AustLit

'Memorandoms is written by a convict who escaped from Botany Bay in 1791 as part of what is popularly known as the Mary Bryant group. Although another man may have contributed while they were confined in Newgate jail, and it probably drew on the lost journal of William Bryant, the book begins boldly with the statement: “I James Martin …” Largely written in Martin’s hand, it’s a contemporaneous, day-by-day description of the voyage from Port Jackson to Timor.' (Introduction)

'Sarah Goldman’s biography of 19th-century humanita­rian Caroline Chisholm vividly conveys­ the flesh-and-blood reality of someone long stereotyped as ‘‘rotund and frumpy’’ and too virtuous to be interesting. It is full of surprises about her character and her work.' (Introduction)

'Lesley Potter’s Mistress of Her Profession opens with the gripping case study of midwife Sarah Ann Hopkins, who immigrated to NSW with her family in 1848. Few midwives had formal credentials at the time, but Hopkins held a midwifery diploma by direct instruction from the Westminster Lying-in Hospital in London.

'On Hopkins’s voyage to Australia aboard the Steadfast she was appointed to the voluntary position of matron, working under surgeon superintendent John Read. Their team consisted of two assistant matrons and a male nurse attendant. Potter says the records reveal “the stress, anxieties, strenuous nursing and midwifery care” that confronted them.' (Introduction)

'Why is it that Australians are still misled by myths about their convict heritage? Why are so many family historians surprised to find a convict ancestor in their family trees? Why did an entire society collude to cover up its past?

'Babette Smith traces the stories of hundreds of convicts over the 80 years of convict transportation to Australia. Putting a human face on the convicts' experience, she paints a rich picture of their crimes in Britain and their lives in the colonies. We know about Port Arthur, Norfolk Island, chaingangs and floggings, but this was far from the experience of most. In fact, most convicts became good citizens and the backbone of the new nation. So why did we need to hide them away?

'Australia's Birthstain rewrites the story of Australia's convict foundations, revealing the involvement of British politicians and clergy in creating a birthstain that reached far beyond convict crimes. Its startling conclusion offers a fresh perspective on our past.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A Cargo of Women traces the chequered story of one hundred women transported together in 1829 on the ship Princess Royal. ... Through imaginative use of detailed research, Babette Smith presents a patchwork image of individual lives that are both rich and varied, and often poignantly tragic. ... Framing them all is the story of the indomitable Susannah Watson ...'

Includes correspondence written by Susannah Watson to her daughter in England.

(Libraries Australia record)