We stumbled across this fabulous place by chance, it’s free, provides clever audio explaining its history and Sydney’s first workforce .. the individuals transported for what we today would deem insignificant, some of these were merely children !
Cleverly put together as you start on the second floor which originally housed convicts, the sleeping room must have been hellish in its day. Up to 70 men would have shared this space in hammocks ..
second floor, tells of early Sydney and how within the space of 20 or so years became a bustling town. The ground floor is of hope housing young women many of whom relocated after the potato famine in Ireland .. and how they integrated in to the community many of whom went into service.
I appreciate this is not related but for those who may be interested. I have no claim on the book just found it to be an enjoyable read.
I read a book some time ago called ‘the floating brothel’ a book written as a result of tracing ancestors, crime punishment, transportation and how lives were forged in what must have been quite a hostile environment.