Used with permission
Three modern day women trace their ancestors and uncover the rags-to-respectability tale of three feisty convict women who bucked the system and became the unlikely founding mothers of modern Australia. Timewatch follows this extraordinary story which starts with The Lady Juliana, the all-female transport ship sent out to Australia, and its cargo of whores, thieves and canny con artists who saved a dying colony and redeemed themselves.
In 1788 the British Government sent a fleet of eleven ships to establish a penal settlement on the far side of the world – in Australia. But within days of their arrival the new settlers were battling to survive. Stranded in an alien world, they were wracked by starvation and disease. But another blight threatened to push the fledgling colony over the edge – depravity.
The meagre number of convict women brought with the First Fleet were ravaged by the men on their first night on land, Aboriginal women were sexually assaulted and soon one of the youngest colonists, an eight year old girl was raped by a marine. To save it from moral collapse, the settlement was in dire need of rescue.
Help would come from the most unlikely quarter. Welcome to the startling, shocking and stinking world of Georgian London! Meet some of the motley collection of street-girls, bagsnatchers and con-women who are plying their trade and turning their tricks… Rachel Hoddy is a mischievous prostitute who drags men back to her home not just to relieve them of their money ...but also their clothes. Little Mary Wade, an eleven-year-old street urchin, is hardly the picture of innocence either. Ann Mash has been convicted for stealing just a bushel of wheat. And finally, there's the doyenne of the London crime scene, Mrs. Elizabeth Barnsley.
Incarcerated for their ‘crimes’ and reprieved from death sentences these women are swept up in a government plot to rescue the starving colony at Sydney Cove. But these women will never be at the mercy of the bigwigs of the British Empire.
Aboard The Lady Juliana, they criss-cross the oceans and at each port of call the women show they have quite a head for enterprise. Turning the boardwalks into catwalks they convert the ship into a floating brothel, the sure means to feeding themselves and staying alive. These women are survivors and doing business is in their blood. Sydney Cove will get more than it bargained for when this lot arrive.
This is the rip-roaring tale of a boat-load of women who sailed to the ends of the earth to breath life into a dying colony. But together they would give Sydney and the nation of Australia something much more – a future.
As their descendents discover the story by unearthing diaries, court records and documents they begin to draw parallels with their own twenty-first century lives, and discover they have inherited more than just their genes - but also the incredible entrepreneurial spirit of their forebears.
![World War I soldiers [Posed by actors]](/openlearn/files/ole/imported/736/000716492_nat1.jpg)
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Floating Brothel
Hello, I would like to introduce myself, I am John Kirkaldy and I will be looking in and commenting on behalf of the OU on the series Timewatch that goes out tonight (Friday, 20th) and goes on till 10th. March (with a break of two weeks for the Winter Olympics). The series will look at such diverse topics as The Battle of the River Plate, The Floating Brothel, The Unknown Soldiers, The San Francisco Earthquake and Genghis Khan. I think that you will agree that it is quite a fascinating mix! Tonight's programme looks at Bog Bodies and looks really very good indeed. I would like to hear your views on this and any other historical issues that you have in mind. Best wishes and look forward to hearing from you! John
Floating Brothel: Dissertation
Hi,
I am a second year history student studying at the University of York. I was grasped by the recent timewatch programme on the floating brothel. I am currently searching for dissertation ideas and I was quite taken with this idea of moving female convicts. I was wondering if you could give me any tips as I am keen to progress this idea further, I am also keen to work with primary source material. I am however worried that a lot of material has already been covered in the show and was hoping that you might be able to provide me with a niche into this fascinating topic which has not be so thoroughly covered.
Thank You
Victoria.
