Transportation of Convicts from Nottingham to Australia http://shorl.com/fehehomavistu Transportation emerged as a punishment in 1717 and was viewed as a humane alternative to the death penalty. Most convicts were initially transported to America but this ceased in 1776 with the start of the American Revolution. After this, convicts were held in prisons and because they became overcrowded. Old ships (hulks) moored in coastal waters were used. Conditions on these hulks were very grim . They were overcrowded floating dungeons, poorly ventilated, infested with vermin and disease. Even by the standards of the day this was seen as unacceptable. Transportation to Australia began in 1787 when the first fleet set sail. It was seen as a solution to the overcrowding of prisons and hulks and as a temporary measure . Transportation reached a peak in the 1830's and continued for 70 years until 1857, by which time new prisons were opening - many of which are still in use today. Transportation wasn't formally abolished until 1868. Example: ROSE , Martha 2 Jan 1833 Transported 7 yrs for stealing one shilling and one sixpence SIMPSON , Joseph labourer St. Nicholas 11 Oct 1826 Transported 7 yrs for stealing 9 knives and 8 forks belonging to Elizabeth Lingford on 4 Oct 1826. Sally Rolls Pavia sallypavia2001@yahoo.com "A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good." List Owner: GENEALOGYBITSANDPIECES-L-request@rootsweb.com Archives: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/GENEALOGYBITSANDPIECES "All incoming and outgoing email checked by Norton Anti-Virus"