Name, deceased before 1931, from Obituary of son’s, Mr. William Radnidge, as published in Cessnock Eagle, 20 October 1931, and found in November 2023:
…With his father, the late John Radnidge, he carried on sheep raising in partnership with the late Bowman Bros…

Year and place of birth, date and place of marriage, date and place of death, from Geneanet found in November 2023:
https://gw.geneanet.org/robynb?lang=en&pz=roby...=radnidge&oc=277
Name: John Radnidge
Birth Year: 1808
Birth Place: England
Marriage Date: 13 October 1845
Marriage Place: Singleton, NSW Australia (Singleton), New South Wales, Australie (Australia)
Death Date: 31 July 1883
Death Place: Glendon Brook, NSW Australia (Glendon Brook), New South Wales, Australie (Australia)
Spouse: Rosannah Clarke
Children: John Radnidge, Sylvia Radnidge, William Hilton Radnidge

Conviction
Conviction date and place and transportation to New South Wales from the Australian Convict Transportation Register, found in November 2023:
Name: John Radnidge
Vessel: Claudine
Convicted Date: 4 Apr. 1829
Voyage Date: 19 Aug. 1829
Colony: New South Wales
Port of Arrival: Sydney Cove
Date of Arrival: 6 Dec. 1829
Place of Conviction: Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
Estimated Birth Year: Circa 1809

Application to Marry
Entry in the New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Convicts' Applications to Marry, found in November 2023:
Convict's Name: John Radridge
Convict's Age: 36 [Born circa 1809]
Convict's Ship: Claudine
Convict's Sentence: Life
Convict's Condition: Healthy
Intended Spouse's Name: Rosanna Clarke
Intended Spouse's Age: 20 [Born circa 1825]
Intended Spouse's Ship: A native of the colony
Date of Permission: 30 September 1845
Clergyman: Irving Hetherington, Singleton, New South Wales

Pardon Granted
Details of offence and trial, pardon date, from the New South Wales, Australia, Convict Registers of Conditional and Absolute Pardons, found in November 2023:
Name: John Radnage
Pardon Date: 23 May 1846
Ship: Claudine
Master: Heathorn
Year: 1829
Native Place: Bristol
Trade or Calling: Ship Carpenter
Offence: Highway Robbery
Place of Trial: Bristol
Date of Trial: 4 Apr. 1829
Sentence: Life
Year of Birth: 1909
Height: 5 feet 8 inches
Complexion: Ruddy freckled
Hair: Light Brown
Eyes: Hazel

Entry in the Australian Royalty website, found in November 2023:
https://australianroyalty.net.au/tree/purnellmccor...I71891/John-Radnidge
Name: John Radnidge
Birth: about 1810, England
Immigration: 6 December 1829 (aged 19 years), Sydney Cove, Greater Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Immigration Text: John Radnidge, one of 180 convicts transported on the ship 'Claudine', 19 August 1829.
Sentence Details: Convicted at Bristol (City) Session of Peace Oyer and Terminer and Gaol delivery for a term of life.
Immigration Vessel: Claudine.
Immigration Date of Departure: 19 August 1829.
Immigration Place of Arrival: New South Wales.
Marriage: To Rosannah Clarke, 13 October 1845 (aged 35 years), Maison Dieu, Hunter, New South Wales, Australia
Death: 31 July 1883 (aged 73 years), Glendonbrook, Hunter, New South Wales, Australia

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Australian Royalty
Britain used transportation to distant lands as a way of getting rid of prisoners. After Britain lost its American colonies in 1783 the jails of England were full. So, Australia, which had recently been claimed for the British Crown by Lieutenant James Cook, was chosen as the new destination.

Only a generation or so ago, descendants of convicts were ashamed of their heritage. However, since the 1988 bicentenary, it has become increasingly fashionable to discover a convict ancestor. Early arrivals, especially on the first fleet, were particularly welcome finds with convict ancestry one of the most sought-after prizes of genealogical inquiry.

Then, in January 2008, the first episode of the first season of the Australian version of the television series, "Who do you think you are"?, featured Australian award-winning actor, Jack Thompson, who quipped that, "these day, unlike times gone by, having a convict ancestor gives you the status of Australian royalty".

The new penal colony and British settlement in Australia was planned for Botany Bay, today the location of Sydney airport. However, Botany Bay was not as hospitable as first thought. The bay was shallow, there was not a large supply of freshwater, and the land was not fertile.

A beautiful harbour in Port Jackson to the north was discovered and had all those qualities. They named it after the British Home Secretary, Lord Sydney. They made this the site, Sydney Cove, for the new colony. The first ships (First Fleet) landed there, at present day Circular Quay, on 26 January 1788. This date today is being celebrated as Australia’s national holiday, Australia Day.

When transportation ended in 1868, over 150,000 convicts had been transported to New South Wales and other Australian colonies. Most convicts stayed in Australia after serving their sentences, and some became well-known, important people within the Australian colonies.

Some references:
https://guides.sl.nsw.gov.au/convicts-bound-for-australia
https://www.visitsydneyaustralia.com.au/history-5-first.html
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBri...onvicts-to-Australia/
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBri...onvicts-to-Australia/

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