Montreal Prison Info 1911 - Joseph Shaw?

[hmserge]

Hi

I've recently found information that my gg grandfather may have been in the prison in Montreal. (Pied-du-courant), as there is a possible record for him in the 1911 census Canada.

I was wondering if anyone knew any information about this prison, was it for petty crimes?

His name is Joseph Shaw born about 1845 in Halifax, Yorkshire but he travelled in 1903 to Quebec.  He left his wife and family in England.  In the England census 1911 his wife states she is married but there is no sign of Joseph, anywhere in England. 

He did travel to Quebec with his brother James but James returned to England a few months later without Joseph.

If this is Joseph in the Canada 1911 census, then is there anyway I can get more information about his prison record?   Are there prison records available?

Any help/advice would be much appreciated.  Thank you

[crisane]

No it wasn't only for petty crimes. According to Wikipedia the last hanging was in 1911 and the prison closed in 1912.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pied-du-Courant_Prison

[hmserge]

Hello crisane

Thank you for your reply. 

I think he will have just been a petty crime inmate.

If the prison closed in 1912 did they move all inmates to a new jail in the same area I wonder? 

I'm wondering if anyone knows whether there are prison records?  He never returned to England or his family and we'd love to know what happened to him. Maybe he even died in prison.

Thanks again

[crisane]

Hi
The only suggestion I can come up with is to contact the Archives in Montreal. Top of the page on this site
http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/archives/500ans/portail_archives_en/accueil.html

There are numerous sites relating to the prison but as they are mostly in French it is tedious using google translate to find out if they have what you want. 

[hmserge]

That's a great suggestion, thank you so much I'll do that

 

[dbree]

Hi,

The Pied-du-Courant prison was replaced by Bordeaux prison.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bordeaux_Prison
Some history of Bordeaux prison, last prisoner hanged in 1960, and the public outrage that each
cell had a flushing toilet and electricity in 1912.
http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/bordeaux-jail-commemorates-100-years-offers-insight-into-montreal-history-1.1045430

A possible........on the 1921 Canadian census, Montreal, Bordeaux prison,
Shaw, Joseph, age 77, married, prisoner, b. England, both parents b. England, religion ang.

Cheers,
DB

[hmserge]

Hello dbree

Thank you so much for this information, this is really appreciated.

I'll look into the Bodeaux prison too, that sounds interesting reading especially about the public outrage 

Wow, I didn't have that information about the 1921 census, sounds like the same Joseph Shaw.  Does it say anything about profession/trade?
Do you know where I can view this 1921 census? 

I wonder what crime he could have committed to be in prison so long and I wonder if there's anyway I can find out when he was admitted to prison?

So many questions on the 'missing' Joseph Shaw,

Thanks again

Heidi

[dbree]

Hi,

You're welcome.

Unfortunately no profession listed. The 1921 Canadian census is viewable through Ancestry.

I don't know where you would find the prison records, but an email to the Montreal Archives
that crisane gave you, they might be able help or at least steer you in the right direction.

Cheers,
DB

[dbree]

Hi,

Another possible, from the Quebec Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection) 1922 from the church
Basilique Notre Dame, a death of Joseph Shaw, aged 69, and it looks like he died in prison. It isn't very legible I'm afraid. I think it says he died the 31st day in the month of December.