Discover your convict history on 29-30 August 2026 at this drop-in event at the Cascades Female Factory.
Convict Connections is a free drop-in event. Walk-ins always welcome.
Register your interest to receive event updates.
Every family has a story.
Convict Connections 2026 is a free two-day event exploring family history, convict ancestry and Tasmania's past. Bring your questions, meet specialist researchers, and learn practical techniques to uncover connections to Australia's convict history.
Drop in anytime between 10am – 3pm over the weekend and learn how to:
- Trace your convict ancestors
- Use archival records and convict databases
- Build your family tree
- Interpret historical documents
This free event is an opportunity to research whether you have connections to Tasmania's convict past - including the approximately 13,500 women transported to Van Diemen's Land.
Whether you already know your family tree or are just beginning your journey of discovery, Convict Connections offers a unique opportunity to connect with Tasmania's past and explore the stories that live on through generations.
Register your interest to receive event updates.
Dates: 29-30 August 2026
Time: 10am - 3pm
Location: Cascades Female Factory, 16 Degraves Street, South Hobart
Cost: Free! Drop-in throughout the day to chat with 15+ experts in family history & genealogy.
A WORLD HERITAGE-LISTED CONVICT SITE
The Cascades Female Factory is one of Australia’s most significant convict heritage sites – sharing the extraordinary stories of the women who were transported across the world and forced into a system designed to punish and control.
But their stories are not only stories of hardship.
They are stories of resistance, resilience and humanity. More than a historic site, Cascades Female Factory is a place of reflection, connection and remembrance.
BOOK YOUR ENTRY TICKETWHAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR ENTRY TICKET
Access to the ruins and over 30 historic buildings
Immersive house museums
Regular guided tours and short walks
Scenic harbour cruise
Self-guided audio experience
Getting Here
The Cascades Female Factory Historic Site is located beneath kunanyi/Mount Wellington in South Hobart, just minutes from Hobart’s city centre.
Join us at Convict Connections 2026 and learn more about your family history.
Free Event
Convict Connections is a free event. Drop in throughout the day to meet historians, researchers and heritage organisations, discover new resources, and explore your family history.
Continue the Story
While you're here, deepen your understanding of Tasmania's convict past with a guided Convict Women's Tour. Tours run throughout the day and can be booked alongside your visit.
A free family history event
Who You'll Meet at Convict Connections 2026
Discover yours at this free family history and genealogy event.
Maureen is a professional Tasmanian Historian with a passion for uncovering and sharing Tasmania's rich history. With years of experience in historical research, she specialises in family history, local history, and heritage interpretation.
Maureen Martin Ferris
Dianne Snowden
Dianne is a Tasmanian historian specialising in convict history and the children of the Orphan Schools. She is President of the Female Convicts Research Centre Inc., founder of the Friends of the Orphan Schools, and Chair of the Cascades Community Advisory Committee.
FROM THE SHADOWS
Kristyn Harman
Professor Kristyn Harman is a historian and academic at the University of Tasmania, with expertise in Australia's colonial past and convict history. Alongside her research, she plays a leading role in academic governance as Chair of Academic Senate and a member of the University's Executive Team.
UTAS
Dr. Imogen Wegman
Dr Imogen Wegman is a Lecturer in Humanities at the University of Tasmania and Coordinator of the University's online Family History program. Her research explores everyday life in colonial Australia, using digital tools to uncover the stories of people and places from the past.
UTAS
Kate Bagnall
Kate Bagnall is a social historian whose research explores migration, family, and law in the British settler colonial world. She is widely recognised for her work on Chinese Australian history, with a particular focus on women, children, families, and colonial immigration policy.
UTAS
Dr. Christina Henri
Dr Christina Henri is a conceptual artist whose work brings the stories of Australia's convict women to audiences around the world. Inspired by the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site, she has served as its honorary Artist in Residence since 2003 and has dedicated her career to sharing these important histories through art.
ROSES FROM THE HEART
Ros Escott
Rosalind (Ros) Escott AM has made outstanding contributions to breastfeeding education, convict women’s history and family history research. What connects these passions is her dedication to women and their children. In 2023, she was created a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to women's health and to the community.
CONVICT WOMEN'S PRESS
Dr. Jody Steele
Dr Jody Steele is an archaeologist and heritage professional with more than 25 years of experience across archaeology, cultural heritage, museums, and visitor experience. Her work spans heritage management, exhibition development, interpretation, and the conservation of significant historic places throughout Tasmania.
TASMANIAN MUSEUM & ART GALLERY (TMAG)
