A history which recreates the lives of women convicts and convict's wives transported to New South Wales from Britain and Ireland between 1787 and 1828. Derived from contemporary records, it records their achievements and contribution to society. Includes extensive lists of women transported, a name index, and general index. Awarded the inaugural Marjorie Barnard Literary Award by the Society of Women Writers (NSW) in 1990. The author is associate professor of history at Macquarie University.