Sydney Water Police Records

[meeganf]

Hi there
I wonder if anyone know of the above in the NSW Records? I have searched the website and no mention, emailed the Police Museum and they put me through to City Curators who weren't able ot help

Looking for a possible "sign-in" for my 2nd GGrandfather when he was arrested for attempted suicide (slitting his throat!") 16 Jul 1890 and sentenced to 2 mths prison in Sydney or Darlinghurst Gaol in Aug 1890. I understand that his picture may have been taken for a sentence over 3 mths but wonder if they have an sign-in or admission ledger so I could at least see his signature as I don't have nay photos

Many thanks for any guidance. His name was John GOSTELOW and there are a myriad of sp.
Meegan

[rosball]

Hi Meegan,
   Here is index to gaol photographs and inmates
https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/search_form?id=84
    I have searched using wildcards and cannot find his name.

    I suppose you have already seen the stories on trove?  Well just in case you haven't here a few
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article227469393
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article227463732
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article227463732
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113332015

   Here are indexes for court cases https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/archives/collections-and-research/guides-and-indexes/courts/indexes


Ros

[meeganf]

Thanks Ros.

He had quite a few articles in Trove, so I have an idea of him for his story but a photo or even signature would have been great. Will keep trying the Records, such a thing as a ledger might not exist.

John died a few years after this in Callan Park Hospital. We think he may have been affected by lead poisoning - he was a painter and, from his nursing notes, he exhibited some of the symptoms of it
Cheers
Meegan

[rosball]

Did he die in 1894 Meegan?

It is possible that there is a probate packet for him at NSW archives (there is a gap in online probate index from c1890 to 1927).   But I can't see a probate advert on trove or a deceased estate on the archives website.

But I will check the microfiche next time I am there - worth a try.  A probate packet contains a will, usually a death cert and details of heirs.

Ros

[meeganf]

Yes, Ros, he did die in 1894.
You are very kind to offer but I do already have his probate packet and DC. Unfortunately for me (and of course dear John) he died insolvent and intestate so no signatures there. But I will go through his previous filings for insolvency and see if they have his signature. Such a little thing but would be lovely to have it

Through Trove I have picked up a little bit about his life - he was chair of the first Painters Union in NSW, he was active in the community on different levels one of them being a bell-ringer! His first wife, and mother to my ancestor, died when she was 33 and he had a few children to raise. I gather his 2nd wife wasn't a great person

Many thanks for your interest
Meegan

It was a sad end for him, dying in paranoia and epileptic fits if that is what they were.

[majm]

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/128776114 Evening News 15 April 1890 ...

perhaps there's a fresh clue in this cutting ... so around Easter, 1890 his then:
  occupation,
  home address,
  hospital admitted to,
  name of the doctor,

PLUS there's info about the police:
  name of police constable, and the number of the police station,

  and there's that variation in the spelling for his surname too ...
  "family troubles" mentioned... 

I have not ever noticed the signature of the offender on any of the NSW "crim sheets" I have sighted over the years, but I do remember noticing patient signatures on hospital records, including "X" marks, and also if patient was unable to sign (unconscious, broken arm, etc etc etc) sometimes a spouse or other family member would sign instead.

ADD,  I think I recall reading in another newspaper cutting that he had been in Sydney Hospital from April (so I am suggesting the newspaper trail shows he injured himself April 5, not July) until his trial in August ...

JM

[meeganf]

Thank you, Ros, I hadn't seen that  cutting. Will get onto Trove and tidy it up too. Do appreciate your insight and guidance - so good to have someone with experience look at things anew

Many thanks - again
Neegan

[meeganf]

Sorry- that was majm who found that.

Thank you majm
Meegan

[majm]

I remembered helping on your previous threads for your  NSW Gostellow family and the various spellings found on several hardcopy 19th century NSW electoral rolls, directories, rates/assessments, burial registers, bdm indexes, etc.  I also remember I had some info on a Qld pioneer family by that name. 

JM