immigrants arriving in Queensland c1885
The surnames Williscroft and Woolliscroft are found in Australia today. Bearer’s of the surname first arrived in 1828. Below I have summarised what I know about the different branches. I have added links so you can find out additional information where I have it. This is very much work in progress!
If you would like to add information about your branch of the family or make a comment please get in touch.
1828
John Woolliscroft was sentenced to death for ‘Highway Robbery’ at the Stafford in 1827. The sentence was commuted to transportation for life. He arrived in Tasmania in 1828, On documents in Tasmania John stated he was single but the documents from England show he was married with a daughter. John later married another convict Mary Downes in Tasmania. More
1840's
Parkhurst Boys Three ‘destitute’ brothers Joseph, Henry and Frederick Williscroft were sentenced to seven years transportation in 1844. Henry and Joseph were sent to Port Phillip and Frederick was sent to Tasmania. Frederick remained in Australia. Henry was last heard of in Brazil and Joseph remains a mystery. More
1860's
Brothers Edward and Henry Woolliscroft arrived at Melbourne in 1863. They had moved to New Zealand by the following year where they served with the 3rd Waikato Regiment. Their brother Peter emigrated later. They were the children of John Woolliscroft and Mary Ann Leigh (Lee) of Rusholme, Lancashire. More
1870's
John Williscroft from Dudley, Worcestershire arrived in Melbourne, Australia in the early 1870’s. He was joined by his widowed mother in 1876. His sister Agnes and her husband Edward Challingworth also emigrated to Australia. John’s brother Walter emigrated to the United States.
Ellen Woolliscroft 1843-1929 Ellen was the daughter of George and Mary (Smith) Woolliscroft of Leek, Staffordshire. She was travelling on her ownand arrived in Queensland in 1874. She married twice in Australia and died in 1929 in New South Wales. She had a son Henry Woolliscroft (alias Henry Arthur Brawn) in 1876. More
Alexander George Williscroft arrived in Tasmania via Queensland from Cornwall in 1878. Accompanied by his wife and children. He was the son of William Williscroft and Mary Widdescombe and grandson of Alexander Williscroft from Ireland. More