Offer: Research details and photograph gravesites in Port Macquarie area

[Terry_Chadban]

Hi all,
Even most Australians don't know that Port Macquarie in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, was originally set up as a penal colony in 1821, mainly for multiple offenders from the penal colony in Sydney. Male re-offenders were mostly sent south to Van Deimens Land (Tasmania now), and the female re-offenders were sent north to Port Macquarie.

If you are researching a female convict relative and you lose the trail, it is possible that she may have been sent here. If anyone needs photographs of gravesites up this way, or research done, I am more than happy to help out. I can cover the area from Kempsey down to Taree and inland to Wauchope. Let me know if I can help.

Cheers,
Terry Chadban

[phenolphthalein]

Hi Terry
When Port macquarie was opened up to free settlers convicts were sent elsewhere and it ceased ro be a "punishment" settlement.  It retained some road gangs but by the mid to late 1830s most convicts sent there were "specials" ie those who were literate, invalided or had a trade or in the case of my ancestor all three.
After landing in Sydney he was sent on the Australian-built steamer William IV.  As he had spent no time in the colony before being sent to Port Macquarie, he had no time to have committed an offence to be "punished" for.
At that time Port Macquarie was considered to have the best weather in the colony.

Regards
pH

[Terry_Chadban]

Hi Terry
When Port macquarie was opened up to free settlers convicts were sent elsewhere and it ceased ro be a "punishment" settlement.  It retained some road gangs but by the mid to late 1830s most convicts sent there were "specials" ie those who were literate, invalided or had a trade or in the case of my ancestor all three.
After landing in Sydney he was sent on the Australian-built steamer William IV.  As he had spent no time in the colony before being sent to Port Macquarie, he had no time to have committed an offence to be "punished" for.
At that time Port Macquarie was considered to have the best weather in the colony.

Regards
pH

Port Macquarie still has "the best weather in the colony", even though climate change is slowly ruining it! That was why I moved up here when I 'retired'. I don't know whether or not you know this, but there is a replica of the original William The Fourth running around Newcastle Harbour, well worth a visit if anyone is in the Hunter region  of Australia.

Cheers,
Terry Chadban

[majm]

   Before Covid,  my husband and I would take our visitors on trips on William IV.  We are at Nords Wharf (Lake Macquarie) . 

JM

[Terry_Chadban]

  Before Covid,  my husband and I would take our visitors on trips on William IV.  We are at Nords Wharf (Lake Macquarie) . 

JM

I was born and raised in Islington, Newcastle. Been to Nords Wharf plenty of times for a day out. BTW, the William IV is still operating, but with reduced capacity at the moment, hopefully that will be lifted soon and we can all get back to what was normal.

Cheers,
Terry Chadban

[phenolphthalein]

I asked someone to photogtaph WilliamIV rgey said its no longer visible at Newcastle.

[majm]

I think someone has mis-informed you.

https://williamthefourth.org/ 

https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/5720293/restored-william-the-fourth-returns-to-newcastle-waters/

https://www.visitnewcastle.com.au/insider-guides/sailors-and-shipwrecks

JM

[Terry_Chadban]

I think someone has mis-informed you.

https://williamthefourth.org/ 

https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/5720293/restored-william-the-fourth-returns-to-newcastle-waters/

https://www.visitnewcastle.com.au/insider-guides/sailors-and-shipwrecks

JM

I can vouch for these links, and the fact that the replica William IV is still running around Newcastle Harbour, because I manage their website for them!   :-)

Cheers,
Terry