18th October 2022

Broken families

Over 160,000 people were transported to Australia between 1788 and 1868.  We know from National Archive records that some came from York. Transportees faced a long sea voyage, and a new life on arrival in Van Diemen's Land and New South Wales, where many worked in often harsh conditions. What is less appreciated is how families in the UK experienced financial hardship and emotional separation as a result of that enforced exile.  

Convict ship Neptune, taking prisoners to Australia

Our own Poverty Research Group have been investigating the lives of local families - the wives and children of York men who had been transported in the mid-nineteenth century. They've been using Poor Law records from 1846 to identify those families involved, who experienced tough times, having lost their main breadwinner. Members of the group have been exploring the survival strategies adopted to feed and house their broken families.

To find out more follow this link