cowley on what is and will be the quintessential reference to the arrival of 200 female convicts per "Australasia" in 1849 Ambitious in scope and executed with commanding authority that can only come from reference to the staggering number of resources used The bibliography itself is a major resource and I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with connections to that ship One point that Trudy has brought up that absolutely floored me when I read it, was the fact that a lot of the convicts from Ireland possibly didn't even speak English, a point that for some reason had escaped me, due to a lack of understanding of the plight of these people, which has given me a whole new perspective in regard to my own Irish connections cheers Chris in Tremont