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Thanks to all who helped me locate my great-great-grandma Charlotte Morris in Strangeways prison, Cheetham Hill Manchester, in 1891.

Charlotte Morris's 's new born baby Hannah Morris was also missing off the 1891 census , along with her mother.

I have found an entry for a 9-month old baby called Hannah Morris in the same Cheetham District of Manchester.

Is it possible that she could have been kept in prison with her mother?

Does anyone know what the procedure was for female prisoners with new born babies?

Is it possible Hannah could have been born in prison?

Thank you.

Is this the family in 1901 ??


1901 England Census
about Hannah Morris
Name: Hannah Morris
Age: 12
Estimated birth year: abt 1889
Relation: Daughter
Father's name: William Hy Morris
Mother's name: Charlotte Morris
Gender: Female
Where born: Openshaw, Lancashire, England

Civil Parish: North Manchester
Ecclesiastical parish: Beswick and Bradford Christchurch
County/Island: Lancashire
Country: England
Registration district: Prestwich
Sub-registration district: Newton
ED, institution, or vessel: 33
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 41
Household Members:
Name Age
William Hy Morris 48
Charlotte Morris 47
James Morris 16
Hannah Morris 12
John Morris 6

1891 England Census
about Hannah Morris Name: Hannah Morris
Age: 9/12
Estimated birth year: abt 1890
Relation: Prisoner
Gender: Female
Where born: Manchester, Lancashire, England

Civil Parish: Cheetham
Ecclesiastical parish: St Albans
County/Island: Lancashire
Country: England


Registration district: Prestwich
Sub-registration district: Cheetham
ED, institution, or vessel: Strangeways Prison

Yes, Holly, that's them.

But Hannah is missing off the 1891 census, as is her mother Charlotte.

We found Charlotte in Strangeways prison, and today I found a reference to a 9-month old girl called Hannah Morris, in the same location, and as far as I can see, in the same prison.

Just wondering if this is possible and whether female prisoners could / would have their babies either with them or in care in the prison?

Cheers.

There are 39 pages of prisoners on that census but a couple of pages back is an S A Morris who is a widow so she may have been her baby.

Also a Mary Morris page 35

Bridget Morris p 32 single and 14

Char lte Morris 36 married page 32

"Babies in Prison
Babies Cot

Jottings from Jail Notes and Papers on Prison Matters 1887 by Rev. J W Horsley Chaplain of Her Majesty's Prison Clerkenwell.

"People probably do not picture babies in prison, but this is the second I have christened this month."

Thanks Mel

I have found several articles on the internet about Baby Wards in Victorian prisons, it seems to have been the norm.

It seems the entry for 9-month old Hannah in Strangeways is correct.
Her mother Charlotte Morris was there at the same time, aged 36, as you note.

There are two births of a Hannah Morris for 1889.

Hannah Morris 1889 Jan-Feb-Mar Lancashire

Hannah Morris 1889 Oct-Nov-Dec Lancashire

If you buy her birth cert and ask for the one with the mothers name of Charlotte that may help.

I can't find Charlotte in Criminal Registers to find what she did or how long her sentance was.

"If you buy her birth cert and ask for the one with the mothers name of Charlotte that may help.

I can't find Charlotte in Criminal Registers to find what she did or how long her sentance was."

Thanks very much Mel, it's a pity we can't find out why she was in.

Any other ways to find out? Contact the prison directly?

I just rang the prison and have been told I have to write to the Govenor and they will search their records.

Here is William and other children on the 1891 census just for ref

1891 England Census
about William H Morris Name: William H Morris
Age: 36
Estimated birth year: abt 1855
Relation: Head
Gender: Male
Where born: Salford, Lancashire, England

Civil Parish: Ardwick
Ecclesiastical parish: St Silas
County/Island: Lancashire
Country: England

Street address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Education:

Employment status: View image

Registration district: Chorlton
Sub-registration district: Ardwick
ED, institution, or vessel: 23
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
William H Morris 36
Eivina Morris 11 Shoud read Lavinia I think.
James Morris 6

Do you know Charlotte's maiden name?

yes, it's Bowcock

yes, that census 1901 entry is the one we have and believe to be correct.

Hannah was not born in prison (or at least not Strangeways) as she was registered in Blackburn district

Lancashire Birth indexes for the years: 1889
Surname Forename(s) Sub-District Registers At Mother's Maiden Name Reference
MORRIS Hannah Blackburn Southern Blackburn RILEY BS/11/84

so it is the jan/feb/mar qtr one you need

Births Mar 1889 (>99%)
Morris Hannah Blackburn 8e 419

edit

sorry was getting mixed up with another thread where mmn = Riley

so it is the Barton Island one dec qtr not the one above. I think Strangeways is not in that reg district

for more info see

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards.page/board/records_office/thread/1256928

you have put above that Charlottes maiden name was Bowcock

Does that mean you now have one of her children's birth certificates

In this thread you had not decided whether she was Charlotte mellor or Charlotte Bowcock as both married a William Henry Morris

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards.page/board/records_office/thread/1256826

Sorry Ann I'm in a lesson now, PLEASE look out for my reply in an hour or so, if possible....Thanks!

I found baptisms for a James 21-1-1885, Walter, 17-6-1888, John 21-11-1894 and Hannah 2-4-1890 with parents William Henry & Charlotte

All at Bradford Lancs (which I think is a district of manchester)

If this is the right Hannah she was more than 9 mths old at the census point in 1891

There were other at Christ Church Bradford such as Joseph 1892, Sam 1875 & Ellen 1877