Abandoned Women

This was an interesting history Abandoned Women by Lucy Frost which traced a number of Scottish female convicts who arrived in Van Diemen's Land (later Tasmania) in 1838.  The author who now lives in Tasmania travelled to Scotland to see the original records of these women to learn the reason for their exile "beyond the seas."  She then describes their early life in Hobart Town and for those she was able to follow, their fate beyond their lives as convicts.  They varied in age.  Most of them were impoverished living in the squalor of Scottish cities making their living as best they could - mainly through prostitution and theft.  Some died fairly soon after their arrival.  Some had babies while imprisoned and the description of their treatment in these circumstances in heart-rending.  Some of the women continue their criminal lives while others saw the new land as an opportunity for a fresh start.  For those interested in Australian convict history, this is a good example of how they lived their lives. 3/5