Hi Karlena, Thanks so much for this descriptive explanation and the provided resource! I shall make good the time you invested to write this message and check into it. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Peggy Ann -----Original Message----- >From: Karlena <karlena@iprimus.com.au> >Sent: Nov 24, 2009 12:13 AM >To: countycork@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [CO CORK] Cork Assizes September 1822 > >Hi Peggy, >To be transported for life meant that you were to be removed from the >British Isles never to return. By the 1820's the usual place the convicts >were sent was one of the Australian Colonies. Transportation for 7 years >again meant to be removed from the British Isles but the sentence was for >only the 7 years so the convict, technically, could return after this time. >However, the government did not supply return fares so once a convict had >completed their sentence they had to find their own way back. Most found it >easier to remain in the colonies as there was work and land available that >would not have been available at home. Those most likely to return home were >those who could sign on as sailors to work their passage home. >There would be few families in Australia who have been here since prior to >1900 who can't find at least one convict in their past. >A lifer could receive a conditional pardon which basically made him or her a >free person in the colonies but the condition of the pardon was that they >could not return home. >The convict transportation process is quite complex with changes to >operation over the years, but the basic procedure was that convicts were >sentenced for 7 years, 14 years or life. Transported to the colony, they >either went into service for the government or a settler, for several years. >If they behaved they would be issued a ticket of leave which entitled them >to work for a wage and live independently, but they had to remain in a >designated area. A few years later they may receive a conditional pardon or >a full pardon, or on the completion of their sentence a certificate of >freedom. These gave increasing levels of independence and the ability to >travel as they liked but for many an emancipated convict they were never >truly seen as being part of free society. >A website that has a lot of interesting information and links on convicts, >especially those from Ireland is http://members.pcug.org.au/~ppmay/ >Bye Karlena, >>From Launceston, Tasmania, Australia > >-----Original Message----- >From: countycork-bounces@rootsweb.com >[mailto:countycork-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Peggy Keating-Butler >Sent: Tuesday, 24 November 2009 3:25 AM >To: countycork@rootsweb.com >Cc: IRL-CORK-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [CO CORK] Cork Assizes September 1822 > >Hi Dennis-- > >What an eye-opener! I have no in-depth historical knowledge of the >times related and so am interested in knowing what is meant by >"to be transported for life." Does this mean a "life sentence"? >Likewise, I see "seven years transportation." What is the >significance of the term "transported" or "transportation" associated >with these jail sentences? > >Thanks! > >Peggy (aka "Georgia Anne Butler," author of the trilogy Of the Wing). > >http://www.ofthewing.com > > >No virus found in this outgoing message. >Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.77/2520 - Release Date: 11/24/09 >06:45:00 > >Check out the Ireland GenWeb County Cork Website at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlcor/ >It is a good place to find information related to your family research. >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to COUNTYCORK-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message