AI Brings 19th Century Welsh Convicts to Life in Australia

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has played a pivotal role in reconstructing the faces of Welsh convicts deported to Australia during the 19th century. Researchers, alongside a team of dedicated volunteers, have developed profiles for 60 individuals from Anglesey, who were transported for various offenses, some as minor as stealing a handkerchief.

The project utilized comprehensive prisoner records, historical sketches, and modern photographs of descendants to create potential likenesses of these convicts. Many of those deported were guilty of theft, often repeat offenders; however, some faced transportation for seemingly trivial crimes, such as trampling on turnips belonging to local aristocrats. In total, approximately 162,000 convicts were sent to Australia, with at least 1,000 originating from Wales.

Revisiting History Through Technology

Among the notable figures in this historical narrative is John Frost, a prominent leader of the Chartist movement involved in the Newport Rising. Initially sentenced to death, his punishment was later commuted to transportation to Van Diemen’s Land, now known as Tasmania. This project highlights the harsh realities faced by those convicted during this period, with many receiving severe sentences for relatively minor infractions.

Roger Vincent, a volunteer guide at Beaumaris Gaol in Anglesey, has been instrumental in this research. The gaol operated for nearly 50 years in the 1800s, housing both men and women in a silent environment where any talking could result in solitary confinement. After visiting Australia, Vincent grew curious about the connections between the two regions. “I was amazed how many people had been transported to Australia,” he noted, leading him to uncover the stories of 60 Anglesey islanders who faced deportation.

Vincent dedicated significant time to exploring archives in Llangefni, Anglesey, and discovered that many of the crimes and the resulting sentences were notably harsh when viewed through a contemporary lens. Deportation was often a consequence of three key factors: overcrowded prisons in the UK and Ireland, the high expense of incarceration, and the demand for manual labor in Australia.

Legacy and Descendants

Remarkably, it is estimated that around 20% of Australians are descendants of convicts, with that figure rising to nearly 70% in Tasmania. Professor Hamish Maxwell-Stewart, an expert in convict history, commented on the evolving perception of Australia’s convict past. Once regarded as a “badge of shame,” having convict ancestry is increasingly viewed with pride, especially in Tasmania.

One significant outcome of Maxwell-Stewart’s research is the creation of the Unshackled memorial in Hobart, which has become a highly-rated experience on Tripadvisor. The memorial serves as a reminder of the complex legacy of convicts in shaping Australian society.

Caterina Giannetti, a direct descendant of Ann Williams, who was transported from Wales to Hobart in 1842 after being sentenced to 10 years for theft, expressed her fascination with her family’s history. “It’s really fascinating to know where you’ve come from,” she stated, embracing the excitement of tracing her origins. For many Australians, having a convict in their lineage is now considered a source of pride.

This innovative project, merging AI technology with historical research, not only brings the faces of these long-forgotten individuals to life but also enriches our understanding of the shared histories between Wales and Australia.