Liverpool Borough Gaol

[munchies]

Happy New Year to all 

After an 18mnth break I am back having another bash at researching those pesky rellies. I have just found that a GGGgrandfather was in Liverpool Borough Gaol on the night of the 1851 census and wondered if anyone knew of any sites with details of this place (being the idle s*d that I am I thought I would ask here first). I assume he wasn't in for very long, as in not years, based on the fact that he had a 12mnth old at home and had another child the next year.

Does anyone know if there are records of inmates and reasons why they were jailed?

Thanks in anticipation.
Donna

[celia]

Hello Donna
that question  of finding prison records has come up many times.You wont find those sort of records on any website,if he was lodging in a Gaol;) The liverpool library Archives department might have them,i think they are the main archives for liverpool. Like the Chesire & Chester Archives in Chester. Are for Cheshire,if you look for the liverpool          library website on Google you will probably find their email number for inquiries.

Celia

[munchies]

I didn't expect to find prison records online that would be too easy 

I just wondered if anyone knew anything about the history of the place I did do a quick google but only got basic details and was hoping a history buff here knew something. 

I will go to Liverpool records office in the near future and ask there but in the meantime......

Donna

[wjpc1]

hi donna,
               liverpool borough gaol was in great howard street,(the dock rd?) it was mainly used as a debtors prison,but after napoleons defeat, it was used to hold french prisoners of war. i'm not sure when it closed, but i guess about 1850,as walton prison took over around that time.i've not been able to find out much,on the net,but if you type in the name,you'll get a "herdman"print of what it looked like!
                                 steve.

[coffeecup]

Have you tried looking at the quarter sessions records on the National Archives 'access to archives' site? It's just that I found a bill of prosecution in there for someone who was in Salford prison in 1851. Some list the crime commited too. Just type his name in the search, then narrow it down to Liverpool Records Office, and North West region, and a date range. It will give you a reference and details if you want to send for a detailed copy, which is a nominal amount.

http://a2a.org.uk/

Good luck,
coffecup

[munchies]

thanks for that coffeecup I will go and have a look 
Donna

[liverpool annie]

hi donna,
               liverpool borough gaol was in great howard street,(the dock rd?) it was mainly used as a debtors prison,but after napoleons defeat, it was used to hold french prisoners of war. i'm not sure when it closed, but i guess about 1850,as walton prison took over around that time.i've not been able to find out much,on the net,but if you type in the name,you'll get a "herdman"print of what it looked like!
                                 steve.

Hi Steve and welcome to RootsChat ! 

Having been born and bred in Liverpool I was interested to see your reply ..... as I had never heard that before about the French prisoners !! so I took your lead and found a few snippets that may be of interest to Donna !

Liverpool Borough Gaol, Great Howard Street, was designed 1785 by William Blackburn. It comprised central accommodation and offices, with six cell blocks radiating to form a semi-circle.

Great Howard Street

It perpetuates the name of the great reformer and philanthropist, John Howard. He took a great interest in the planning of the Borough Gaol which was built in this street in 1786.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0142/

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0143/

Thanks for making me search ... I'll see if I can find some more .... you have me curious now !! 

Annie 

[VICTORIA]

Hi,

One of my ancestors were in The Borough Gaol 1851.

You can view records of prisoners in the reference room

William Brown Library. ( 4th floor )( room at the back )

I had a look through the original books. They are huge, and VERY dusty, bring gloves with you if possible as your hands will get dirty.

The records give name of inmates/prisoners, and reason for incarceration. They are very interesting, sometimes sad if you read some of the sentences for minor offences.
Some very young boys and girls were sent to Australia for long periods of time.
It was a while since I last saw records so dont remember anything else.

Details from 1851 Census
HO 107/2178/4 Folio 0791a Borough Gaol

Victoria

[munchies]

Thanks Victoria will contact records office and arrange to view.

Annie thanks the plaque is very interesting may have to go and find it myself

Donna