Genealogy Chat

(see below)

You may have seen my message the other day saying that I was going to the Newspaper Archive and Kew PRO yesterday to see what I could find on my gr-gr-gr-grandfather, John Rutland, who was transported to Tasmania in 1844 for setting fire to a barley stack. Great News ! At Colindale I found really detailed reports, in both the 'Norwich Mercury' and the 'Norfolk Chronicle and Norwich Gazette' on both his trial, and sentencing a week later. At Kew I found his listing in the 'Norfolk Circuit Assizes Gaol Book' and on the convict listing of the ship 'David Malcolm' that carried him to VDL. The newspaper reports are fascinating. It seems that large feature of the prosecution case rested on a terpentine-soaked rag that was found at the scene, and the bottle of terps found at John's house, that was shown to have recently been used due to dust on it's neck having been washed away. John claimed that, as a brickmaker, it was quite common knowledge that terps was regularly used to harden the fingers. Also, there had been a conversation in the pub regarding a recent farm fire, to which John was quoted as saying 'I predict there will be a fire at Dix's farm before the year is out'. The report on the sentencing is particularly interesting from a historical point of view. I've read that by this decade, the value of transportation as a penalty was being seriously questioned and, in fact, would quite soon be abandoned. The judge in my newspaper report is quoted as describing his duty to pass a transportation sentence, despite the seriousness of the crime, as extremely painful and regrettable. Some of you advised that it was perhaps pushing it to attempt both Colindale & Kew in one day. I think I got away with it because I knew the exact-ish details of what and when I was looking for, and had ordered the relevant docs in advance. I was also quite strict with myself in not getting sidetracked. For any of you considering more 'speculative' visits, it probably is true to say that you couldn't manage both in one day - particularly given that each location is a good 45 out of central London, in opposite directions. As to other tips for those of you planning a first visit, there isn't really that much to say, mainly as the staff/guidance in each location are so helpful that you really can't go wrong. Both locations are very pleasant, in different ways - Colindale has the comfortable, almost venerable, atmosphere of any local library, whilst Kew is a very impressive, modern faclity. (The only other piece of advice I'd give about Kew, if you walk there from the tube station, is : if you don't already live in a lovely house, or happen to have the odd spare £700K to spare, be prepared to be turned green with envy at the beautiful houses and tree-lined avenues that you pass through on the walk to the archive ! Mind you, they are under a flight path so yah boo sucks to them !) Simon

Well done Simon! You sound like you had the same success I had at Edinburgh last Friday. Except I have now come home with even more questions. I have been on the general board and put my messages there - but I think they should probably have come on here now! Regards Abigail

Should also add, if you're anything like me you really could spend days and days engrossed at Colindale. To me, any old random antique newspaper would be interesting. If it also happens to be relevant to your locality then you're even more likely to become engrossed. If you add to that specific details about someone in your family then you can easily kiss goodbye to an hour or four ! Simon

Simon, Thank you for all that detailed information. Really fascinating. How wonderful that you found out so much in just one day. I keep meaning to go to both Colindale and Kew but have not made it to either yet. Won't try them in one day though. At Kew I want to look up Army records and Merchant Navy records and have put off going because I think it might be a bit daunting, but you have inspired me and I'll make arrangements to go very soon. Jean.