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Tracing Prison census records

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Dave

Dave Report 24 Aug 2008 17:19

Well, I'm pleased to be able to report - for all those interested - that I have now located records for Grandfather Alfred, but under the spelling of Sparks rather than Sparkes. So, even though he seems to have been a bit of a lad, he seems to have been with Grandma, my 3 Aunts and my Dad at the time of the census. Phew, panic over, no need to transport me to Botany Bay !!

Dave

Dave Report 23 Aug 2008 12:03

Thanks to all who have heard my plea regarding the whereabouts of my somewhat errant paternal Grandfather !! As one of you suggected, I shall be fully checking the National Archive records over the next couple of days or so. Thanks again. Dave.

Staffs Col

Staffs Col Report 23 Aug 2008 11:06

Prison records are held at individual county and city record offices and at the National Archives

Jeanette

Jeanette Report 23 Aug 2008 11:02

There are prisoners on 1901 census on Ancestry but I can't find a record for Alfred.

There is this one though

1901 England Census
about Alfred Sparks
Name: Alfred Sparks
Age: 46
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1855
Relation: Inmate
Gender: Male
Where born: Islington, London, England

Civil Parish: Islington
Ecclesiastical parish: St John
County/Island: London
Country: England

Street address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Education:

Employment status: View Image

Registration district: Islington
Sub registration district: Upper Holloway
ED, institution, or vessel: St Mary Islington Workhouse
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 1

GlitterBaby

GlitterBaby Report 23 Aug 2008 10:59

Born when and where?


Possible location?

He might just be listed by his initials

Dave

Dave Report 23 Aug 2008 10:52

Sad to relate that I have now discovered that my Grandfather Alfred Sparkes was a known 'villain' back in the late 19th century, and actually served 6 months hard labour - this in late September 1882 - for stealing some pears. The Times reported the case, and did declare Grandfather to be a gambler and a felon. He does not appear on the 1901 census - although the remaining family at that time do - so I suspect that he may have been in prison at the time of the 1901 census. That being the case, can anyone tell me if all prisons in the land conducted a similar census in 1901 and, if so, where I would need to go to check these type of records. Any help given would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much.