Natonal Archives Scotland

[elaine447]

national archives of scotland ref no
JC26/1862/247
trial paper relating to Helen Given for the crime of contavention of 49 GEO.111. at king st Port Glasgow when I click on the details they dont load
could someone else see if they can get the details for me please
I think 49 GEO is something to do with murder or attempted murder
very curious
Elaine

[tidybooks]

Hi Elaine,

It does not open from me either, but is it a rule 49 in the reign of George the Third.

Could be worth Googling, or maybe one of our legal friends may contribute.

Tom

[Little Nell]

49 GEO III would mean a law or Act of Parliament passed in the 49th regnal year of George III.  That would make it about 1809/10.  George III came to the throne on 25 October 1760.

Nell

[elaine447]

thank you Tom and Nell for trying
sorry for not replying sooner
I dont seem to be getting notified of replies
computer has been playing up past couple of day's
Elaine

[JAP]

It opened - and reads as follows:
CountryCode GB 
RepCode 234 
RefNo JC26/1862/247 
Repository National Archives of Scotland 
Title Trial papers relating to Helen Given for the crime of contravention of 49 Geo. III, c. 14 at Methodist entry, King Street, Port Glasgow. Tried at High Court, Glasgow (Second Court) 
Date 22 Dec 1862 
Accused Helen Given, alias Govan. Note: Case abandoned. Pannel cannot write. 
Victim Unnamed, feamle(sic) infant 
AccessStatus Open 
FormerRef JC26/1078

JAP
PS: Here is an explanation of the law she contravened.
Child murder, or concealment of pregnancy (Contravention of Concealment of Birth (Scotland) Act 1809; Con. 49 Geo. III, c. 14)
When a woman concealed her pregnancy during its course and did not seek help or assistance at the birth, and the child was found dead or missing. Concealment meant non-disclosure not merely active deception.

The above is from the National Archives of Scotland Index of Legal Terms at:
http://www.nas.gov.uk/guides/legalTerms.asp 

On that site, you can also find the following explanations:
Pannel (see Accused)
Person brought to trial; the accused.
and
Accused (see Pannel)
A person charged with the commission of a crime or offence.

[elaine447]

Thank you Jap
I think it may be my computer isn't fast enough
I am not sure wether she is part of my Given Family or not
thought it might give some clue
regards
Elaine

[JAP]

Hello Elaine,

Poor Helen, eh!

It might be worth emailing the NAS for a quote on copying and posting out the papers?  There might be some clues in them e.g. her age and/or marital status and/or an address which could perhaps be tied in with Helen in the 1861 census?  And if they include precognition papers, her relatives might have been questioned ...

Regards,

JAP

[elaine447]

Thanks Jap
I think I will do that the Helen I have in the 1841 census is 5 yrs old so she could
be about 25 in 1862 possible chance it is her
It is sad what some of our poor ancestors went through
but I think it makes us more proud of the fact that thats were we came from
Elaine

[tidybooks]

Hi Elaine and JAP,

Good to see the result, but what about the alias Govan.
Do you think this is just a spelling thing, I found birth of
Helen Govan 7th April 1839 in the Gorbals to parents John
Govan and Helen Gibson.

I got access to that page this morning, they may have cured yesterdays problems.

Tom