Banff prison

[Scot2Eng]

The tolbooth in a scottish burgh was the council building, court and jail. I think the prison cells were usually used to hold people for a short time until they appeared in court. The cells in the picture, which are probably are still in existence, date at least from the latter part of the 18th century. Next time I manage to get to Banff I'll try to take a look. The building is still council offices.

My 3 ggfather was arrested for forgery and according to the papers at NAS was held at the Banff tolbooth. Somehow he was released from prison before his trial, didn't turn up at Aberdeen High Court to face the charges and was declared an outlaw! He obviously didn't fancy a trip to Australia!

I've written an article about it and it is in the Christmas 2012 issue of Family Tree magazine that's out now!

[rdarby]

I'll look out for it!

[argyllshiregirl]

Hello,

Jumping in here as I just found a possible connection to my Argyll born ancestor. I did not expect to find any Banff connections ever, but on another RC page someone left a link for a very helpful site http://www.scottishindexes.com/ where all sorts of records are being transcribed by volunteers. Check it out. Anyway, my great great grandfather, Archibald MCKINNON, (abt. 1813 - ?) was born at Kilninian Mull, Argyll and married 1st Catherine MCARTHUR, then 2nd Christina MCDOUGALL. He married his 2nd wife on Coll in 1849 and they are found on Tiree in 1851, then in Bonhill, Dumbartonshire in 1861. After that, Archibald vanishes (I can find no death) but Christina died at the home of a niece in Hutchensontown,  Lanarkshire in 1886. I did find a death for an Archibald MCKINNON in a poor house in Dumbartonshire in 1869 but the deatails on the record are so few that I am not certain who he was. So today, I found an Archibald MCKINNON, Argyll born, labourer, no fixed address, registered in prison in Banff in 1863. How might I find out more? Thank you!

Mary

[dowdstree]

Just to go back to what Forfarian said about Reidhaven Street and the old turret forming part of new housing.

A few years ago we stayed in the house that incorporates the turret - it was a holiday let. The turret was the kitchen. Thank goodness it was not the bedroom or I would never have slept a wink. It had a cold feeling about it although the newly build part of the house was fine.

Dorrie