Some wonderful person on the web that is on the other side of the family has done research back until the 1600s! The 1600s! It�s just amazing. We�ve now discovered that although the name was French sounding (and spelling) we weren�t French then. It seems to be even further back than that. Apparently they were quite established in the Shrewsbury area for years.

We also found that we DO have a convict history (on Mum�s side, not Dad�s) and that Mary Somebodyorrather (they all seemed to be called Mary then) came to Australia on the Neptune, sentenced to transportation and 7 years in Australia for stealing a handkerchief. Now when Mum told me this I nearly fell out of my seat.

There is a game called Rum Rebellion which is...going to be really hard to explain. Um. Okay here goes: You pick a character that is a convict with a specific sentence. The game board is in tiers and goes up like a pyramid. You start off on level one as a convict and then work your way up the tiers (getting your ticket of leave, becoming a free settler) etc. I think the purpose of the game is to get voted in to be Governor or something. I�ve never got that far. It�s like Monopoly in the way that it never seems to end.

Anyway, I would always pick the convict lady that was sentenced to transportation and 7 years for stealing a handkerchief.

Coincidence? I think not. Mary (later wife to Theophilus [congrats to the family for picking something other than John or Joseph to make the tracking easier]) could be speaking to me from beyond the grave!

I�d just like to take this time to point out that in real life I have never stolen a silk and muslin handkerchief from anyone. Ever.

That all settled? Excellent.

A small packet of sauce however...

Tyd

13 July 2006 - 11:32 am

Make your mark | 2 have left their mark

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