Floating Brothel
Unfortunately I missed this program, but have had a look at Timewatch site and am very interested to get in touch with Helen Phillips,who is related to Rachel HODDY. I am related to the HODDY family from London, my grandmother's mother was Julia HODDY. We are descended from Edward HODDY/Sarah HUTCHINS
Re: Floating Brothel
> Unfortunately I missed this program, but have had a
> look at Timewatch site and am very interested to get
> in touch with Helen Phillips,who is related to Rachel
> HODDY. I am related to the HODDY family from London,
> my grandmother's mother was Julia HODDY. We are
> descended from Edward HODDY/Sarah HUTCHINS
Hi there i am also related to Rachel Hoddy 6th Generation
My Aunt who is also researching family history is meeting helen Phillips this week for coffee to collate info on the Hoddy families.
My Hoddy connections are HODDY/WATSON/BURRIS/HASLER/JARVIS
Re: Floating Brothel
> Unfortunately I missed this program, but have had a
> look at Timewatch site and am very interested to get
> in touch with Helen Phillips,who is related to Rachel
> HODDY. I am related to the HODDY family from London,
> my grandmother's mother was Julia HODDY. We are
> descended from Edward HODDY/Sarah HUTCHINS
Hi there i am also related to Rachel Hoddy (6th )Generation.I am from the Hoddy/Watson/Burris line in Tasmania. My Aunt is catching up, the Helen Phillips who helped research the Floating Brothel. I have a ged/com file of the RachelHoddy /Williams line
Please fell free to email, I hope i can help
Regards Lindy Hobart Tasmania
Floating brothel
Thoroughly enjoyed the programme, my interest is in grandparents who met and married in Brisbane, 1887, long after the early settlers in your programme, both my grandparents had lost previous partners (one on the way from London to Brisbane), had travelled separately from England to Australia, also my father who grew up in Brisbane (after being born in London in 1894) who came to London in 1915 to enlist in the Royal Field Artillery, and who never returned to Australia. I plan at sometime to visit Brisbane, to learn more about what it was like around 1887 and if possible, to learn something of my father's childhood, ideally to discover where he went to school. Any thoughts about how I plan for such a trip.
Convicts to Australia
I have record that an ancestor, James Saxelbye, was sentenced to transportation for 7 yrs in 1788 at Warwick Assizes and sailed on the Scarborough, arriving Port Jackson 1790. I also know that Sarah Dring sailed on the Lady Juliana 1789, but do not know the reason why.
They were married Jul 1790 in C of E church NSW.
My question is, a) how can I find out their crimes and b) what happened to them after 1790, please?
Re: Convicts to Australia
Hi Betty, I cannot help you with James Saxelbye but I can tell you something about Sarah Dring. In general details of the crimes for both should exist in the assize records at The National Archives in Kew [England] (if they survive for the year of conviction).
Sarah was convicted at Warwick (1787) for robbery in a dwelling house. She was sentenced to death but received a conditional pardon commuting the sentence to 7 years transportation. She is listed in Pardons and Punishment, List and Index Society, Volume 305, p. 236.
Regards, Paul Carter.
Convict Lists
I have just watched the 'Floating Brothel' programme with great interest.
Does anyone know if convict lists exist for men transported to America?
My husband's family has a document commuting a death sentance to transportation of a convict by the name of John Coxon. It bears the signatures of George III and Philip Sydney. It is dated 1785. Originally we assumed it referred to transportation to Australia until we realised the date was too early.
This document has intrigued the family for many years as we have no idea if he is an ancestor.
Many thanks for any help you cna give
Janet
Re: Convict Lists
Dear Janet
The probability is that John Coxon did in fact go to Australia, unless he died in prison or was pardoned. Many on the First and Second Fleets to Australia (and on the Lady Juliana) received their sentences to transportation in 1785-1786-1787, before the penal colony in Australia had been established or even decided upon. They simply waited in the gaols while the British government considered how to replace the penal settlements which had been lost with the American War of Independence. Quebec was considered, as was the west coast of Africa, before Botany Bay was chosen.
All convicts of the First and Second Fleets are listed in Mollie Gillen's 'Founders of Australia: a Bibliographical Dictionary of the First Fleet'; and Michael Flynn's 'The Second Fleet: Britain's Grim Convict Armada of 1790'. These are held in some public libraries, or available on amazon.com or at the National Archive in Kew, London. If John Coxon did go to Australia, you'll find his name there.
