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Orphan Number: 713

Orphan: Mary Ann BUTLER
Mother: BUTLER, Margaret
Father: ,
Mother's ship: Tasmania 2
Father's ship:
Age when admitted: 2yrs
Date admitted: 14 May 1846, 7 Dec 1855
Date discharged: 10 Jun 1851, 7 Jan 1859
Institutions(s): Queens Orphan School
Discharged to: mother, Ticket of Leave, Mrs Mary O'Boyle, Hobart
Remarks: Readmitted Queens Orphan School after mother's death - step-father in gaol for manslaughter of mother
References:SWD7, 28, CSD1/71/1818

You can claim this Orphan here

Claimed by Dianne Snowden. You can send a message to Dianne Snowden by email

Dianne Snowden wrote:

Friends of the Orphan Schools

Mary Ann Butler was the sister of William Butler, also in the Orphan School. Both arrived with their convict mother from Ireland on the Tasmania (2) in December 1845. Their mother died in tragic circumstances in Hobart in 1855. Both Mary Ann and William moved to NSW.

Two detailed articles, published online by the Irish journal, Carlow Past and Present, are Oonagh Warke's 'The Law Must Take its Course' and Dianne Snowden's 'These Unfortunate Females'.  Both focus on convicts Esther Burgess and her daughter Mary; Margaret Butler; Mary Griffin; and Mary Byrne. All but Mary Burgess brought children with them;  the children were admitted to the Orphan Schools shortly after arrival.

See also the THRA article: 'A Most Humane Regulation'
Snowden, Dianne. 'A Most Humane Regulation'?: Free Children Transported with Convict Parents [online]. Papers and Proceedings: Tasmanian Historical Research Association, Vol. 58, No. 1, Apr 2011: 33-41. Availability:<http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=007373952042133;res=IELHSS> ISSN: 0039-9809. [cited 15 May 15].


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 Site last updated March 2025