Status Updates From Convicts in the Colonies: T...

We're off to Western Australia with the Parkhurst Boys. "Apprentices" sounds better than "convicts" but their experiences were often just as horrible.

Reading about the lives of transported convicts who kept on getting themselves into trouble, I can't help wondering if and how I would've managed under such a strict regime. Lucy Williams' descriptions make Botany Bay and Van Diemens Land come to life in the best and worst way.

Three Mary's convicted to transportation saw their lives turn out quite differently. Can you imagine having your portret incorporated into the 10 dollar bill?

We've arrived at the penal colonies in the new land. Through the tellings of three Mary's we'll learn a lot about life under the convict system.

Admittedly I know very little about British penal colonies in Australia. It seemed to me a quick fix. Ship your fellons to a far a way place and good riddance. But now I learn that stealing as little as a handkerchief could get you the sentence of transportation. Even those as young as 12 weren't spared.
And before the long journey a convict could be kept on a hulk having to do hard labour for years on end.