« Reply #18 on: Monday 10 August 20 07:37 BST (UK) »
Hi Lisa,
Another bit of advice I would give is to check out the 'Police Identification' file and possibly the album if you find a relevant name at the archives. I would say this to anyone who had ancestors around the North Shields vicinity at that time. The album contains very good quality photos of hundreds of some of the people who were convicted of a range of criminal offences. I have found a very good 1911 photo of my Grandfather's cousin in there and also a one of my Great Grandfather's niece's husband as well as having found photos for other people's ancestors in the past. I know on the one hand we shouldn't hope to find out that our ancestors were criminals but on the positive side if they committed crime in this area a photo of them might exist in the album which is huge and comes in a great big box.
The Police Identification file is usually kept on the shelves immediately behind the lockers and the hat & coat stand. Any problems ask the staff. This contains an index of names. If you see a potential name you can order the album out.
The reference you need to request this fascinating mugshots album out is:
DX1388/1
Under each name is the date of conviction. With the date of conviction it is usually possible to find out more about the offence and person by looking in the Shields Daily News - copies on microfilm at North Shields local studies. They do have hard copies too but understandably generally prefer people to use the microfilms. The newspaper reports are usually good for helping to clarify if the person might really be an ancestor.
You can use a camera to take photos of anything of interest after filling out a form and making payment - I can't remember exactly but I think it might have been around £9 for the day. If you do want to do something like this (such as if you do find a photo of an ancestor and want a copy) it might be worth enquiring about cost before you go. As I remember you can arrange for staff to take a photo from the Police album and email this to you but this costs a bit more. It is also possible to print off records from microfilms very cheaply.
Another thought about possibility of what may have become of Joseph is might he have been killed during the Great War?
Conroy, Fitzpatrick, Watson, Miller, Davis/Davies, Brown, Senior, Dodds, Grieveson, Gamesby, Simpson, Rose, Gilboy, Malloy, Dalton, Young, Saint, Anderson, Allen, McKetterick, McCabe, Drummond, Parkinson, Armstrong, McCarroll, Innes, Marshall, Atkinson, Glendinning, Fenwick, Bonner
