Genealogy Chat

Grace The owner of The Black Sheep Index site has spent ages trawling through newspapers to collect names of people who have been to court. It lists surnames, first names, ages and address's, so you definatly know if they are your ancestors or not. You download and print out an order form, which you then post off with a cheque. It costs £6 a report (he sends a photocopy of the newspaper page) The more you order, the less it costs, eg £10 for two etc. I have also found details of a coroners report on the death of my g-g-g-grandmother, she was found dead in bed in 1877, aged 77. The coroners inquest was held in the bar of the pub on the corner of her road! The Index also has The Great War, The Police Index, Railways and a few others. The web site is .. http://www.lightage.demon(.)co(.)uk/ Remove brackets Sandra

Hi Sandra what is the black sheep index. Thanks Grace

Thanks Nell You have answered a question for me that I have wondered for ages! Two of my G-G-Uncles - William & Richard, had a fight in the pub where they were celebrating Richard's marriage, and killed a man. They were sentenced to hard labour. They were charged on remand at West Ham - where the incident occurred, and then committed for trial at The Old Bailey. Where my Nans oldest brother, who was only 10 years old was a witness! The charge was reduced from murder to manslaughter, they served 21 and 19 months respectively. This was Sept 1899. I had wondered why they had short sentences. Now I realise hard labour meant just that. I felt sorry for Richards wife, she didn't get to see her new husband for two years. He was still in there in the 1901 census. I found all this out on The Black Sheep Index Sandra

Thanks, Didn't know if there was a seperate prison for 'gentlemens' crimes. (Not that that was the case here). Thanks again. Joan

Hard labour meant just that - things like rock-breaking or oakum picking or on the treadmill. I don't think there was a soft option. nell

Thanks, just wasn't sure if 'Hard labour' ment they'd be sent to slightly 'tougher ' prisons or if it was just the local prison as opposed to a regional 'Tuff joint' If you get my drift. Thanks again Joan

Joan Probably in the area where they were sentenced, wherever the nearest prison was, I imagine. This info from National Archives may help: www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=253 Some county records offices have gaol registers too. nell

HI all, If someone was sentenced to a (several) short term of hard labour 1918/1925 in Chatham/Bristol/Glasgow/Durham areas where are they likely to have served their sentence and will i be able to get any info on this. Many thanks, Joan