AustLit

'The Convict’s Daughter is a historical biography of Mary Ann Gill, a first-generation Australian woman born to convict parents in Sydney, New South Wales. Written over a period of nine years, and driven, in part, by her ancestral connection to the main character, Kiera Lindsey offers an innovative addition to the historical writings on the period. The opening chapters of the book introduce us to Mary Ann as a fifteen-year-old girl who is determined to marry gentlemen settler, James Butler Kinchela. The ensuing scandal and events that follow are set against the tumultuous political and social conditions of the 1840s as the colony attempted to progress beyond its penal origins. Written from the perspective of this remarkable young woman, Lindsey avoids traditional historical conventions that often rely on the views of official documentation and their authors, to ensure the day-to-day experiences of colonial life remain the focus of the book – experiences which notably demonstrate the importance and lasting influence of women in the growth and success of Australia’s fledgling colonies.' (Introduction)