My Mum's paternal grandfather, George Sidney, came out on the last convict ship to Western Australia in 1868 - there is a photograph taken in 1923/4 of her as a baby, on his knee (he was a Ticket of Leave by then!). He was convicted of burglary and we THINK came from the Birmingham or Staffordshire areas ... (and we'd LOVE to find our Pommie Rellies!!)

Further back she is also descended from one William Thacker, convicted in London and who was in service at the founding of Albany in Western Australia in 1826 (earliest settlement).

We all LOVE the connections, but you're right, most folks of my grandmother's generation and before, hid the facts in shame. Consequently, it has been VERY hard for my Mum to find out about her/our heritage!!

Cheers!
R-J