Genealogy Chat

Hi Merry, Thanks for that site, found at least 2 of mine in there, one girl at age 16, a months hard labour for stealing a sheaf of wheat, it would appear, that no matter what the gendre, you still got dealt with in the same way, in those days. Ben.

Woo! My great great grandfather got 14 days hard labour aged 13 for wilful damage. There are several that may tie in. Can't claim the Sarah that got a year's hard labour for bastardy but if I could that might solve a problem. I take it that means what I think it does? Did all women get put away for that or am I barking up the wrong tree? Would love to me able to claim the one that got 20 years for arson - I need a rogue, my tree is very boring. This has now given me the incentive to have a go at that side of the family again. Thank you. Mags xx

Hi Merry, Sorry to hijack your thread. Does anyone know any prisons in Berkshire? I have lost a relly after 1841 and I am desperate enough to try anywhere!! Many thanks, Sylvia.

Thanks Merry for posting this. This is going to keep me busy for some time... I have two lots of ancestors from Bedfordshire and both were occasionally in trouble with the Law, so this is genuinely useful. Andrew.

Always good to see that the Medlocks kept the judiciary busy...of course it wasn't our branch...it was the other lot down the road... Sheila

I idly typed 'Evans' into the box. Haven't found a connection, but I did find this charming couple: George Evans 42 1850 Hatfield Hatfield On 24th October inst. at Luton did threaten Eliza Evans to cut her head from her body and be the death of her Eliza Evans 31 1851 Luton Hitchin On 10th Dec.1851 at Luton assaulting Priscilla Yates George Evans 26 1864 London Robbery with violence having been previously convicted of felony.

great site! Thanks! My gr-gr-gr-grandfather was John Carrington, born c1800 in Biggleswade. There are several John Carringtons (or all the same one?) on the site that could match the birth date. Arrested for stealing a gun, stealing a watch, stealing ducks, etc. No place of birth given, but place of residence all Biggleswade. Hmmm.... wonder if it's him!

Got them as well Merry thankyou, and printed them to show my Dad as it's his lot. With 8 children you would have thought he would have behaved better than that.

Make sure you click on the ''details'' button on the left, when you have found your entry! That's where the personal details are! Merry

Merry, Thankyou for this one. I think!!! Just discovered my 3x Gt Grandfather was a habitual criminal. Sheep stealing, Assault, Poacher, Game laws, Described as bad. on one of the records. Here was I thinking that there wasn't a bad one amongst them.

Thanks Merry, I found one that might be hubby's g-gx ? grandma. Her distinguishing feature was a long nose, lol lol. Heather

Thanks for this link Merry. Have just found my gt gt grandfather, given 9 months hard labour in 1849 for receiving stolen goods, and his father given 3 months hard labour in 1819 for non performance of a bond of filiation. That second one is interesting as he married the baby's mother in 1819, 4 years after the birth - guess he decided it was less hassle to marry her than to risk further punishment.

Aylesbury and Gloucester gaol register indexes are online too. Hopefully more of them will be made available as time goes by. nell

None of mine are on that subset, but they are great when they have photos!!! Merry

Here we go http://www.schools.bedfordshire.gov.uk/gaol/contents.htm Click search the gaol multimedia subset. A few of the persons have photos and JPEGS of some of the original documents.

I saw that this morning! Fantastic! mine too, were goody goodies but one of the neighbours families seem to be a bit of trouble! I'll try and remember where I found it ( and post the link) but someone else has posted alot of Bedfordshire Gaol stuff up that also has some Gaol photos of inmates.

Merry Thanks for this - most entertaining! Good job you can't be sent to prison for being idle these days, prisons are too overcrowded as it is. Unfortunately (?) my Bedfordshire lot appear to have been law-abiding citizens. Angela

Bedford and Luton Archive Office have an online database for bedford County Gaol, 1801-1901. I have found several of my rellies and there are lots of details for some........e.g. I now know that my 2nd cousin, 3x removed had, ''A cut mark on left eyebrow, blister mark on shoulder, right leg has been broken and is discoloured, also varicose veins, stout, well proportioned.'' and was 5' 7½'' and had grey hair and eyes!! LOL The web address for the search screen is: http://apps.bedfordshire.gov.uk/grd/ Happy Hunting - Merry x