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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Topic started by: dusty2 on Tuesday 05 May 20 08:54 BST (UK)
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I am doing some research into the inmates of Saltley Reformatory, and came across a very brief report of the crime of one of them in a newspaper, in Welsh. The newsprint in the original is rather fuzzy, so not all the letters are clear. Could someone translate this for me please? Also, it would be useful if I could have a legible version of the Welsh. I attach an image from the newspaper.(http://)
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Thomas Richard Davies, a lad of twelve years of age, admitted stealing 6s from the pocket of Catherine Williams in Aberystwyth, on 25th June last. In spite of youth, this is the prisoner's fifth offence, he was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment and then to be taken to Saltley industrial school for five years.
Did you find this in the Baner ac Amserau Cymru, 12 July 1873?
He's mentioned again, with his father, in the Aberystwyth Observer, 18 Oct 1873.
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Welshnewspapers online
https://newspapers.library.wales
Search for "Thomas Richard Davies" (include the " " as part of search key) and restrict period to 1872-73 using date slider bar.
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Aberystwyth Observer, 18 Oct 1873, 20 Mar 1873, 5 July 1873
Cambrian News/Merionethshire Standard - 2 separate items for 4 July 1873
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The image you posted appears to come from Baner ac Amserau Cymru, 12 July 1873, available on British Newspaper Archive or FindMyPast.
The image available on Welshnewspapers is clearer but I don't think you can download images from this site. Need to use "Snipping Tool" or similar.
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Thanks for the replies - really helpful, and much appreciatedk,
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Oh, and yes, the image I used did come from Baner ac Amserau Cymru. I subscribe to the British Newspaper Archive and got it from there.
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I subscribe to BNA and noticed the difference in quality.
The Aberystwyth Observer, 18 Dec 1869, has an item about Thomas appearing in court as an 8 yr old!
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Crikey! That is young. I'll add that to my information. Many thanks, again.
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One last question - young Thomas, after 5 years in Saltley, can you say "the boy done good"?
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Despite the rather Dickensian image we have of Victorian punishment, certainly at Saltley they really did try to put the 'reform' in reformatory. Apart from giving the boys an education (most of them were illiterate and unschooled), they also had a form of probation whereby the boys could go to work for vetted employers. After the boys left, for two or three years they would send a sort of standard letter to ascertain how they were doing. Unfortunately, it was a bit hit and miss as to how much additional information they added to the Admissions Register, and Thomas is one where there is only a little. There are two entries. as follows:
1 December 1876 Licensed to work for Mr J T Farley, 17 Cannon Street, Dover, Chinaware
12 December 1876(?) [no year given] Had note saying he is quite comfortable
And that's all I have at present.
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Thanks for the update