Good luck!
Sian Rees
Re: Convict Lists
Dear Janet and Sian,
Hope this reaches both of you. There are lists for transportation to America (but it is not known how comprehensive these are). Best place to start is the Treasury Papers (T 1) at The National Archives (TNA).
Sian - you are quite right that someone sentenced to transportation at this time would have their warrants amended to Australia (from America) as the destination.
There is a John Coxon entered in the Criminal Entry Book HO 13/3, p 100, these are also at TNA) dated 2 May 1785. This John Coxon was convicted at the City of Litchfield (Staffordshire) for horse stealing and sentenced to death. The date 2 May 1785 is the date of his conditional pardon which commuted his sentence to 7 years transportation.
Regards, Paul Carter.
Re: Convict Lists
I have just caught up with your replies.
I can confirm that the John Coxon mentioned in the document in our family was convicted in Lichfield for the offence of horse stealing!
Obviously it is still unknown what happened to him after that.
Many thanks Paul for your research.
Janet
the floating brothal and transportation
I have just watched the programme The Floating Brothal and found it very interesting indeed. I have a ancester in my family tree who was transported in 1834 to Hobart or Sydney on four possible vessels. The William Metcalfe to Hobart, or Hooghly 4 to Sydney, or Augusta Jessie 1 to Hobart, or Waterloo 4 to Hobart. There were three deaths on the Augusta Jessie 1 but the others arrived with a full list of passengers. My ancester THOMAS KILSBY would have been on one of these ships. Can anyone tell me where I can find a list of convicts names arriving in Hobart or Sydney from these ships in 1834/35?
Re: the floating brothal and transportation
Dear Janet
all 'Transport Registers' - lists of prisoners' names aboard each transport ship - are held on microfilm in the National Archive in Kew, West London. You would need to look at the registers for all four ships to find your ancestor's name. If you can't get there, the National Archive can put you in touch with researchers who will do this for you for a fee. Their website is www.nationalarchives.gov.uk. If you haven't already done so, it's worth googling your ancestor's name and that of each of the ships, as there are a lot of family history associations in Australia who have done their own research and put it on the web.
Sian Rees
Floating Brothel
Over 100 women who arrived on the Lady Juliana were sent on to Norfolk Island where most of them married and with their families were resettled in Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) twenty yeard later. A list of these women can be found on my website. http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~schafferi
One of these women Mary Butler died on Norfolk Island in 1812, her family arriving VDL on the Minstrel in 1813. For further information on these women please feel free to contact me.
Irene Schaffer
Floating Brothel
I am looking forward to seeing this programme as I believe I am distantly related to Sarah Whitelam who is a main character in Sian Rees's book, my ancestors were Whitelams from Tealby in Lincolnshire. I would very interested to find out more about Sarah either before or after her time on the ship. If you can help Sian I would like to hear from you.
Re: Floating Brothel
My name is Sarah Whitelam and my family are from Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire. My Grandfather was Eric Whitelam and my Dad was Eric John.
Re: Floating Brothel
Sarah
It is along time since I checked this forum and have only just read your message. It is very interesting that your name coincides with that of the infamous Sarah Whitelam. We (my wife and I) have been digging around the parish records in search of the previous Sarah and I believe that we have found a probable baptism at Market Rasen in May 1770.
Peter
Re: Floating Brothel
Hi,
i have many Whitelams in my family tree, cannot find anyone who knows for sure where Sarah family came from in lincolnshire, i know the book and tv prog say Tealby but not sure if thats where she was born.
Monty.
Re: Floating Brothel
Monty
I have traced my Whitelam line back to the early 1700s, they lived in Glentham which is about 10 miles from Tealby. There are no records of any Whitelams in Tealby that I have found, until the early 1800s. It is unlikely that Sarah was born in Tealby. The record of her trial, available on-line at the Lincolnshire Archives site, implies she was living in Tealby and that was where her crime of theft from the daughter of a Robert Fletcher of Tealby is alleged to have taken place in 1787. She was probably in service in Tealby and was probably born somewhere else. To date however I have not pinned her down.
