Genealogy Chat

Heather, I just found my 'proper convict' today. Loads of hubby's Ariels were dodgy, just too wealthy to get caught. But this one is mine. William Batman got transported for fourteen years for 'being in possession of stolen saltpetre'. Didn't even know what it was. He's my 4xg grandfather. I learnt all about his son(brother of my 3x ggf) in school. Almost as good as when I found my first Fanny.

Well, at least my guy was a 'white collar' criminal!

I was very pleased to find husband's great-great-grandfather in Parkhurst. Don't know what he did yet, but apparently Parkhurst was for very bad persons, and he did live in a notorious den of thieves/prostitutes. My own Wm Mealing was mad, bad and dangerous to know and lived for over 40 years in Broadmoor. Although his story is very sad, I do know a lot more about his family than I would have done had he just lived the life of an ag lab. For example, I have a record of some words his mother and father actually spoke at his trial for murder. But on the plus side, I do have 4 great-uncles who joined the Metropolitan police and one who was a City of London policeman.

No Paul (she says, again putting off, erm down, her pencil re her accounts). I guess you dont have a 'local' prison - like now, I suppose it depends on the case : Aug. 1883 Scope and content CRIMINAL - LIST OF CRIMINAL CASES, INCLUDING EXTRADITION CASES: EDROFF, Henry COURT: High Court of Justice OFFENCE: Acting as Solicitor SENTENCE: 3 months Access conditions Normal Closure before FOI Act: 30 years Closure status Open Document, Open Description Held by The National Archives, Kew This guy was the grandson of my Mary Hanson (yes, the loony Hansons of the East End). She married Thomas Edroff - Henry their son turns up in Southwark as a coffee house proprietor - the wife dies young - young Henry (as in above courtcase) the son is living with dad and occupation shown as Solicitors clerk in 1881. So I guess he was already up to something at that time.

Hi Heather Do you know which prison? I am sure you wil be aware that there are several sets of prison records online now - def worth a search. I have a ex con in my tree, found him on the bucks cc website, emailed them to see if they had any more info, and to my surprise they dug out some interview notes from his initial admission - absolute gold ! it is definitely worth a dig round. Cheers ... Paul

Glen, she says, putting down her calculator and pencil, do you wear a kilt with that thong? NOW I must get on! In line for slapping me guys!

I've just seen in another thread that Heather is fiddling the books. OOPS sorry meant doing the accounts because the accountant has been pestering for them!! Glen (bored to tears today)

OOh, I want one too. I did evidently have an ancestor who got put away for knocking a policeman off his bicycle, but I haven't found him yet.

And never having been to a Norwich nightclub in my life........we have to make our own entertainment in these rural parts you know.Scotland isn't everything it's cracked up to be. Glen

Shes there old crone and stop reading filth.

Heather Never mind all that - WHAT ABOUT MY ELLINOR GREEN?!?!? OC

My god Glen, you have a good memory - you are of course referring to the period of my life as the Condom Queen of Norwich Gay Life. I expect the News of the World would be interested. Though even more so in a grown man who wears a thong with tinsel in it.

So that makes two in your tree then? Him and you? I dare say there is the odd tale to discover about your 'nightclub' past. Glen

After centuries of goody goodies - Ive found one Edroff being done in 1883 for 'acting as a solicitor'. In the 1881 he is shown as solicitor's clerk. He got three months for it. Shame you cant get the details on line from NA.