Just catching up with part two Jane - it's incredible to think that women were effectively 'graded' by their behaviour, but I guess people are still judged even today. We still live in Avery judgmental society. Thankfully a lot has changed since Elizabeth's journey to the other side of the world and I am hoping for a positive life for her and George in part three!
I have checked Ancestry and Craig doesn't appear to be a DNA match to my husband but it wouldn't be surprising for them to be genealogically related but not genetically connected given the distance of the relationship at 3C1R. Craig just got different bits of DNA from George and/or Elizabeth than my husband did ... or at least none in common that is detectable.
Thanks Helene. I am quite attached to George and Elizabeth. It has been interesting to get to know them a little ... Well to the extent one can through old records. They have a lot of descendants in Australia and New Zealand many of whom have popped up in my husband's DNA matches.
I wonder what Elizabeth did that got her demoted two rungs to 3rd class. Perhaps it was a serious offense, or else only minor infractions got you demoted to 2nd. Or a misdeed of any kind was considered reason enough to send a convict ‘back to the beginning’ and work her way up from 3rd…
Of course I can’t help but wonder what she encountered in the home where she was assigned. I can easily imagine a petty offense or saucy retort being inflated into something large enough to get sent to hard labor.
As with George, I can’t help but wonder about the personal troubles of Elizabeth, and the conflicts she may have had. And I think of the people around her she had to put up with.
Thanks for reading. Yes. It certain raises a lot of questions. It is a pity the ‘misconduct’ is not further explained in her convict records. 1st class straight to 3rd class is a harsh sentence. Perhaps the magistrate was having a bad day as well?
November 1843 was towards the end of the ‘assignment’ system of convict administration and one of the reasons it was changed in 1844 is because it was a bit of a lottery as to whom the women were assigned. Undoubtedly some masters and mistresses took advantage of the situation.
Elizabeth was a corker, wasn’t she? That journey to Tasmania must have been really dreadful. I can’t imagine living through that and then entering what was basically a workhouse.
She sure was! Working outside the institution would have been an improvement, perhaps - definitely better than 3rd class, but still potentially very difficult depending on who you ended up working for. No wonder, the women ended up going up and down the class system. Not sure I blame her for getting drunk!
Thanks Lori. I have been fascinated by Elizabeth for a while. It's a pleasure to share her story and circumstances.
Incredible research and fascinating details, Jane. You’ve opened my eyes to historical realities I know very little about. Thanks you!
Just catching up with part two Jane - it's incredible to think that women were effectively 'graded' by their behaviour, but I guess people are still judged even today. We still live in Avery judgmental society. Thankfully a lot has changed since Elizabeth's journey to the other side of the world and I am hoping for a positive life for her and George in part three!
Thanks Paul. Yes ... And a difficult environment to be on your best behaviour in, I expect.
Great read... George and Elizabeth are my 3rd Great Grandparents. Sometimes good to remember their story when I think I am having a rough day.
That's interesting. They are my husband's 2nd great grandparents. Have you DNA tested?
yes through my heritage site. My brother Craig has through Ancestry site. Their Daughter Alice was my 2nd Great grandmother.
I have checked Ancestry and Craig doesn't appear to be a DNA match to my husband but it wouldn't be surprising for them to be genealogically related but not genetically connected given the distance of the relationship at 3C1R. Craig just got different bits of DNA from George and/or Elizabeth than my husband did ... or at least none in common that is detectable.
Since making the last comment, I checked my husband's tree and see I have you connected as a DNA match. You are his 3C1R.
Thanks Helene. I am quite attached to George and Elizabeth. It has been interesting to get to know them a little ... Well to the extent one can through old records. They have a lot of descendants in Australia and New Zealand many of whom have popped up in my husband's DNA matches.
What great research. Really enjoying this series.
I wonder what Elizabeth did that got her demoted two rungs to 3rd class. Perhaps it was a serious offense, or else only minor infractions got you demoted to 2nd. Or a misdeed of any kind was considered reason enough to send a convict ‘back to the beginning’ and work her way up from 3rd…
Of course I can’t help but wonder what she encountered in the home where she was assigned. I can easily imagine a petty offense or saucy retort being inflated into something large enough to get sent to hard labor.
As with George, I can’t help but wonder about the personal troubles of Elizabeth, and the conflicts she may have had. And I think of the people around her she had to put up with.
Thanks for reading. Yes. It certain raises a lot of questions. It is a pity the ‘misconduct’ is not further explained in her convict records. 1st class straight to 3rd class is a harsh sentence. Perhaps the magistrate was having a bad day as well?
November 1843 was towards the end of the ‘assignment’ system of convict administration and one of the reasons it was changed in 1844 is because it was a bit of a lottery as to whom the women were assigned. Undoubtedly some masters and mistresses took advantage of the situation.
Elizabeth was a corker, wasn’t she? That journey to Tasmania must have been really dreadful. I can’t imagine living through that and then entering what was basically a workhouse.
She sure was! Working outside the institution would have been an improvement, perhaps - definitely better than 3rd class, but still potentially very difficult depending on who you ended up working for. No wonder, the women ended up going up and down the class system. Not sure I blame her for getting drunk!