Australian Convict Records Online

scooter · Post by **scooter** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:06 pm

Hi Trish/Alan,

Thank you SO much for your messages.

Trish - Yes, I thought it could be a child too, but thought I'd take a peek anyway. Good call about the transcription agents, do you think they'd look through old newspapers too? I believe there might be something in the Sydney Gazette called a Notice of Intent which lists people wanting to go back to the UK?

Alan - Genius! I do have access to the London Times (via Bedford Library) but never thought to look for Weshart. I am descended from fantastic stock aren't I? (my GG Grandfather - John's Grandson was depressingly similar in character, however fortunately the dodgy traits stop with him).

It's amazing how quickly research can turn around, only a month ago I had no information about John, and now I have enough to pad out several paragraphs in a book. I suspect there's more out there too.

Thanks again,

Scott

scooter · Post by **scooter** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:39 pm

Alan -

I took another peak at the times and came across two more articles that gave a lot more information, although some of it was quite depressing! Anyway looks as if GGGG Grandfather was married to five women at the same time. The female child mentioned on the ancestry site was from an earlier marriage than Jane Abbott, although I know not which one. Anyway, thanks for opening another door.

Best,

Scott

Post by **joette** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 12:00 pm

He really sounds like a rogue but somehow it does make tracing his life much easier than those who stayed on the straight & narrow.

I wonder if he did it for monetary gain or was he just a man who couldn't do without the excitement of "falling in love".Hated the bits that followed but married on a high.
Probably thought that there was enough distance between London & Glasgow for his sons-Freudian slip there,sins to go undiscovered.

I really think that a wider audience would be interested in this old rogue.
We had Wishart neighbours & they were a very respectable bunch.Wonder what they make of him?

trish1 · Post by **trish1** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:24 pm

Hi Scott

I have a bad habit of forgetting what resources I have until somebody mentions something like "Sydney Gazette" - I have a CD containing name indexes to the NSW Govt Gazettes 1832 - 1862. The Gazettes themselves are available at the SAG in Sydney & you can order extracts online at their website www.sag.org.au but not too cheap if you want lots. I do have a distant cousin who visits sag & would probably look up a couple for me - but there are heaps of references to John Wishart - probably yours and a couple of others. Do you have a copy of this CD? I will have to transcribe some of the index to see if any would be of use - one that seems interesting (not sure if it relates to your mention of the "Sydney Gazette")

27 jan 1857 NSW Ship Oneida Abscondment

Ones that may be yours include
1845 NSW Sydney Convict Indulgence
1846 NSW Queanbeyan Convict Indulgence
1848 NSW Queanbeyan Job (Other)

Did I mention that the NSW shipping Index is online
1845-1855 Don't know if it would help - no index unfortunately
http://www.nla.gov.au/ferg/issn/14403897.html

Trish

Should have mentioned - the agent I use is Laurie Turtle & I know he goes to the NSW archives - you could check by email as to whether he would look up gazettes etc. Last time I checked he didn't have online CC - you would have to phone or give details in a snail mail - have to admit I just phoned him with CC details & any time I want something send an email. He does the transcribing and then bills my card. I've had no problems. We talk every 2 years when the card expires

(Our $ is up at the minute - I celebrated by buying 30 credits at SP - first time it has cost me less than $15

)

ninatoo · Post by **ninatoo** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 3:00 pm

Despite living in Australia I do not know the first thing about searching the records here, as my family are first generation immigrants and I am yet to find anyone who came here before us.

However, I thought I would mention that perhaps John Wishart travelled to the goldfields in Victoria over the border (try Bendigo or Ballarat) after his release. The gold rush in Victoria began in the 1850's, so it sounds about the right time frame to me.

Nina

scooter · Post by **scooter** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:58 am

Hi All,

Joette - Bless you for looking on the bright side of things. Having seen the other articles (which include quotes from John), it seems hard to imagine this chap possessing any kind of conscience about what he did. Unfortunately he wasn't a mere 'bounder', but appears to be an outright rotten apple. Generally though we're a respectable bunch, I meet with a number of fellow Wisharts once a year in Edinburgh for lunch at the Doric. Very nice crowd they are too!

Trish - No, I'm new to the CD you mentioned. I'd be very interested to see anything you might think is relevant from it - but only if it's no trouble for you. Intrigued about the 1857 ship abscondment, and what might a 'Convict Indulgence' be? Thanks also for the advice RE: the agent.

Nina - I did find one John Wishart (referred to earlier in this thread as John J W Wishart) who moved to Victoria but who ends up in a place called Gundaroo (sp?) Too bad he's not my man, I found a book on Google books with a stack of info about him!

Thanks again,

Scott

trish1 · Post by **trish1** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 1:38 am

I have little idea as to Convict indulgence - but I think it relates to the who is employing the convict - Google seems to tell me it is a ticket of leave - I will see if my cousin can check a couple of the entries & will check the rest of the index - Given your reference to the man from Gundaroo, many may relate to him. There is also a mention of Qld on the index - no mention of JW in their BDM registers that I can see.

Trish

scooter · Post by **scooter** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:24 am

Hi Trish,

Many thanks. Qld may be of some relevance given that Alan has alerted me to a possible John in the state in 1871. Being that my John gained his certificate of freedom in 1844, would he still be referred to as a convict after that?

Your interest and help is greatly appreciated.

Very best,

Scott

trish1 · Post by **trish1** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 1:22 am

Scooter wrote:
Qld may be of some relevance given that Alan has alerted me to a possible John in the state in 1871. Being that my John gained his certificate of freedom in 1844, would he still be referred to as a convict after that?

Sorry I was tied up yesterday & didn't get back to your convict - Most folks tried to hide their convict origins after release/cert of freedom or whatever, and going to another state would be a good way to do this - but I can find no record of a death in Qld to 1914 & I doubt he would have lived longer.

Will check the CD today

regards

Trish

trish1 · Post by **trish1** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:04 am

I think most of you know more about who/what might be in this instance than myself - so these are the gazette references - Which would be the best to check initially?

Trish

7 Feb 1845 Sydney Convict Indulgence
17 Jun 1846 Queanbeyan Convict Indulgence
12 Jan 1848 Queanbeyan Job (other)
3 Aug 1848 Sydney Postal
24 Dec 1848 Gundaroo Poundkeepers
6 Jan 1850 Gundaroo Poundkeepers
30 Apr 1850 Sydney Postal
10 April 1851 Gundaroo Poundkeepers
31 Mar 1852 Turon Postal
01 Nov 1853 Sydney Postal
8 Feb 1854 Qld Moreton bay Professional
23 Oct 1854 Gundaroo Business
19 mar 1855 Gunderoo Poundkeepers
31 Mar 1855 Sydney Postal
15 Jun 1855 Qld Moreton Bay Postal
22 Feb 1856 Aus NSW Queanbeyan Distr Business
27 Feb 1856 Gundaroo Poundkeepers
27 Jan 1857 Aus NSW ship "Oneida" Abscondment
30 Jan 1858 Gundaroo Poundkeepers
15 July 1859 NSW Adelong postal
2 Feb 1860 Sydney Clarence Str Postal
15 Nov 1860 Balmain Postal

All References are NSW except the 2 at Moreton Bay
All are references to mention of a John Wishart