The Next Meeting of the Group will be held on:
Monday September 18, from 11:00am – 1:00pm
At The Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre,
251 Faraday St. Carlton, Meeting Room 3
No Ordinary Convict: a Welshman called Rebecca, a talk by Janine Marshall Wood
The Rebecca Riots (1839 – 1844), a protest movement that galvanised and amused much of the Western world, was known for its audaciousness and humour. Young farmers disguised as women, with faces blackened, sought to alleviate the hardship of unfair tollgate charges in rural Wales. One of its leaders (or Rebeccas) was John Hughes (Jac Ty-isha in Welsh), who is the subject of Janine’s recent book No Ordinary Convict: a Welshman called Rebecca – he is also Janine’s great-great-grandfather, who was sent to Van Diemen’s Land.
Copies of Janine’s book will be available for purchase on the day at the discounted price of $40.
On this occasion, Janine will answer questions posed by Ian Hind, DOCs treasurer, about the book, its genesis, content, and tips and tools involved in the research. Ian will pose the question “What is an ordinary convict?” and there will be an opportunity for the audience to pose their own questions too.
Janine Marshall Wood grew up in Macleod and Greensborough but eventually lived in PNG, Sunshine Coast, Wagga, Canberra, Bendigo and Deloraine (Tasmania) before returning to Melbourne in 2003. While in those locations, she gained two degrees and two secondary teaching diplomas from studying at five different universities, most by distance education. First an English/History teacher, then a French teacher, she now devotes herself to family, friends, genealogy, writing, reading, and card making.
For members and others wanting to join by Zoom you will need the following ID and passcode:
Meeting ID: 857 0288 3385 Passcode: 686495
About the Descendants of Convicts Group Inc.
In early 1981, some members of the Genealogical Society of Victoria felt that as there was an increasing interest in convicts and the convict system of Australia, the formation of a group dedicated to the promotion of this interest would be beneficial.
On 2 May of that year, about 30 members met and it was agreed to form a group for those who could claim a convict forebear who had been transported to an Australian colony, in penalty of crime, between 1788 and 1868, or for those who had a special interest in convicts.
It was decided to call this The Descendants of Convicts Group.
The aims of the Group are to educate participating members on matters pertaining to the convict system. These matters will include:
- Conditions which prevailed in the United Kingdom and the Australian colonies at the time
- The Transportation system
- Relevant sources of information both within the United Kingdom and Australia
- Processes for tracing ones ancestry and levels of proof required for Group membership
- Matters of general genealogical interest
These aims are achieved through regular meetings, field visits, workshops and social events.
In 1992 the Group became incorporated under the name The Descendants of Convicts Group Victoria Incorporated which was later changed to remove the word "Victoria" because we were recognized Australia wide.
Why not join us and become a member? If you have questions, please check home page email.
Committee
The current committee members of the Descendants of Convicts Group Inc. are:
President: Glenn Golds (phone: 0468 799 473)
Vice President: Alan Bartlett
Secretary: Bronwyn Quint (email:
Honorary Treasurer: Ian Hind
Examiner of Proofs: Julie Dworak
Webmaster: Glenn Arkell (
Newsletter Editor: Jenny Ford (email:
Committee: Lyn Bardon
Mary Golds
Kathleen Hall
To clarify any confusion around the Facebook entity called Descendants of Convicts private group, this is not us. We are not affiliated with this group in any way.