Not everyone can say that they have thirteen convicted felons in the family, all transported to Australia in the 18th and 19th Centuries. It must have been a terribly challenging time, but they went on to forge inspiring lives in this new country.
One of my Irish ancestors, Pierce Collits, was convicted at the Old Bailey in 1800 for receiving stolen fabrics. Sentenced to transportation for fourteen years, his wife, Mary, made the brave decision to join him in exile. As a free settler, she was granted 70 acres on the Nepean River, and also granted her husband as a convict servant! She must have whipped him into shape, as they soon earned a reputation as ‘industrious and respectable’ settlers. By 1811 he’d been granted a conditional pardon from Governor Macquarie and by 1815 he was appointed as a district Chief Constable.
Researching my family with Ancestry.com.au has opened a treasure trove of characters that link back through seven Australian generations. In fleshing out their lives and writing their histories, I really feel like I’m paying tribute to my ancestors. I take great pride and pleasure in passing on their stories and their part in Australian history to future generations.
My advice for anyone wanting to discover their family story? Get on to Ancestry.com.au. The vast range of information that’s available online makes it so easy to get started on your family tree. But be warned, it’s addictive.