First Fleet Online consists of information about the convicts who were transported to Australia in 1787. Provides database of convicts, background information, diary extracts, stories and letters of the time, and more Prepared by University of Woollongong
Between 1788 and 1850 the English sent over 162,000 convicts to Australia in 806 ships. The first eleven of these ships are today known as the First Fleet and contained the convicts and marines that are now acknowledged as the Founders of Australia. This is their story.
Information about Australia as a Penal Colony, convict experiences, transportation to other penal settlements, ticket of leave, Has links to other relevant websites and a list of useful resources
Women became an influential and hard working part of colonial Australia. Includes Elizabeth McArthur, Georgiana McCrae, Caroline Chisholm. Has links to other useful websites
Non-fiction books in the SHGC Library
Listed below are just some of the non-fiction books about Convicts & settlers that are in the SHGC Library collection. Check the Library catalogue for other relevant titles
Convicts in Australia: a workforce of prisoners by Angela Crocombe
Call Number: 994.02 CRO
Publication Date: 2006
The first convicts arrived in Australia on the First Fleet. Sentenced in Britain to transportation to New South Wales for a range of crimes. This book looks at the life of convicts, what happened if they committed further crimes, and how some became famous.
Iron in the blood by Alan Tucker
Call Number: 365.92 TUC
Publication Date: 2002
Looks at the life of convicts and commandants in colonial Australia.
The Colonial experience: from first fleet to federation by Barbara Vance Wilson
Call Number: 994 WIL
Publication Date: 1990
Uses historical evidence of the times - letters, diary entries, newspaper articles, official documents, maps, paintings and illustrations to tell the story of Australia's first century.
The colonial experience: the Port Phillip District 1834-1850 by Richard Brooms and Alan Frost (editors)
Call Number: 994.5 COL
Publication Date: 1997
Provides a range of documents that help with investigating patterns of migration to Port Phillip; the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal people; the making of Port Phillip society.
Fiction in the SHGC Library
Midnite: the story of a wild colonial boy by Randolph Stow
Call Number: F STO
Publication Date: 2004
Set in Western Australia. Midnite was 17 when his father died. His five animal friends decided to look after him. Khat, the Siamese, suggested that he become a bushranger, and his horse, Red Ned, offered to help. But it wasn't very easy. especially when Trooper O'Grady kept putting him in prison. So it was just as well that he found GOLD!. An amusing look at early Australian history.
Convicts in Australia: a workforce of prisoners by