Re: Floating Brothel
I'm afraid I have to disappoint you: I searched for any further information on Sarah Whitelam since, as you say, she was a major character in this story, but was unable to find more than is in the book. There is scarcely anything on her crime; she only emerges as a character when she begins her connection with John Nicol; and when the couple separate, she fades again, apart from a record of her marriage and the birth of her children in Australia.
If any more information comes your way, do please let me know.
Best wishes
Sian Rees
Re: Floating Brothel
Sian
I believe I may have found a baptism for Sarah Whitelam. During research for other family members my wife spotted an entry in the Market Rasen parish record, a baptism for a Sarah Whitlam in May 1770. Father John and mother Mary. Also in this same record we found a burial of a Mary Whitlamb for January 1772 and then a marriage of a John Whitelam to a widow Mary Cator for July 1772. Market Rasen is only down the road from Tealby and so seems to be of the right time and in the right area.
It would seem that this Sarah Whitlam was brought up by her father and stepmother? Your thoughts would be appreciated.
I hope this is of some interest to you.
Regards
Peter
Re: Floating Brothel
Thank you for replying. I will continue my research as I still have to make the definite connection between my family and Sarah. At the moment I have traced my GG-Grandparents who were Whitelams married in Tealby Church in 1861 and I now have my GGG Grandfathers name,Johm Whitelam probably born about 1830.
If I find anything more I will let you know.
Also thank you for writing a fascinating book, bringing to life John Nicol's memoirs.
Regards
Peter
Re: Floating Brothel
I'm afraid i can't help you but just wanted to reply and ask how you started your research and what has led you to think you may be related to Sarah Whitelam??
I thought both the book and the documentary were fascinating!
Cheers
Phillippa
Re: Floating Brothel
Phillippa
Thank you for your interest. I started to research my family history some years ago when my father received a copy of his family tree from a distant relative. This was the Clixby family, my fathers surname. It prompted me to look further into my father's, mother's side of the family, the Whitelams as I knew very little about them. I have a 1/2 cousin (a Clixby)who does a lot of family reasearch and she has Whitelams in her line. She put onto a David Whitelam who is not related to me but has a data base of Whitelam's and it was him who first mentioned Sarah Whitelam connection. So I have embarked upon research to make the connection as my ancestors came from Tealby, where Sarah originally lived. So far I have traced my GGG Grandfather to be born around 1830. Some way to go yet.
Regards
Peter
Floating Brothel
To anyone who's been intrigued by 'The Floating Brothel' documentary on BBC2: I'm the author of the book on which it was based and would be happy to answer any questions about it.
Sian Rees
Re: Floating Brothel
My name is Madeline Evans, and I am a Year 12 student studying Extension History. After viewing the BBC production "The Floating Brothel", I have developed an interest in this area of Australian history. Having a previously discovered curiosity in women's studies, I consider this area of study to be one of great detail and appeal, which I would be able to research in depth and study passionately.
As part of my extended project for History, I am required to investigate opposing views on a topic of historical debate. I am deeply interested in the views you presented in the series. However, I wonder if you could help me in collecting sourcees of contradictory opinion. I have no doubt you have many qualified connections and I would be tremendously grateful to any recommendations or suggestions you may have to historians who disagree with your views.
I do sincerely understand that at the end of the year, there are many priorities which would take precedence over my request. However, I would be very thankful for any help you could offer.
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Madeline Evans
[Edited by: James for personal details on 23-Nov-2006 15:10]
Re: Floating Brothel
Hi Madeline,
I'm afraid you didn't give us any contact details of yourself. Could you fill in our feedback form and we'll see if we can help. You can find a link to this at the bottom of our home page: http://www.open2.net.
