McDONALD, Donald (Daniel) tried Edinburgh 16 July 1829 - HOW TO ACCESS TRIAL REC

[mead researcher]

I may not be in the right area for this enquiry....?

I have information from WSR@nas.gov.uk that the record I would like to be able to access is available.
See below:
Minute book for Edinburgh 16 Jul 1829-12 Mar 1830 (ref: JC8/24) regarding Donald McDONALD accused of the crime of theft. Consisting of 3 pages. He was found guilty and sentenced to transportation for a period of seven years.
There may also be a bundle of case papers, "processes" or "process papers" (no details on whether or not).
It would be great if anyone could help me with this.
Donald McDONALD was my Great Great Grandfather - he served his sentence in NSW, Australia.
Regards from Down Under (where it is currently pouring with rain)
Barbara

[Neale1961]

Is this him? Gives the correct reference number for NRS.
https://www.scottishindexes.com/jcdetail.aspx?jcid=1829334&pid=182933401

Looks as if he was a naughty lad. This is his previous conviction.
http://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue/details.aspx?reference=AD14%2f26%2f354&st=1&tc=y&tl=n&tn=n&tp=n&k=Donald+macdonald&ko=a&r=AD14%2f26&ro=s&df=&dt=&di=y

[Forfarian]

The place you need to ask about this is the National Records of Scotland https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/ - all the information you need is there, but it sometimes takes a bit of finding on their web site. Have a good rake about on that site.

https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/future-publications/ordering-records summarises your options. In your case, I suggest that the best option is to order photocopies of the 3 pages. You do this by replying to the e-mail you already have (or by e-mailing lsrhe@scotlandspeople.gov.uk as described on https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/about-us/contact-us and telling them the catalogue reference of the documents you want).

That reference (JC8/24) looks a bit short to me, so I looked at the NRS online catalogue and found the following
JC26/1829/334 Trial papers relating to Donald McDonald for the crime of theft at St Andrew's Square, Edinburgh. Tried at High Court, Edinburgh 16 Jul 1829.

https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/visit-us/historical-search-room/copying-services tells you about the fees for copies if you are not in a position to visit the search rooms in person
https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files//research/historical-search-room/NRS%20-%20Historical%20Search%20Room%20fees%20and%20charges%20-%2020%20April%202018.pdf

Be aware that the NRS are currently closed because of Covid-19 and it may take some time before you actually get your copies.

You can also hire professional searchers to get the documents for you. Besides Scottish Indexes there is a list of such searchers at https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/researching-online/paying-for-research but they will not be able to do anything until the NRS search rooms reopen, which, so I gather, will not be until at least March 2021.
 

[Neale1961]

Possible baptism for Daniel MacDonald - Canongate / Edinburgh, 3 July 1811
Parents John MacDonald and Elizabeth Simpson

ADDED:
Another son named William was born in Aberdeen  in 1815. This was at the time that John was a hotelkeeper in Aberdeen.

John MacDonald and Elizabeth Simpson were married in Canongate 10 November 1810.

[DonM]

Here is the newspaper clipping.

[mead researcher]

Many thanks to all for your feedback and advice.  The newspaper clipping is especially of great interest. 
Any chance of knowing what newspaper it was in...?

Re msg posted by: Neale1961 - refers to a previous conviction -
Title    Precognition against Daniel MacDonald for the crime of culpable homicide
Dates    1826

If he was accused of murder - there must be more to it...?
Any suggestions on how to follow up...?
Barbara

[wivenhoe]

Use this website - https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

Select ....Scotland......Glasgow Herald.......11 September 1826.......

it finds...."Daniel or Donald McDONALD culpable homicide"..... (use this as search words)

you need to create an account and buy credit to see the entire article.

The 1829 matter is in the Edinburgh Evening Courant 18 July 1829.

[Neale1961]

If you want the full details of either or both court cases, you would order the documents as explained by Forfarian.

In the British newspaper archive, the case is also in the “Caledonian Mercury” 7 October 1826.
From memory once you subscribe you get a few (maybe three) free downloads.

[Millmoor]

Have to say that I think the Daniel or Donald in the 1826 Glasgow Herald piece is a different man. He was from the Upper Ward of Renfrewshire.

If you have not done so it is well worth looking at the entry for your ancestor in the Criminal Database in Scottish Indexes. This indicates he was 17 , a groom and  the son of John McDonald, in service in London, formerly a hotelkeeper in Aberdeeen. The theft took place in St Andrews Square, Edinburgh. His previous conviction was for theft - Edinburgh Police Court 2 June 1827.

William