Did my convict ancestor stay in Australia, or return to the UK?

QMy ancestor Thomas Stubbs was found guilty of theft in 1840 and transported to Botany Bay for 10 years. I have established that he was on board the Eden, which sailed in July that year. Recently, I discovered that he was granted a Ticket of Leave Passport on 16 July 1849 on the recommendation of the commissioner of crown lands, Darling Downs in Queensland. Can you please advise how I might be able to discover what happened after that? Did Thomas Stubbs stay in Australia, or return to the UK? If he stayed, did he die there and how would that be registered?

Barry Hawkes

It can be difficult to trace a convict once their sentence has expired. Thomas Stubbs is not a common name, and there is only one Thomas in the online death index for New South Wales ( nsw.gov.au/ births-deaths-marriages). He died at Windsor in 1865/6438, and his parents are recorded as Joseph and Mary A. There are two marriages in the online

A

1 BEARSKIN

The bearskin is exclusive to the Guards regiments (and indeed is still worn today). The dark blue, tall and domed helmet with spike was worn by other regiments from 1878, although it was much less used after 1905.

2 LACE

Rank was indicated by the amount and style of lace, from 1880 to 1902.

3

COLLAR BADGES

The hunting-horn badge indicates Light Infantry. The badges of the officers beside him have ‘fusils’, old-fashioned grenades, for Grenadier Guards.

4 MEDALS

The medals are the Queen’s South Africa (QSA) and King’s South Africa (KSA) Medals awarded for service in the Second Boer War 1899–1902.

5

HELMET BADGE

This officer’s helmet badge shows the “A” for “Alexandra” surmounted by a coronet, with a scroll beneath.