Hi I'm doing research into the African-American John Randall who was born around 1765 in New Haven Connecticut USA He somehow ended up in Manchester, England and was sent as a convict from there to NSW Australia on the First Fleet in 1788. Have not been able to find his death certificate yet and hoping to hear from any other descendants, he was married first to an Esther Howard in 1788, then to Mary Butler in 1790 and possibly to a Sarah Rogers after 1802. Any help much appreciated

GREAT!!!!!! At last someone else is researching my ancestor.
I would love to know how he got to England, if he had brothers and sisters,who his parents were. DO YOU KNOW THIS. There is a theory that he was murdered in Tasmania in 1817. I do know that he sold his land and possessions in Sydney and travelled to Tasmania (as a free man, by this time) on the ship "Frederick" 1814. From there I have no further (genuine) information. He had a son John T. Randall born 28/5/1797. I am going to Tasmania early next year and will carry on my neverending search. Regards, hope to hear from you soon.

I too an a Randall descendant.
However I dont think he was born in New Haven Conn. but in New Haven Sussex, England.
This would explain how he got to England and why he was tried and sent to Aust.
Long way from Conn. to England and why would he want to leave there for a country he probably knew very little about- a country that was anti America - he would have been 9 when the war of independance broke out - seems that early researchers didnt have the tools -e.g. internet to explore the existence of more than one New Haven.

His death in Launceston is also a mystery.
Why did he leave NSW for Tas.
What crime did he commit.
Where was he tried.
The only reference is in an early census.
There is a Lauceston in Cornwall not far from Sussex - is this were he was arrested - did he misunderstand the Census question - did the person taking down the information make a mistake.
Your thoughts would be welcomed.
Robyn

Hi, nice to meet a fellow researcher of our family. Most of your questions can be answered in the following book:

Black Founders: The Unknown Story of Australia's
First Black Settlers by PYBUS, CASSANDRA
ISBN Number: 9780868408491
Category: Non Fiction
Format: Paperback
Publication Date: 01-04-2006
Publisher: University of New South Wales
This was only revealed to me a few months ago, I have been trying to get answers about John Randall for many years.
The information in the above book, made me sad and caused a few tears, but, also a lot of relief.
I would like to hear from you and learn what branch of our tree you are on. My email address is jmac@lightningridge.net.au.
Regards Joan

Hi
I am a descendant of John Randall and John Martin. I have been on the nevr ending trail aswell, but am tracing my aboriginal side of things. would love to hear from all that are tracing the family history.
Cheers to all
Gai
darug child

Hi, nice to meet a fellow researcher of our family. Most of your questions can be answered in the following book:

Black Founders: The Unknown Story of Australia's
First Black Settlers by PYBUS, CASSANDRA
ISBN Number: 9780868408491
Category: Non Fiction
Format: Paperback
Publication Date: 01-04-2006
Publisher: University of New South Wales
This was only revealed to me a few months ago, I have been trying to get answers about John Randall for many years.
The information in the above book, made me sad and caused a few tears, but, also a lot of relief.
I would like to hear from you and learn what branch of our tree you are on. My email address is jmac@lightningridge.net.au.
Regards Joan

Hi, nice to meet a fellow researcher of our family. Most of your questions can be answered in the following book:

Black Founders: The Unknown Story of Australia's
First Black Settlers by PYBUS, CASSANDRA
ISBN Number: 9780868408491
Category: Non Fiction
Format: Paperback
Publication Date: 01-04-2006
Publisher: University of New South Wales
This was only revealed to me a few months ago, I have been trying to get answers about John Randall for many years.
The information in the above book, made me sad and caused a few tears, but, also a lot of relief.
I would like to hear from you and learn what branch of our tree you are on. My email address is jmac@lightningridge.net.au.
Regards Joan

Hello Gai, we are also descendants of the Darug/Randall/Martin group and we have traced a fair bit. It's strange hearing from someone that has the somebloodline as us please contact us at melandjudy@bigpond.com

Hi, would you be a descendant of Francis Randall (daughter of John Randall of the 1st Fleet) and John Aitken (from Jamaica) I have eight children listed for them and believe that they were at one time residents of the Parramatta orphanage when Francis and Aitken parted ways? I understood that one of these children married an aboriginal of the Yarramundi district!!
Regards
Joan

Hi All

im on the John and Mary Martin side of the tree.. and as far as i know im a 7th generation descendent. I seem to find heaps listed on the Randall side but not that much on the Martin side. If anyone can help with some info that would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
NAYxx