In the meantime, does anyone else have any suggestions for Madeline?
James
Re: Floating Brothel
I don't know if anyone has mentioned but Mary Wade's trial can be read online.
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/html_units/1780s/t17890114-58.html
MB
Re: Floating Brothel
read your book and loved it. i am a descendent of Mary wade her in australia. The brothel ship is to be screened on abc tv next week.
Re: Floating Brothel
Sian, Your documentary sounds fascinating. I am a descendant of Ann Marsh & her 4th husband William Chapman who had quite a large family; many of their descendants still reside in & around Sydney after 200 years. FYI quite a bit of information is known about Ann’s family in UK before she was transported to Sydney and any one interested should refer to document produced by Judy Williams on Ann Marsh at http://www.personal.usyd.edu.au/~rcowan/genealogy/AnnMarsh.htm or contact her at . See extract below:
“Ann Mash or Marsh, born on July 16, 1767 in Buckland Brewer, Devon, UK. was the sixth of the seven children of John Marsh and Mary Andrew, a family of four sons and three daughters. Her mother, Mary Andrew, born March 17, 1731, was the daughter of John Andrew and Mary Morrice, both of whom were born in the early 1700's, and who married in Buckland Brewer on August 3, 1728. John Marsh and Mary Andrew were married, also in Buckland Brewer, on June 3, 1754.
With another young woman, Mary Edwards, Ann was charged at the Assizes held at the Castle of Exeter in Devon on March 16, 1789, with stealing a bushel of wheat, the property of William Welland. Ann was then about 21 years of age. While both women were found guilty, they received different sentences, Mary Edwards, believed to be married, being fined six shillings and given six months hard labour, while Ann, a single woman, was sentenced to seven years' "beyond the seas", to the infant colony known as Botany Bay, and in due course, joined the 229 other women and six of their children on the "Lady Juliana" … In our early colonial records, Ann is known by both "Mash" and "Marsh".”
Ann went on to marry 4 times and become one of the first convict women to own and manage a number of business in Sydney, those being the Kings Head Tavern, in High St (modern day George St) Sydney & the Passenger Boat Service from Sydney to Parramatta. She held a Bank Account and could read & write, documents exist in the NSW State Archives of her partitioning Governor Lachlan Macquarie for convict indentured labour to help her run the passenger boat service to Parramatta after her husband William Chapman died in 1811. A number of her children where sent to the Sydney orphanage after Williams death. Ann died on March 7, 1823, her age given as 54 years.
Hope this help anyone interested in this industrious little lady!
Re: Floating Brothel
Dear Sian,
I read your excellent book and subsequently saw the TV version. I've been researching the general subject of transportation to Australia for some time now but haven't noticed any references to whether aborigines,as well as convicts, were 'employed' as servants/labourers by the better off free settlers. I'm particularly thinking of the period around 1830 rather than in later years, when I understand they were so employed.
I wonder if,in the course of your own research,you have read any references to this. Thanks.
Best wishes,
Peter Dunn
Re: Floating Brothel
Hi Sian,
My mum recently sent me on a bit of a quest to find information on her great-great-etc-grandmother named Mary Wade... so I eventually came across this forum.
I was wondering if you could give me any tips on where to start looking for the ancestors of Mary Wade? Mum's the genealogist, so I have no idea of the best places to search, here in England. I did see you mention the "Transportation Register" in the National Archives at Kew, but I imagine that would simply list Mary Wade. Would the court documents list Mary's parents, since she was a minor?
I haven't actually seen the "Floating Brothel" episode, so I'd like to purchase that, when it becomes available. How much would the PBS version differ? In title only?
http://shop.pbs.org/products/2139722
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/case_courtesans/index.html
Regards,
Pete
Re: Floating Brothel
I am a descendent of mary wade, I have read the floating brother and enjoyed it
Re: Floating Brothel
Hi Sian
I am a musician based in Liverpool Merseyside - I saw the program and was intrigued and moved by the story of the Lady Juliana.
