In the 1830′s there were labor riots in England as agricultural works attempted to get better working and living standards.  Some of those charged with various crimes were sentenced to Australia to serve out their time.  This made life for the families left behind very challenging.

Learning about the details of the cases, the individuals involved on both sides and even having the family history of the convicts makes Jill Chambers’ book Berkshire Machine Breakers an interesting read.

Jill’s book discusses the individual cases with testimony.  Excellent sources listed.

I look forward to the second edition of Berkshire Machine Breakers.