A DESCENDANT of former Leigh convicts shipped out to Australia in the last century, is seeking her ancestors.

Mrs Madge Roughley, of Mowbray, Tasmania, is anxious to hear from any living relatives of the family after Joseph Roughley and his son, James, were exiled.

She said the pair were convicted at Lancashire Quarter Sessions in 1817, along with Samuel Tyldesley, for theft.

They were found guilty and sentenced to seven years transportation.

They were jailed in Lancaster Castle and remained in prison for three months before being sent to the prison hulk, Bellerophon, although there is no record of Tyldesley entering it.

The Roughley father and son were banished to Sydney on the ship Tottenham, and the family never saw them again.

Mrs Roughley has outlined the facts she knows of the family:

Joseph Roughley (1759-1841), born Leigh, married Elizabeth Hunter, May 21 1786 at Leigh.

They had the following children: John, baptised April 21 1787, Leigh, married November 20 1810 Leigh to Elizabeth Blackburn.

James, baptised April 3 1789 at Leigh.

Ellen, baptised March 3 1791 at Leigh.

Ann, baptised September 3 1793, Bedford Wesleyan Methodist.

Margaret, baptised March 22 1795, Bedford Wesleyan Methodist, married September 1822 Leigh, Samuel Tyldesley.

Betty, baptised July 26 1797, Bedford Wesleyan Methodist.

Joseph (11) baptised December 7 1800, Bedford, married February 10 1823, Leigh, Ann Boardman.

Frances, baptised May 3, 1803, Bedford.

Matty, baptised November 19 1807, Bedford, married July 7 1823, Thomas Hardman.

Anyone who can help should write to Madge at PO Box 72, Mowbray, Tasmania 7248, Australia, or e mail her on laharbon@tassie.net.au

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