I am in the process of writing a trilogy based on the voyage from 3 perspectives -
1 The journey - "Lady Juliana"
2 John Nicol - "John Nicol"
3 The story of - Mary Wade/Ann Marsh
1 and 2 are complete - working on 3.
I would like to send a recording of the songs to descendents living in Australia/New Zealand. How can I obtain contact details so I can forward the cd.(This is not a commercial proposition the cd would be a gift).
Hope you can help -
Neil Speers
[Edited by: admin on 11-Mar-2006 09:46]
This message has been edited to remove personal information.
Re: Floating Brothel
I mIssed the program. Is it possible to get a dvd? JILL Burnier
I'm sorry Jill, we are not aware that the BBC plan to bring this out on DVD. However, it was a very successful programme which means it might be repeated in about 6 months. It's a case of keeping your eye for it coming up in the radio times.
[Edited by: Mercia on 28-Feb-2006 10:53]
Re: Floating Brothel
Sian,
I remember seeing the book on my mum's shelf and being intrigued by the title. Having been to Port Arthur and spending a good deal of the time I was in Australia (in 1988!) in Sydney, anything on the subject of transportation interests me.
But I've never been a good reader, so I was very pleased to be able to watch the programme instead!
However, I was very surprised that you featured so little in the programme itself. The professional historians were very good, but I personally would have prefered a much greater input from you as the author of the book which provided the title. The Timewatch website made a lot of this!
No question: just comments!
Best wishes,
Jonathan Salisbury
Re: Floating Brothel
Watched the timewatch program with interest as I had already bought the book a few years ago.Luckely I taped the program so have been able to watch it again which naturally have raised the odd question.
It mentions that some of the women were sewing on the journey? Does this have anything to do with kits given by Elisabeth Fry (1780-1845) who is currently on our £5 notes
Would be interested to find that out if posible
Thanks says Eva-Helen Walker
Re: Floating Brothel
I liked the program and then read your book- what a shame it is only 248 pages- I have started reading it again.
Do you know how the London accent would have sounded and do you think there was a 'Received English' at that time or did people in the same region talk the same and what is your next book?
In the early 1940's we used to play on the Canals of Birmingham on a wall of the lock keepers house was an old rusty notice that said "Anyone damaging these locks will be subject to Transportation" I now know what that would have meant. regards Jim.
Re: Floating Brothel
Dear Sian,
I thoroughly enjoyed the Timewatch documentary, and have bought your book to add to the stack on London history that I have waiting to read!
As a London history enthusiast, I read with interest one of these posts that said the Clerkenwell House of Detention was the location used in the documentary. Can you tell me, was that the place you took Hoddy's decendant? Was it supposed to be Newgate Prison in the programme?
I was also depressed to read you say that they are now converting the House of Detention into underground offices. What a disgusting waste of a surviving piece of history. I can't believe that no heritage trust has bought it before now. Give them 50 years and they'll be regretting it, like many other historic buildings that have been destroyed. I was never able to visit the House of Detention before its closing. I wondered if you, or anyone else here happened to know if there is the opportunity for access before it gets converted? It is a place I would desperately love to visit.
Incidentally, I wondered if you have ever come across the Giltspur Street Compter that was: a little known treasure by all accounts. If you visit the Viaduct Tavern - one of the last remaining gin palaces in London - opposite the Old Bailey (was Newgate Prison) on Newgate Street, at a quiet time and buy a drink, the bar staff will be happy to take you into their cellars, where you can see the remains of the cells used when the site was used as the Giltspur Street Compter, a small prison, at the same time as Newgate.
Thanks for helping to keep history alive, Sian.
Lucy
[Edited by: James on 22-Feb-2006 17:02] To remove contact email address.
Re: Floating Brothel
Hi,
The house of detention is not being converted into offices. It is used as a film/photo shoot location and featured in most haunted, derren brown and used by madonna in one of her latest videos.
