Prison in Portland, Dorset

[pettsy]

Does anyone know where the records are for the prison?

I have found my gg grandmothers brother in Jail, on the 1871 census. Alfred McManus, 20, born Chelsea.

And rather sad, I seen to have found his death.
Alfred McManus 1873, 22 years, Weymouth. 

I will have to order the certificates, but would love to know if the records for the prison survive.

Pettsy

[Sue15]

Hello Pettsy
I notice there was a pretty comprehensive reply to a similar query on Roots a couple of years ago http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,113703.from1134949587/topicseen.html

hopefully this might still be relevant.
 
Also there is a small website on the subject

http://www.institutions.org.uk/prisons/England/DOR/portland_convict_prison.htm

which states the records are at Dorset Archives in Dorchester

The Somerset and Dorset Family History Society publish some material on the prison also

Good Luck

Sue

[pettsy]

Hi Sue,

Thank you for the links 

I have already contacted Dorset Archives, who do not hold the records.
They said to contact the National Archives. They said they'll charge £60 to search  I only wanted to know if they held the dates I wanted before I went there.

I also contacted Kensington & Chelsea  library to see if they had the local paper from 1871 and before, unfortunately the only papers they have start from 1872.

I can't open the second link 

Thank you.

Pettsy

[Sue15]

Hello Pettsy
Sorry to hear you are having a few problems trying to find the records

Have you tried Black Sheep http://blacksheepancestors.com/uk/portland_page.shtml

they seem to have an online search.

The link on the Paul Benyon web site does not work for me either - shame

The Somerset and Dorset FHS Transcriptions maybe useful. I have always found them helpful with information before I purchase anything and I am not a member!

Hope this brings you a bit more luck- fingers crossed

Sue

[pettsy]

Hi Sue,

I did try Black Sheep, but unfortunately the records on there start from 1881, I want 1871 and before.

I will contact the Somerset and Dorset FHS and see if they can help me.

Thank you for all your help.

My fingers are crossed too 

Pettsy

[pettsy]

Hi Sue,

I have just heard back from Somerset & Dorset FHS, they said the disc holds the names of all the prisoners from 1851 - 1871 census years.
There was a note on the file to say Ken Saunders (who produced the cd) was unable to get access to the actual prison records.

I will see what the death certificate says. I read that one prisoner died a week in there 

Best wishes

Pettsy 

[Sue15]

Hi Pettsy
Your reply was interesting - particularly about not being able to get access to the actual records.
It makes me wonder who has the records and why the information is being with held.

Lets hope the death cert proves interesting-maybe if there is something irregular there will be a newspaper report.

fingers crossed for you
All the best
Sue

[pettsy]

Hi Sue,

I thought that too. I hope they are at Kew for the years I want.

I was reading about the four men who were executed, and a mask was made of their faces 

I cannot wait to see the death certificate now. To see how he died so young. I will let you know when it arrives.

Thanks for your help.

Pettsy

[northern_rose]

I have failed to access records for 1901 from Portland prison at Kew. I believe they have them but they are not catalogued and can not yet therefore be accessed!