The Journey

  The Convict Connection: From Chains to Legacy   Foundations: The Convict Era The following is my Convict Connection and   1 – Mary Turner (Wilks): A First Fleet Woman In the spring of 1785, nineteen-year-old Mary Turner stood trial in Worcestershire for theft. Convicted and sentenced to seven years’ transportation, she was torn from her homeland and thrust into the unknown. Two years later, she boarded the Lady Penrhyn , one of the eleven ships of the First Fleet. The voyage was brutal — cramped quarters, disease, and meagre rations — yet Mary survived, arriving at Sydney Cove in January 1788. Transferred to Norfolk Island in 1790, she endured isolation and hardship, returning to Port Jackson in 1793. In 1794, she began a relationship with David Batty, a Third Fleet convict. Together they had four children, though tragedy struck with the death of their infant son Richard. Mary herself died in 1808, buried in the Old Sydney Burial Ground. Her resilience embodi...

  Richard Yardy was aged 20 when he was convicted on the 7th January 1835 in Cambridge of stealing a jacket. And sentenced to 7yrs transportation.   He was sent on the ship “ Mary Ann” and arrived at New South Wales on the 31 Oct 1835. Marriage 7 May 1849 • West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia He married Bridget Gorman on 7 May 1849 in West Maitland, New South Wales. They had five children in 12 years. Mary Ann (1850–1890) John (1852–1940) Ellen Jane (1854–1940) William (1856–1939) Rose Anna (1862–1945)   Richard died on 3 October 1894 having lived a long life of 79 years. He is buried at     Bendolba Anglican Cemetery Bendolba, Dungog Shire, New South Wales, Australia Bridget Gorman (1833–1907) Bridget died on the 24 th Jan 1907 aged 76 and is buried with Richard at Bendolba Anglican Cemetery Bendolba, Dungog Shire, New South Wales, Australia     Richard and Bridget were my 3rd Great Grandparents  Daughte...