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Australian convict records: Australia

Between 1788 and 1868 about 160 000 British convicts were sent to Australia. This State Library of South Australia guide will assist you to locate worldwide resources for researching your convict ancestors.

Convict arrival dates

New South Wales                              1788 - 1850
Queensland 1824 - 1839
Tasmania 1803 - 1853
Victoria 1803 - 1849
Western Australia 1850 - 1868

Books in the State Library

Useful websites

Medical Officer at Port Arthur

Painting of Dr James Weston of Adelaide, wife Miriam and daughter Fanny, by an unnamed convict artist. Dr Weston was stationed at Port Arthur between 1844 to 1849. (B 11268)

Irish transportation records

Can also be accessed on microfilm via the Australian Joint Copying Project collection. More details here