Henry Kirby/Kerby transportation.

[Taylor94]

I have an ancestor who was apparently transported to Australia for 15 years but I cant find him on convict records.

Henry Kirby/Kerby
Born 1803, Belgrave, Leicestershire, England.
In 1848 was sentenced to 15 years transportation for stealing potatoes. Henry was previously imprisoned in 1838 for two years for stealing sheep.
I cant seem to find him on convict records.
He isn't on the 1851 census with family and not on the 1861 census either.
It appears he made it back to England as he dies in Leicester in 1865.
Was he ever actually transported?

Any help appreciated.

[hanes teulu]

Checking FindMyPast prison records he appears to have been transferred from Leicester to Millbank Prison 14 Apr 1848. Note - extensive use of dittoes in records - but looks like Millbank was the destination.

The next record re. "REMARKS" states (I think!!)- and it is very difficult to read - " Discharg'd of Leander Hulk 12 Sep 1853". But I wouldn't bet my last ten bob that I'd read it correctly.

Around this period transportation was being reined in - the 1853 Act reflected this. Prospective transportees languished in hulks and the ticket of leave system was introduced whereby they remained at home.

As I say finding it difficult to read FindMyPast's record. - 

[Taylor94]

Thank you, for some reason I didn't think to check prison records on FindMyPast.

I think you are correct about it stating Leander Hulk. That's what it looks like to me.
Looks like he didn't go to Australia then. If he was discharged from Leander, I wonder where he went. He doesn't appear to go back to his family, at least not in 1861.

[hanes teulu]

I should have more faith - and put my last ten bob on the Leander!!
This was a time of change - transportation being reined in and convicts being kept at home. Being released early could mean a tough, very tough time. Seemed everyone was against you.   

[Dundee]

The next record re. "REMARKS" states (I think!!)- and it is very difficult to read - " Discharg'd of Leander Hulk 12 Sep 1853".

I am seeing that he was transported to Bermuda on the Neptune 8 Feb 1849.

The entry you are looking at says 'Died at Tenedos H. Hulk 12th Sep 1853'.  The Tenedos was a hospital hulk.  The title page of this document shows that it is a return of the convicts confined on the Dromedary convict hulk at Ireland Island, Bermuda, quarter ending 30th Sep 1853.

Debra 

[Dundee]

It appears he made it back to England as he dies in Leicester in 1865.

The only death that I can see in 1865 in Leicestershire was for an infant under 1 year.

Debra 

[Taylor94]

Thanks for that, That date had been on my tree for many years and when going back over my tree I never thought to check it.

Bermuda seems right now, Just looking over the records again.

So it appears like this (I think)
8th February 1849, Aboard the ship 'Neptune' heading to Bermuda.
Sept 1849, Aboard the Medway Hulk, Bermuda. Was here 1849-1852.
Dec 1852, Listed on the Medway list as transferred to Dromedary Hulk.
At some point between, transferred to Tenedos Hulk.
Dies 12 Sept 1853, Tenedos Hulk. (Having seen Tenedos here, I can see it clearly now on the record)

Thanks for all the help.

[hanes teulu]

The next record re. "REMARKS" states (I think!!)- and it is very difficult to read - " Discharg'd of Leander Hulk 12 Sep 1853".

I am seeing that he was transported to Bermuda on the Neptune 8 Feb 1849.

The entry you are looking at says 'Died at Tenedos H. Hulk 12th Sep 1853'. 

Thanks for clarifying - and to think I took delivery of new specs less than 3 weeks ago!