‘Captain’ George Ransley
The Napoleonic Wars of 1803-1815 was a time of hostility between France and England. As well as increasing the size of the army and navy, the British government responded by strengthening existing defences and building new ones along the south…
Notorious strumpets and dangerous girls
Having survived a shipwreck and three months at sea, Ann Livingstone arrived in Hobart Town in February 1825 on the good ship Henry ably commanded by Captain Ferrier. Along with newspapers, she carried 79 female prisoners with ten children, and…
William Marshman
William Marshman (1804-1873) was my 2nd great-grandfather on my father's maternal side. He was from Somerset, England. I imagine he was called Billy. Aged 17, he was arrested and charged with larceny of a church house (40/-) during divine service,…
Ann (Livingstone) Johnson
Someone had seen a link to my family tree and asked if I knew the story of Ann Livingstone. As it happens, I didn't know her story, or who she was. I found her in my maternal grandmother's family. Ann…
Currency lads and lasses
The first generation of children born of convicts in the Australian colony were called 'currency lads and lasses' to distinguish them from the free settlers (Sterlings) who were born in the British Isles. Tasmanians have played down the achievements of…
