Convict search

[MonicaL]

Just building up the picture from what we have found yesterday on the trial papers (which were key) and what you had on James already.
Let us know how you get on if you decide to order the trial (s) documents. I've failed miserably in finding James in 1851 and 1861 censuses - no idea how he has been transcribed 

Monica 

[kishtu]

How do I go about ordering the trial documents from Australia??

Also is it easy to find a convict from Southampton(where he was convicted)?

My family are so excited about finding James' family and we have a big family who are still alive and connected to the mitchell line. 

[kishtu]

I dont think the Scotland Herald information is correct as his trial was held on 27 September 1861 and he was sent to Australia 15 March 1863 from Portland England.  He also got 10 years for house breaking, not
robbery with violence.

I do think the rest of the information is crrect though.

[MonicaL]

I'm confused Kish  Also is it easy to find a convict from Southampton(where he was convicted)?

Tom and I had found references to the trial and Tom's entry from Ancestry:

On Ancestry, I have entry that James Mitchell, sailed on the Vessel: Clyde
Convicted Date: 27 Sep 1861 Voyage Date: 11 Mar 1863  Colony: Western Australia
Piece: HO 11/18   Place of Conviction: Glasgow 

Sure you have this, but just confirming the details we have found http://members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/convicts/con-wa33.html

In respect of ordering copies (and the cost) of trial documents, see here for contact details. I would include details of the references we have found for the 1861 trial (maybe start with that and from there see whether you want to consider ordering the other documents for offences in other years?).

www.nas.gov.uk/contact/default.asp#Contactform

Monica

[MonicaL]

Just as an aside, reading through the Clyde's ship's manifest  :

Stealing a pig's cheek & 1s 3d   - 7 years

Stealing two ducks  - 10 years

Stealing a coat - 5 years

Stealing a watch - 7 years

....a lot of the other crimes are quite horrible, and justice was done.

Monica 

[kishtu]

So I guess housebreaking was as bad a stealing a couple of ducks lol. 

Now days you steal someones stuff and you get a smack on the hand and told you are a naughty child.

[tidybooks]

Hi Kishtu,

Glasgow Herald 28th September 1861
Glasgow Autumn Circuit Court

(Before Lord Ivory)

The court met yesterday at ten o’clock Stephen Edwards and James Mitchell were charged with theft, committed by housebreaking, and opening lock fast places, in so far as on Sunday, 30th June last, they did break into the dwelling house of John McLellan, storekeeper, Crown Street, Hutchesontown, by means of a false key or picklock, and carry off a gold finger ring, top coat and silver pencil case; further, that they did break open and take from a workbox on the same premises various other articles of jewellery, and 5s 6d in silver – aggravated , in the case of |Mitchell by 2 previous convictions for theft, one before the Circuit Court. Both panels pled not guilty. The case having gone to trial, Mr Morison appeared for the defence, and at the conclusion of the evidence addressed the jury for the panels – the Counsel for the Crown having declined to make any observations. The jury found both panels guilty; Mitchell was sentenced to 10 years penal servitude, and Edwards – on the ground that there were no previous convictions – to imprisonment for 18 months, the first six months as hard labour.

Tom

[MonicaL]

Well done Tom    Confirms we also have two prior convictions for James prior to this last third one. From the dates showing, James should show on the 1861 but haven't been able to find him on the index as yet.

Monica

[Bilge]

Have you checked out this site The Black Sheep listing may contain him.

http://www.blacksheepindex.co.uk/BSI-MilsMons.pdf

sorry and this : http://www.blacksheepindex.co.uk/