Re: Floating Brothel
Dear Sian,
I recently posted you with a request to establish whether an archive copy or DVD may be available of the Floating Brothel as featured on the 3rd February @ 9.00pm. Having made many enquiries through the BBC including their Public Shop in Tunbridge Wells I have had no luck. I have contacted their Education department but to no avail....if there are any BBC personel viewing please would you assist. From the comments mentioned I missed a very good programme.
Derek Glen
Re: Floating Brothel
Dear Derek,
I'm sorry that you missed the Timewatch programme 'The Floating Brothel'. I've spoken to the production department, who inform me that the BBC has no plans to repeat the programme in the near future.
Repeats tend to be on an ad hoc basis. However, this programme was extremely successful, which tends to mean that a repeat may be likely in the next six months, so it will be a case of watching out for it in Radio Times.
Hope this is helpful information.
Kind regards
Mercia (Moderator)
Re: Floating Brothel
can anyone tell me if i can get the book by john Nichols the blacksmith,which was featured on the program
Re: Floating Brothel
Do I deduce from your e-name that you have a professional interest? If so, I'm afraid you'll find John was more interested in the ladies than the anvil but you can buy his book on amazon.com or larger bookstores, published by Canongate.
Best wishes
Sian Rees
Re: Floating Brothel
Hi, I realise I am probably far too late for anyone to be looking at this thread now but I've got to try it.
My ancestor on the Lady Juliana was Mary Long and I am trying to build a picture of her. I think she was pregnant by the time she docked in Sydney and might have had a daughter who she also named Mary in 1800.
Do you have any recollection or information concerning Mary Long or James Ward (came out on the Surprise and married Mary)
Many thanks for any help anyone can give.
Kind regards,
Emma
Re: Floating Brothel
Hi Emma
In response to your posted message re Mary Long of the Lady Juliana, I have learned only in the last few years that I am also a descendant of Mary Long and James Ward, through one of their sons, John (b.1811). I recently read The Floating Brothel which gave me a wonderful insight into this remarkable voyage. Although I don't have any records about Mary giving birth to a daughter C.1800, I believe there is mention of her having a child to another convict (Petree or Petrie?) in 'The Second Fleet: Britain's grim convict Armada of 1790' by Michael Flynn, which you may already know. I think this happened before she settled down with James Ward. Happy to share with you what limited knowledge I have about our convict ancestry.
Regards
Paul
Re: Floating Brothel
Hello Paul,
I don't think I have came across you to date. I am also descended from John Ward and Sarah Collins, via their daughter Elizabeth Bridget. Probably may only have the same information as you, but we can check on what you know. I do have a photo purported to be of John Ward.
Regards,
Ray Feeney.
Apologies but we are unable to post personal email addresses onto the forum.
[Edited by: Mercia on 20-Jul-2006 09:40]
Re: Floating Brothel
> To anyone who's been intrigued by 'The Floating
> Brothel' documentary on BBC2: I'm the author of the
> book on which it was based and would be happy to
> answer any questions about it.
>
> Sian Rees
Congratulations to everyone concerned with the making of this spell-binding programme. It's always such a delight to be able to "experience" history via individual stories of those who actually lived it. Hearing the court reports and sentences brought the era to life for me. What really stopped me in my tracks was the realisation (and I feel a little foolish for not thinking about this before) that for the handful of women who were offered transportation rather than death, there was no contest - they preferred to die. As one of the professors on the programme said "To be sent to Aus in 1780 was rather like being sent to the moon today." As for Mary Wade, what a truly remarkable human being. Won't it be wonderful when the first time travelling machine appears on the market? She'll be in my top ten list of conversations! I'd love to read John Nicol's book - is it available in UK?
Re: Floating Brothel
I thought the programme was amazing! It gave us an insight into the world where these women lived. I have since read quite a bit on the young girl Mary Wade (because my daughter played the role in the film!) and agree with Barbara that she would also be on MY list of people to meet! Congratulations on the book, Sian, it really piqued a lot of interest in this period - what a fascinating group of women!