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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Kent => Topic started by: britboy1966 on Wednesday 06 February 08 04:39 GMT (UK)

Title: Prison Records - Maidstone Kent
Post by: britboy1966 on Wednesday 06 February 08 04:39 GMT (UK)
Im trying to find a way to find out the circumstances behind the incarceration of an Alfred Jarvis in Maidstone Prison.

He is shown as being a "resident" here in the 1891 Census
He would have been born in Chatham Kent in abt 1848

Thanks!
Title: Re: Prison Records - Maidstone Kent
Post by: grandarog on Tuesday 26 February 08 19:29 GMT (UK)
If I remember right I think you will find some records for Maidstone Jail on line on A2A .Also you could try Contacting Centre for Kentish Studies at Maidstone.Regards Rog
Title: Re: Prison Records - Maidstone Kent
Post by: britboy1966 on Wednesday 27 February 08 14:50 GMT (UK)
Thanks Rog.

I have an email into them and am awaiting a response.  I cant find the records as showing up on either entities search facilities
Title: Re: Prison Records - Maidstone Kent
Post by: casalguidi on Wednesday 27 February 08 21:35 GMT (UK)
As far as I am aware, the prisoner records for Maidstone are still with the prison service.  It was some years ago when I read this and I haven't heard of any change but the Centre of Kentish Studies will clarify.  They may have some court records at Maidstone - petty sessions, quarter sessions etc. - you will need to enquire as to what survives but the difficulty you may have is what is where ie. where the offence took place as Medway (Chatham/Gillingham/Rochester) no longer comes under Kent County Council and they are responsible for their own records at Medway Archives.

Local newspapers are also an option but it could be a long search without a firm date.

Casalguidi
Title: Re: Prison Records - Maidstone Kent
Post by: britboy1966 on Wednesday 27 February 08 22:55 GMT (UK)
Thats good to know as he was a resident of Chatham before and Gillingham after and so very likely to have occurred in this area

Thanks Casalguidi
Title: Re: Prison Records - Maidstone Kent
Post by: BrendaP on Tuesday 25 March 08 12:44 GMT (UK)
I had one sideways link who was in Maidstone prison in 1851.  I found him in the Quarter Session records at CKS Maidstone - on microfilm.  However, the first sentence for passing counterfeit half crown would have been completed before the census and the second offence, for stealing cut grass and feeding it to his donkeys, wasn't until after census night, so I'm still none the wiser as to why he was there for the census.