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Topic: HM Convict Prison Porstmouth (Read 785 times)
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stoker_1
RootsChat Pioneer
Posts: 1
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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This may sound very simple to some, but from Canada it seems almost impossible, is there anywhere I could look up a record of the crime and the sentencing for a relative incarcerated in HM Convict Prison, Portsmouth?
Name: John Anderson b. 5 May 1834 at West Woodburn, a stonemason.
In prison for the 1881 census.
Thanks for any help in this regard,
Mike
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Yorkshire Rose
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 277
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Mike
I would try contacting the achieve services in the area he was last recorded i.e 1871 census.
I had great succuess
Polly
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Valda
Global Moderator
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 9696
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Portsmouth was a government prison and John Anderson was a convict not a prisoner - subtle difference. This means his crime was serious enough that where ever he was tried he was serving a sentence of 'hard labour' (in previous times this crime would probably have justified transportation).
The most serious crimes were tried in the Assizes Courts, though some could be tried in the next court down the Quarter Sessions. Which court he was tried in matters for where the records are held. Quarter sessions were local county courts and so their records are held in the local county record office. Assize Courts had crown judges sitting in them and therefore their records will be held by The National Archives which is the repository for government records. The National Archives will also hold his prison records (he probably served the initial part of his sentence in a prison like Pentonville where the 'silence system' was designed to break convicts' spirits and make them more compliable, before being moved to serve the majority of his sentence in a prison like Portsmouth where he would 'do' hard labour) and also his release probably on licence.
The National Archives produce research guides to explain the system of records.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/researchguidesindex.asp
see
Criminals, Tracing 19th and 20th Century
Northumberland Record Office can check relatively quickly to see if they have him on their 'Calendar of prisoners' which if they do may give you the bare bones of his crime, sentence and any previous convictions. He would have been placed in a local prison pre his trial so Northumberland RO may hold prison records for him (though survival of prison records is erratic). If they do, the prison records will give a description of him as will Portsmouth prison records (some photographs survive for Pentonville prisoners). Prison licences which are difficult to search are nevertheless very detailed and in this time period often have photographs. To research at The National Archives you really need to visit or employ an experienced researcher.
Regards
Valda
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cagirl
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 2
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To the original poster - I am also related to John Anderson b Woodburn, stonemason. He was the brother of my great-grandfather. I have been trying to find out about his prison sentence, but so far not been successful.
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Stovepipe
RootsChat Veteran
Posts: 680
Daddy Stovepipe
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The criminal registers for England and Wales (1791-1892) yield the following convictions in Northumberland between 1871 and 1881.
John William Anderson, 29 Nov 1875 @ Newcastle - Murder, to be hanged
John Anderson, 26 Oct 1878 @ Newcastle - Murder, to be hanged
Where was he in the 1871 census? The above two might not have survived through to 1881.
HTH,
Stovepipe
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bearkat
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 3882
Census Info. is Crown Copyright, from www.national
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John William ANDERSON was hanged 23 December 1875 in Newcastle for the murder of his wife
http://lcjb.cjsonline.gov.uk/area27/library/Justice_Trail.pdf
So I think we can rule him out.
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Middx - VAUS, ROBERTS, EVERSFIELD, INMAN, STAR, HOLBECK, WYATT, BICKFORD, SMITH, REDWOOD
South Stoneham, Hants - SMALL, HAMMERTON, GRIST, FRYER, TRODD
Beaulieu/Boldre, Hants - WOODFORD, CROUTEAR, BECK, BENDELL, KEEPING, HARDING
Kent - BAYLY, BORERr, MITCHELL, PLANE, VERNON, FARRANCE, CHAPMAN, MEDHURST, LOMAX, WYATT
Devon - TOPE, BICKFORD, FOSTER
YKS - QUIRK, McGUIRE, BENN
Nott/Derbs - SLACK
Hert - BARNES
L'pool- PLUMBE
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bearkat
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 3882
Census Info. is Crown Copyright, from www.national
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Very interesting.
I'm pleased you found out why.
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Middx - VAUS, ROBERTS, EVERSFIELD, INMAN, STAR, HOLBECK, WYATT, BICKFORD, SMITH, REDWOOD
South Stoneham, Hants - SMALL, HAMMERTON, GRIST, FRYER, TRODD
Beaulieu/Boldre, Hants - WOODFORD, CROUTEAR, BECK, BENDELL, KEEPING, HARDING
Kent - BAYLY, BORERr, MITCHELL, PLANE, VERNON, FARRANCE, CHAPMAN, MEDHURST, LOMAX, WYATT
Devon - TOPE, BICKFORD, FOSTER
YKS - QUIRK, McGUIRE, BENN
Nott/Derbs - SLACK
Hert - BARNES
L'pool- PLUMBE
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