jenna morency

Postgraduate Fulbright Scholar

Media Profile

Although it is well known that for much of the 19th century Great Britain sent convicted criminals to penal settlements in the land that was later known as Australia, a process dubbed transportation, very little attention has been paid to the relatively few prisoners who came from North America. Among that minority of transported North American convicts were ninety-three American citizens transported to the antipodean island of Van Dieman’s Land for their role in the failed Canadian Rebellion of 1837-38.

Jenna Morency, from the University of Maine Farmington, has won a Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship to undertake research at the University of Tasmania in Australia in 2008. Jenna will arrive in February to commence research on British imperialism and colonial Australia, through the study of the ninety-three American prisoners who were transported to Australia in 1837-1838. The study, American Prisoners in the Antipodes: A Unique Experience, will use records from the Archives Office of Tasmania.

“As a result of their nationality, sense of superiority, and high rate of return to American, the experience of these men was unique. Studying the experiences of these Americans will enhance understanding of British imperialism, the Australian convict experience, and the early relations of the U.S. to Britain and British colonies,” Jenna said.

Jenna explains that because convict history was seen as “tainted”, except for a minority of scholars who published work debating the character of transported convicts, it was largely ignored until the end of World War II. In the post-war period, Australia’s convict past ceased to be a stain and turned instead to a source of pride. Thus the historiography of Australian transportation truly begins after World War II.

“Despite their minority status, the transported Americans left behind a rich, albeit overlooked, legacy of historical documents. Several American transportees produced memoirs detailing their experiences, their views on Canada, their trials, and life in Van Dieman’s land. These sources will answer questions about how the Americans felt throughout their imprisonment and if they received preferential treatment from authorise throughout the hierarchy, from convict overseers all the way to the governor himself.”

Jenna believes this research will cast light onto an often-forgotten aspect of American, Australian, and British imperial history. Further, it will enhance understanding of a unique event which shows the strength and reach of British imperialism, demonstrate early ties between the United States and Australia, and help educate Americans about early Australian history. Jenna was on the Dean’s List, University of Maine Farmington 2003-2006.

When Jenna returns from her Fulbright Scholarship she will pursue graduate studies in the U.S. and would like to begin a career in historical research and contribute to American knowledge of Australian history.