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Prisoner Ancestor 1871 census

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Benjamin

Benjamin Report 24 Nov 2006 23:23

Hi I just found my first criminal ancestor Richard Richardson on the 1871 census at Springfield Gaol in Essex. He was born in Terling, Essex in 1848 and married in 1869, yet he also appears at home with his family on the 1871 census in Terling. His details match exactly. Could it be that because he was in prison, the family were too ashamed and noted him down as being at home? I have checked and checked and he was the only Richard Richardson born in Terling at that time so he must be the same person. Now I am going to hopefully hunt down his prison records to find out what he had done. Thanks Ben

imp

imp Report 24 Nov 2006 23:39

That is confusing, Richard Richardson Son, Richard Richardson Nephew, and Richard Richardson in prison. All the same age. Which one is really in prison - the nephew or the son? Regards Gail

Georgina

Georgina Report 25 Nov 2006 08:25

Ben maybe he was just drunk & disorderley & thrown in Jail for the night? Georgina.

Benjamin

Benjamin Report 25 Nov 2006 11:59

Hi all He was actually in the County Jail in Springfield, Chelmsford. There was the son and nephew but with all my research there was only ever 1 Richard Richardson ever born in Terling, and I have checked all forename and surname variants and done birthplace searches, and there was only 1 Richard Richardson who was married in Essex in 1865 to 1871 so the one in prison has got to be my ancestor. I'm sure if he was just drunk then he would be in the local police station rather than the actual County nick though so I need to find out what he was in prison for. Interesting. Ben

Joan

Joan Report 25 Nov 2006 15:13

Let us know how you get on Benjamin, Good luck, Joan