G'day Gerry,

Well ... there were also a bunch of the usual invasion troops and officers - and many of those did well out here ... beyond the tiresome reach of civil laws. Many ot their progeny might see themselves in terms closer to the DAR ... but Australians who have compared the achievements of both sides of the ledger - especially in terms of benefit for the modern society - would be very happy to be descended from the First Fleet convicts.

My earliest known arrivals to Australia were free settlers ... but 'economic refugees' ... a bit before the Irish Famine. However, at least one of those fed her rebellious views on British rule to her family ... in ways that still resound in our folk memory.

Regards,

Bob