Search tips

The convict transportation registers database is searchable by:

• convict name
• ship name
• year of arrival
• any combination of the above
  

Search by keywords

The search box is available on each "Convict transportation registers" page.

Enter keywords into the search box and select the Go button.

When you do a search, a new browser window will open and you will automatically link to the convicts database.

Searching using wildcard characters

Using wildcard characters can be useful if you are uncertain of the spelling of a name or ship.

You can include the following wildcard characters in your searches:

? - To perform a single character wildcard search.

For example, do?se will find surnames Dowse and Douse

* - To perform a multiple character wildcard search.

For example, gr*m will find surnames such as Greetham and Gruntham

Search by name

Names can be searched for in two ways: First name then Last name or Last Name then First name.

Given names have sometimes been officially recorded in the registers in their abbreviated forms. For example, the names Robert, William and John may appear in the registers as Robt., Wm. and Jn. If you are having no success with the full form of the name, try the abbreviated versions.