Wanted - My Ancestor was a Murderer!

[Dan Waddell]

Thanks kerry, certainly sounds fascinating.

[DelilahRed]

Hi Dan

I have a great great uncle who killed his own brother in a fight (in 1883), but apart from one newspaper report I haven't been able to find any coroner's reports etc and it doesn't seem as he did any time for it.

Any use?

Del

[Dan Waddell]

Hi everyone. Ta for all your replies (I got an email saying the topic was split  where did the other bit go?). Been away for a few days so will get in touch with those who got in touch with me, and posted here, as soon as I can.

cheers

Dan

[ozwendy]

Hi

I have an ancestor who was allegedly murdered at age 18 in the North of England. The family story was that he was murdered, although there were no further details. Some time again while looking through the Wiganworld website I was very luckt to come across a transcribed newspaper report of a body found in 1890 which was that of my gg uncle. However, because the body was found quite mutilated near a railway track the police were assuming it was some sort of accident, though they said it was mysterious and were waiting for the coroner. I haven't been able to find anything else such as an inquest or coroner's report, but I can send you a copy of the article if you would like it.
Cheers
Wendy

[Ruskie]

Ooh, this sounds interesting Dan - and welcome to rootschat!

There are many people on rootschat who have murderous ancestors or ancestors who were victims of murder. It's just a matter of them finding this thread so they can tell you their stories.

I remember one horrific murder somewhere in Australia - I think the father murdered the whole family. I may be wrong with this bit, but I think the researcher discovered that several of their ancestors died on the same day, so they dug deeper and discovered that they had been murdered.

Sorry to tease you with this, but I can't recall the details ....  I wonder if anyone else can?

FOUND IT! 
http://www.rootschat.com/links/043z/

Dan I found this by "searching rootschat" for the word 'murder'.
The "search rootschat" button is at the top of the page in the middle. I knew I was looking for an Australian story, so I only ticked the Australian boxes to search. If you leave all the boxes ticked you'll no doubt get loads of hits. Good luck!

If you want to contact a particular person about their story, you can click on their name on the left, then you can send them a personal message.

[johngirl]

Hi Dan,

I also welcome you to rootschat. My ggg aunt was murdered by her fourth husband. He apparently sexually molested his step grandaughter and my ggg aunt found out so he shot her in the head then set fire to the house and her body was found amoungst the burnt debri. The husband was put in prison awaiting his trial but strangled himself a few days later in his prison cell with his belt I think it was. I have the newspaper reports on the murder but it is in very small print and I also have the coroners reports. This murder took place in Beaconsfield Tasmania Australia in January 1920.

 Johngirl

[Tsu]

My ggg aunt was murdered by her fourth husband. He apparently sexually molested his step grandaughter and my ggg aunt found out so he shot her in the head then set fire to the house and her body was found amoungst the burnt debri. The husband was put in prison awaiting his trial but strangled himself a few days later in his prison cell with his belt I think it was.

Nice guy! 

I have no murderers that I know of, but one of my ancestors was transported for seven years for stealing the lead off the roof of St. Mary's church in Whitechapel.  The same church where his 12 children had been christened!

[Siouxzie]

Hi Dan
Not mine, unfortunately -  but my husbands ancestor was a murderess.

Margaret Percival married 4 times; becoming Margaret Carter and mother to Mary Elizabeth Carter my husbands  great grandmother on her second marriage.  Her 4th husband was James Deakin whom she married in 1890.   Margaret Deakin was convicted of murdering her lodger Elizabeth (Betty) Heald, on January 26th 1894, who she believed to be having an affair with her husband James and ended up in Knutsford Gaol after having her death sentence commuted to penal servitude because of her age, she was 64.  The Northwich Chronicle of the time has various articles regarding this.

The manner of Betty Healds death was by a knife wound and Margaret was arrested in Deansgate Manchester.

I was contacted by a descendant of James Deakin, who sent me transcripts of  articles written at the time - it came as a bolt from the blue, because non of my husbands family knew anything about it and as his own grandfather (Margaret's grandson) had been a policeman I am not surprised it was not spoken off.

Regards
Siouxzie

[buckaroo]

Hi all!

This is part reply... part query,

I have a 3x or is it 4x Gr.grandmother who seems to have been murdered, from her death certificate I have,

"08 October 1850 at St.Martin, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire death of Elizabeth Barnard, female 47 years, widow of Michael Barnard, Parish Clerk.   Died from the effect of violent injuries inflicted upon her by some person or persons unknown.  Reported by NM Cozens, Coroner, Dew Street, Haverforwest."

How would I go about finding more info?

Buckaroo