Genealogy Chat

Is there a way to find out why a prisoner was in prison? I have an ancestor that was a prisoner of Her Majestrys Prison Wandsworth Common in 1881 and wondered why. His name is Charles Turner and he was married and a baker. Thanks for any replys.

Yes there is, this is a regular query. You would need to look in the prison jail register. Some places - Gloucester gaol and Aylesbury for example, have an online index. I found several relatives in the Gloucester gaol and for a few £ the Glos. Records Office sent me photocopies of the entries which gave details of admission, crime, trial details and physical description. Local newspapers (also in records offices) might also have reports of the crime and trial. nell

Thats really interesting, I had no idea records would still exist Nell. I have one of hubbys in prison in Liverpool in the 1870's in the next census he is a soldier. I guess they werent so picky then. Or were they really given the choice - the army or the prison like you often hear.

Heather, I have bits and pieces from records for the Norfolk assizes, Norfolk Quarter Sessions and Norwich Quarter Sessions which someone passed on to me. They are really interesting as they give date, name, offence, sentence. I assume these came from the Norfolk record office??? Don't know if there are similar for all counties, presume its always worth a google on a2a. Jay

Thank you so much, I will try looking into that. Thanks for your help.

I found a few relatives from the 1830s in Gloucester gaol - for stealing firewood from Lord Stowell's grounds (I expect they needed it more than he did!) And lots of you know about my gt gt uncle who killed his fiancee and was sent to Broadmoor. I also had a gt uncle (other side of the family) who died in a lunatic asylum. Husband was always a bit superior about this, but just yesterday I found his gt x2 grandfather in Parkhurst!!!!!!!!!! nell

Janet, no Horsteads or Breezes in those Norfolk records are there? Doubt it, my bunch seem to be a load of goody goodies, even the Londoners.

Sorry Heather, Only have a few extracts for one of the surnames I'm researching, and their not mine anyway. Guess my ag labs were too poor and too exhausted from the long hours of work to get up to no good!! Jay

Heather, you sure they were goodie goodies or were they just savvy enough not to get caught?

Helen, Parkhurst will do a search for you for £10. If you are interested I have the email address. Maggy

Oooh Maggy yes please! nell