Finding Ned

"Finding Ned" is a story of hard work - hard research and the hard graft of an early Australian convict. It took many years' research to break down the brick walls and uncover Ned Collins' story. The more Chris Sutton dug through the records, the more interesting Ned's story became. The life of Great-great-great- Grandpa Ned is fascinating. 

Arriving in Sydney in chains, a convicted highwayman, from Ned's first step on Australian soil he experienced the birth and growing pains of our country. Edmund Collins' transportation to NSW gave him the opportunity to make a new life for himself and leave his criminal past behind. While struggle and hard work always seemed to be his lot in life, and he didn't quite cease his roguish behaviour, Ned's story is very much that of every British settler since The First Fleet. He arrived, settled in, established a new way of life and living, married, worked at his trade and struggled to raise a family in tough conditions.

If our parents or grandparents knew of their convict roots, it was never mentioned. Like many family skeletons, it was kept discreetly in the cupboard. Convicts were not always regarded as altogether 'couth' by previous generations. The current generations, however, are delighted to be descended from Australian Royalty.