User:Michael Ronson/sandbox

At the end of the 18th century, Ned Kelly's great-grandfather Patrick Kelly took part in the Irish rebellion and fought at the Battle of Vinegar Hill and elsewhere. When a semblance of peace had been restored Patrick Kelly moved from County Wexford to Tipperary. There his eldest son, John Kelly (known as "Red" and Ned's father) was constantly engaged in faction fights, and conspired with two other men in an attempted murder. All three men were sentenced to death, but John Kelly saved his life by turning police informer. He was sentenced to 10 years' deportation and was transported to Van Diemen's Land in 1841, at the age of 22. After his release in 1848, Red Kelly moved to Victoria and found work at James Quinn's farm at Wallan Wallan as a bush carpenter. He subsequently turned his attention to gold-digging, at which he was successful and which enabled him to purchase a small freehold in Beveridge, just north of Melbourne. He soon became notorious, as a cattle thief, and his house was a rendezvous where criminals of all kinds hatched their plots.

Kelly's father, John Kelly (known as "Red"), was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and was transported to Van Diemen's Land in 1841, at the age of 22, for attempted murder. After his release in 1848, Red Kelly moved to Victoria and found work at James Quinn's farm at Wallan Wallan as a bush carpenter. He subsequently turned his attention to gold-digging, at which he was successful and which enabled him to purchase a small freehold in Beveridge, just north of Melbourne.