Hi Emily, I have been going through my records and came across the following on the Heaney children:
"Launceston Advertiser 2 September 1841. Quarter Sessions. James Heaney, a youth of about 12 years of age, was charged with the misdemeanour of assaulting John Radley on 27 May last. Mr Atkinson, who appeared for the defendant, objected to the information, on the grounds that it was signed by ex Attorney General Edward McDowell Esq instead of Mr Horne. There was no such person in existence as Edward McDowell Attorney General of Van Dieman's Land. Mr Kennedy contended that the objection was not valid, since the information was upon the files of the court prior to Mr McDowell's suspension. The court decided that the objection was valid, and the defendant was subsequently discharged. Occupation Splitter and labourer."
Also attached to this information was the following:
"Sometime between 1842 and 1857, James Heaney changed his name to Smith. A family story says that he got into some trouble in Sydney and had to change his name. The Victorian Police records show a James Smith, born 1830 in Van Dieman's Land, arrived per the David around 1847 and he has brothers in the colony. It could refer to the above mentioned James Smith. Death - died at Picnic Point, Bairnsdale. Picnic point is the north-western corner of Bairnsdale, totally within the town, and going down to the Mitchell River. In 1897 the main industry was C.J. Goodman's Picnic Point nursery, a large wholesale nursery mainly dedicated to rising fruit trees. The cause of death was bronchitis and cardiac disease (7 days). Adoption 1841 Queens Orphanage, Hobardtown. James Heaney 14 years, parents dead, admitted 7 September 1841, discharged 24 January 1842. Louisa Heaney, 7 years, admitted 8 September 1841, discharged 24 January 1842. James baptism 15 Feb 1829 at Roman Catholic Church, Hobart. Baptitus est Jacobus. Parentibus: Ricardo Heaney et Maria Anna Cooper. Sponsoribus: Jacobo Brennan et Margarita McMahon. Cemetery/Burial 03/10/1897. Buried at Bairnsdale cemetery. Godparents: James Brennan and Margaret McMahon."
How interesting that James and Louisa were put in an orphanage for 4 months. I suppose her sister, Charlotte needed the time to get to Tasmania and there was no where else for them to go. How very sad.
I hope this gives a little more substance for you.
cheers
Jill