FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

This page is a collection of frequently asked questions about Convict Records. If you have a question or want to provide feedback, please use the chat icon in the bottom right of the screen to get in touch.

Is Convict Records free?

Yes! Convict Records was established in 2011, and has always been free to access.

What is the Supporter Club?

The Supporters Club is an optional membership program that allows you to support the team behind Convict Records and help us continue to grow and improve the platform. By joining, you directly support our work to preserve and expand Australia’s convict history, while enjoying exclusive features, and a 7-day free trial for our new supporters to explore everything before committing.

Where does the data come from?

convictrecords.com.au is based on the British Convict transportation register for convicts transported to Australia between 1787-1867.

Additional information, including convicts who were missing from the original database have been added by volunteer contributors.

You can find out more about the database on our resources page.

How can I contribute?

You can contribute to Convict Records by adding new convict records, editing existing records, and adding notes to convict profiles.

Your contributions help to build a more comprehensive resource for researchers and family historians, and you will be credited for your work.

If you have already registered, you can login to your account start contributing straightaway. If you haven’t registered yet, no worries—just create an account on the site, and you’ll be ready to contribute in no time.

Note that contributions are moderated, and we will remove anything that is offensive or unreasonable.

How can I download a list of convicts?

Supporters Club members can download the complete convict list from any voyage in Excel format (.cvs).

To use this feature, simply visit the voyage page you’re interested in and click the “Export Convicts” button. You can start with a 7-day free trial to explore this and other exclusive features.

If you have already part of the Supporters Club, you can login to your account and start downloading convict lists right away. If you haven’t registered yet, no worries—just create a free account on the site and start your trial today

Can I add a convict record?

To add a new convict record, click on the "Add Convict" button located in the top right corner of the Convicts page. You will be redirected to a form where you can enter the convict's information. Once you have finished, click on the "Save" button to submit the record.

Please note that depending on your experience level , you might need to wait for approval before your changes are published and visible on the site.

Can I edit a convict record?

Any registered user can edit a convict record.

To edit an existing convict record, visit the convict profile you want and clicking on the "Edit" button located at the top right of the page, next to the convict's name. You will be redirected to a form where you can add or edit the convict's information. Once you have finished, click on the "Save" button to submit your changes.

Please note that depending on your experience level , you might need to wait for approval before your changes are published and visible on the site.

What are convict notes?

Convict notes are user-submitted contributions to a convict's record. Any registered user has the ability to add a note, helping to enrich the historical record with additional insights.

You will also gain experience points for your contributions, which will help you to level up and unlock new features on the site.

How do I add a convict note?

Any registered user can add a note to a convict record.

To add a note to a convict record go to the "Convict Notes" section on the convict's profile page and click on the + icon next to the "Convict Notes" heading. You will be prompted to enter your note and depending on your experience level you might need to wait for approval before it is published and visible on the convict page.

To view any pending convict contributions you can also visit Convict Notes page.

How do I edit a convict note?

Any registered user can edit a note to a convict record.

You can edit a note by clicking on the options menu indicated by the three dots next to your contribution that you want to edit.

Please note that your experience level will determine if you can edit a note or if that note requires further moderation.

Why can't I see my notes?

If you cannot see your note, it is likely that they are still pending approval or have been rejected. Pending notes are not visible on the convict page but they can be viewed on the Convict Notes page.

What are the experience levels?

As you contribute to Convict Records, you earn experience points (EXP) that increase your level. Your level determines your tier, and each tier unlocks additional permissions on the site.

There are four tiers: Convict (Lv. 1-19), Ticket of Leave (Lv. 20-39), Free Settler (Lv. 40-49), and Governor (Lv. 50+). Lower-tier contributions are subject to moderation, while higher tiers can contribute directly.

You can view your current level and tier progression on your profile.

How do I earn experience points?

You earn experience points (EXP) every time you contribute. Adding a note to a convict, editing a convict profile, and contributing to ships all award EXP. The more accurate and complete your contributions are, the faster you progress.

For a full breakdown of how much each action is worth, see the Experience Guide table in What are the experience levels?

Can I lose experience or drop a level?

No. Experience points only ever go up, and your level stays with you. Once you've reached a tier, you keep it. There is no decay for taking a break, and we do not deduct points if a contribution is later revised or replaced.

Is there a maximum level?

The highest level on Convict Records is 500. You reach the top tier (Governor) at Level 50, which unlocks every permission on the site. Beyond that, your level keeps climbing as a record of your contribution, though no new permissions unlock past Level 50.

Why do you ask for my email address?

Your email address is required to ensure we can contact you.

• We WILL NOT send you spam, or share your email address with any third parties, unless required by law
• We WILL send you important transactional emails about your account (for example, when a convict you have claimed is updated by someone else)