My great-grandfather was sent to the boys Industrial School/reformatory scool on the ship the Akbar in Liverpool at the age of 15. He had been in trouble with the law before and because he stole a watch in 1903 he was sent to the ship for four years.
Our family had no idea of this until I read it in a newspaper, so it came as a bit of a shock to my mum. I wanted to find out more about what happened to him and what he did there. I bought a book that mentioned The Akbar and gave some details but I read that the Lancashire Records Office in Preston hold the records for the school. Has anyone had access to the records has seen what information is held there? How much do thy tell you and do they go back as far as 1903?
Also I understand that the school was removed from the ship in 1907 and transferred to a building on land in Haswell, Cheshire. This would seem to coincide with my great-grandfather's last few months at the school, presumably the records for that school are also held at the same office.
Any help would be appreciated.
