Ruqayyah Snyder
Between 1787 and 1868, hundreds of thousands of convicts were transported from Britain and Ireland to Australia. The British Government began transporting convicts overseas to American colonies in the early 18th century. After the trans-Atlantic transportation ended with the start of the American Revolution, Britain sought an alternative destination to relieve further overcrowding of its prisons. Today, it is estimated that about 20% of Australians are descendants of convicts, with the figure being higher in Tasmania, where 74% of the population was estimated to be descended from convicts in 2009.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Australians descended from convicts | 20% (one-fifth) or 20-30% |
| Number of convicts transported from Britain and Ireland to Australia | 162,000 or 160,000+ |
| Time period of convict transportation | 1787-1868 |
| Number of convict transport ships in the First Fleet | 6 or 11 |
| Number of convicts on board the First Fleet | 775 or almost 800 |
| Number of Britons with transported convict ancestry | 2 million |
| Percentage of Tasmania's population estimated to be descended from convicts in 2009 | 74% |
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What You'll Learn
The First Fleet of 11 convict ships set sail for Botany Bay in 1787
In 1786, the decision was made to send a group of convicts, military, and civilian personnel to Botany Bay, Australia. On 13 May 1787, the First Fleet of 11 convict ships set sail for Botany Bay from Portsmouth, England. The fleet consisted of two Royal Navy vessels, three storeships, and six convict transports under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, who was appointed Governor of the new colony. In addition to the convicts, the ships carried marines, sailors, colonial officials, and free settlers. There were about 50 children on board, some of whom were convicts, some were children of marines, and others were born during the voyage.
The First Fleet is estimated to have carried between 750 and 780 convicts, with a total of around 1,400 to 1,420 people on board across all 11 ships. The fleet travelled over 24,000 kilometres (15,000 miles) and took over 250 days to reach Botany Bay on 18 January 1788. However, Governor Arthur Phillip rejected Botany Bay as a suitable site for the colony due to its open bay and damp soil, which could affect the health of the settlers. Instead, he chose Port Jackson, located about 12 kilometres to the north, as the new site for the colony. The fleet sailed to Port Jackson on 26 January 1788, and the site was named Sydney Cove, after the British Home Secretary, Lord Sydney. This date is now celebrated as Australia Day, marking the beginning of British settlement in Australia.
The First Fleet marked the beginning of the transportation of convicts to Australia, which continued until 1868. During this period, it is estimated that about 162,000 to 164,000 convicts were transported from Britain and Ireland to various penal colonies in Australia. Today, it is estimated that about 20% of the Australian population, or about one in five Australians, are descended from these transported convicts.
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20% of Australians are descendants of convicts
The idea that 20% of Australians are descended from convicts has been a topic of interest and discussion among Australians. This percentage represents a significant portion of the population with ancestral ties to those who were transported as convicts to Australia by the British penal system between 1787 and 1868. The high proportion of Australians with convict ancestry can be attributed to the large number of convicts transported to the country during this period, estimated to be around 162,000.
The acceptance and perception of this convict heritage have evolved over time. Historically, there was a stigma associated with having convict ancestors, as evidenced by the Tasmanian Library Board's refusal to allow the publication of convict names in the 1960s and the NSW government's plan to destroy convict records in the early 1900s. However, in recent times, Australians have been able to look back on their convict heritage with interest rather than shame. This shift in perspective has allowed people to explore their ancestral past and trace their convict ancestors' lives.
The impact of this convict ancestry on Australian society and culture is significant. The former convict settlement of Port Arthur, for example, has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors interested in learning about Australia's historical and cultural development. Additionally, the availability of genealogical resources and the growing interest in family history have encouraged many Australians to research their ancestral roots, including any potential connections to transported convicts.
The revelation that 20% of Australians are descendants of convicts has sparked mixed feelings among Australians. On the one hand, some may feel a sense of pride and connection to a unique part of Australian history. On the other hand, others may still struggle with the stigma associated with criminal ancestry. It is worth noting that the percentage of convict descendants varies across different regions of Australia, with Tasmania having a particularly high proportion, estimated at 74% in 2009.
In conclusion, the fact that 20% of Australians are descendants of convicts is a significant aspect of the country's history and cultural identity. It reflects the complex and often challenging journey of Australia's colonisation and settlement. As Australians continue to reconcile their past and embrace their diverse heritage, the understanding and perception of convict ancestry are likely to evolve further, shaping the country's cultural landscape.
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Tasmania has the highest proportion of convict descendants
It is estimated that about 20% of Australians are descendants of convicts. Between 1787 or 1788 and 1868, about 162,000 convicts were transported from Britain and Ireland to various penal colonies in Australia. Many of these convicts were convicted of what would be considered minor offences today, such as petty theft, fraud, and violence.
