Forest of Dean FHT Forum - New Zealand never had convicts sent to it.

New Zealand never had convicts sent to it. (reply)

rookancestrybest — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:16:29 +0000

I have a friend whose ancestor also ended up in Tasmania after having first been transported to Norfolk Island. Her relative was convicted for something similar to yours, he was one of the people in the Rebecca Riots which happened in South Wales in protest against toll charges on turnpikes (roads).

New Zealand never had convicts sent to it. (reply)

ritpetite — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:15:38 +0000

Maybe not but we had our fair share of baddies who were probably worse than the convicts who were convicted for stealing etc in an effort to feed their families.

CONVICTS TO NEW ZEALAND
by Anthony G. Flude ©2003
Despite assurances from the British Government that NO convicts were ever to be sent to the new fledgeling Colony of New Zealand, the unexpected arrival of two ships carrying young convict boys as immigrants from Parkhurst Prison in England in 1842 and 1843, caused quite a stir.
This article outlines the story of their arrival at Auckland, the problems they encountered and the public outcry that stopped them coming for ever.

Pākehā–Māori
The first women settlers, who landed in 1806, were the notorious mutineer and ex-convict Charlotte Badger and her fellow rebel Catharine Hagerty. Some seamen or ex-convicts lived with or close to Māori, learning their language, often fathering children with Māori women, and acting as go-betweens for traders, and interpreters. They were known as Pākehā–Māori.

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=WC18820304.2.17
This website may be of interest to anyone who had family living in NZ way back when.

Rita James
Proud of my ancestor Warren James sent to Tasmania for leading the riots in the Forest.

New Zealand never had convicts sent to it. (reply)

Roger Griffiths — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:39:55 +0000

Yes, I was talking of emigration, not transportation. I think transportation of criminals to American colonies started about 1712. That option was closed after 1776. Hence Australia 1788 to 1840.

Roger

New Zealand never had convicts sent to it. (reply)

rookancestrybest — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:59:38 +0000

I know the message above is making a different point but it needs clarifying that unlike Australia, the USA (when under British rule) and some other colonies, New Zealand never had people sent there as convicts they all went as free citizens.

FOD Convicts - Richard KEAR/James JAMES/George CHARLES (reply)

Roger Griffiths — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 15:26:20 +0000

I don't know about Lydney in particular but I do know about the UK in general. First was an agricultural revolution pre 1800 which started to reduce the need for agricultural labourers. Agriculultural labour dropped to half the working population by 1850. This is against a massive increase in population. Average children per family in 18th Century 6, 19th Century 12. Both these figures were way beyond what could be absorbed by employment opportunities. The industrial revolution was a godsend as to employment but the conditions in the new industrial towns and cities with no prior experience were frightful and people died like flies. Emigration to the colonies started just before 1700! My greatgrandparents had 12 children in FoD, 3 died young but the rest managed to find life long work. My grandmother born in Uffington 1878(then Berks) was one of 12 too. At least 4 of her brothers and sisters emigrated to Canada and Australia.

Roger

FOD Convicts - Richard KEAR/James JAMES/George CHARLES (reply)

m p griffiths — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 08:48:13 +0000

There are books written about this era

for example

Bermuda Dick- written by Averil KEAR

A True Story of Forest of Dean Convicts - which includes information of the life of Forest of Dean people (inc. religion) at that time

Hidden Heritage

http://www.hidden-heritage.co.uk/books/book-reviews/

Richard KEAR, James JAMES, George CHARLES, sentenced for Life at Gloucester 9 August 1851 -

More information of these Miners on

Gloucestershire Local History

http://www.gloshistory.org.uk/lhcbrev3.htm

History around 1862 (reply)

slowhands — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 08:31:40 +0000

yes I understand that but what I wanted to know was what it was like in the area at the time for those who were working the land,

As I said various drivers but mainly a better life - spiritually, fiscally and/or environment. So turn this on its head and I would say that life in the area at that time was in general very hard. I'm not pretending that life in a young country like New Zealand was going to be a bed of roses, but to our ancestors it must have appeared to be a land of opportunity , despite the perilous journey to get there.

History around 1862 (reply)

patsym — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 08:16:07 +0000

Thanks, yes I understand that but what I wanted to know was what it was like in the area at the time for those who were working the land, in the mills (if there were any)what sort of life these people were leading etc thanks very much for your input though

History around Lydney in 1862 (reply)

patsym — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 08:14:49 +0000

Thanks for this but already been there. I am after information about what was happening politically, in the workplaces for people etc thanks for your input though

History around 1862 (reply)

slowhands — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 07:58:14 +0000

I was wondering what the conditions were like in the area at this time, what would have made them take up the offer to come 12000 miles to settle.

It wasn't just Lydney many folk left the area in the mid to late 1800's - some within the UK some to the far corners of the world.

Various drivers but mainly a better life - spiritually, fiscally and/or environment.

History around Lydney in 1862 (reply)

m p griffiths — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 06:51:11 +0000

Useful background on Lydney around that time on

Genuki Full Contents Gloucestershire

http://www.genuki.org.uk/contents/GLScontents.shtml

Click on the box: Gloucesteshire (GLS) Parish List

Click on L for Lydney

Click on Lydney

Includes : Extract from Kelly's Directory of Gloucestershire 1861 - Lydney

Another reason for families dispersing around the Country and Worldwide (as in many cases in my family tree ) was the GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY (God's Wonderful Railway)

http://mikes.railhistory.railfan.net/r010.html

Lydney Junction opened in 1851

History around Lydney in 1862

patsym — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 04:11:00 +0000

Can anyone tell me what was happening around Lydney area in 1862. A family left the area and came to New Zealand they were agricultural workers and I was wondering what the conditions were like in the area at this time, what would have made them take up the offer to come 12000 miles to settle.