The fact that Tasmania has the highest proportion of convict descendants has not always been a source of pride for the state. In the early 1900s, the newly federated NSW government planned to destroy its convict records to remove the convict stigma. As late as the 1960s, Tasmania’s Library Board refused permission to a doctoral student to publish convict names for fear of embarrassing their descendants. However, today, many Australians look back on their convict heritage with interest rather than repugnance. The former convict settlement of Port Arthur in Tasmania, for example, is now a tourist attraction that draws more than 290,000 visitors a year.
Furthermore, a 2001 Victorian parliamentary report on crime in Australia found that, adjusted for population, Tasmania had the second-lowest crime rate in the nation, despite having the highest proportion of convict descendants. This challenges the idea that people may be cursed with a genetic predisposition towards criminal behaviour because their ancestors were convicts.
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Convicts were transported for minor offences
Between 1788 and 1868, the British penal system transported about 162,000 convicts from Britain and Ireland to various penal colonies in Australia. The British government sought an alternative destination to relieve the overcrowding of prisons and hulks. The First Fleet of eleven convict ships set sail for Botany Bay, arriving on 20 January 1788, to found Sydney, New South Wales, the first European settlement on the continent.
During the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, transportation was a common sentence for people convicted of crimes for which the death penalty was deemed too severe. Many people were transported for what would be considered minor offences today, including petty theft, fraud, and violence. For instance, stealing goods worth over 5 shillings, cutting down a tree, or even stealing a rabbit could result in transportation.
The Industrial Revolution economically displaced much of the working class, leading to an increase in petty crime. With Britain's prisons becoming overcrowded and criticism of the death penalty growing, Australia was seen as a potential alternative destination.
In the case of women, about 24,000 transportees (one in seven) were women, and 80% of them had been convicted of theft, usually petty. They often suffered the toughest time in the Australian colonies.
Today, it is estimated that 20% of the Australian population are descended from people originally transported as convicts, while around 2 million Britons have convict ancestry.
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Convict heritage inspires mixed feelings
Australia has a long and complex history of convict heritage, with a significant number of its citizens descended from convicts transported from Britain and Ireland during the colonial era. Between 1788 and 1868, the British penal system sent approximately 162,000 convicts to various penal colonies in Australia, with an estimated one in five Australians having convict ancestry today. This proportion is even higher in certain regions, such as Tasmania, where it is estimated that 74% of the population in 2009 were descended from convicts.
Historically, convict heritage in Australia has been a source of ambivalence and conflicting emotions. On the one hand, some Australians have embraced their convict past as a fascinating part of their history and a source of interest and curiosity. The former convict settlement of Port Arthur, for example, has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors each year. Additionally, many Australians have actively researched their convict ancestry through various archives and genealogy websites, indicating a willingness to engage with and understand this aspect of their heritage.
However, convict heritage has also been a source of stigma and embarrassment for some Australians. In the past, there were efforts to downplay or even conceal convict ancestry. For example, in the early 1900s, the NSW government planned to destroy its convict records to distance itself from its convict past. Similarly, Tasmania, formerly known as Van Diemen's Land, underwent a name change in 1856 to disassociate itself from its history as a convict colony. The word "convict" was rarely used, and access to convict records was restricted to avoid embarrassing descendants.
The mixed feelings surrounding convict heritage in Australia have also been influenced by fears of genetic predisposition towards criminal behaviour. A recent report identified a "warrior gene" connected to criminal behaviour, sparking speculation that convict ancestry might increase the likelihood of violent crime. However, these fears have been challenged, with some arguing that the focus should be on the social and environmental factors that contribute to criminal behaviour rather than genetic determinism.
Today, Australia's convict history is generally viewed with more curiosity and acceptance. The 150th anniversary of the First Fleet's landing in Sydney, for example, marked a shift towards officially recognizing the existence of convicts in early Australia, even if they were not the sole focus of the celebrations. While convict heritage may still inspire complex emotions for some Australians, it is increasingly seen as a significant part of the country's history, shaping its culture and society in ways that are still felt today.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that 20% of Australians are descended from convicts. This is around one in five Australians and equates to millions of people.
The British penal system transported convicts to Australia from 1787 to 1868.
Transportation was a common sentence for crimes that were not deemed severe enough for the death penalty. This included petty theft, fraud, and violence.
The majority of convicts were transported from Britain and Ireland, with over 160,000 convicts sent to Australia over 80 years.
Yes, Tasmania has a higher percentage of convict descendants than other parts of Australia. In 2009, it was estimated that 74% of Tasmania's population descended from convicts.
