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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: SeanP on Wednesday 15 September 10 23:47 BST (UK)

Title: Police officer records ?? Help !
Post by: SeanP on Wednesday 15 September 10 23:47 BST (UK)
Hi All
Can anyone help, My great great grandfather Alfred Fox was a Police Constable in the 1891 Census and lived in Wells next to the Sea, can anyone point me towards being able to find info about his career as a bobby on the beat, I presume it was the Norfolk Constabulary then ?
Hope someone can steer me in the right direction.
Thanks all
Sean
Title: Re: POLICE OFFICER RECORDS ?? Help !
Post by: angelfish58 on Thursday 16 September 10 08:39 BST (UK)
Hi Sean, welcome to RootsChat. You could try here www.norfolk.police.uk/aboutus/ourhistory/aspx
 drat the link doesn't work, try Googling Norfolk police history  that should find it.
Title: Re: POLICE OFFICER RECORDS ?? Help !
Post by: angelfish58 on Thursday 16 September 10 08:46 BST (UK)
Or if you search for "tracing police ancestors" you should get some helpful results. There's a useful on-line article on the "Who Do You Think You Are" magazine website for example.
Title: Re: POLICE OFFICER RECORDS ?? Help !
Post by: SeanP on Thursday 16 September 10 20:18 BST (UK)
Many Thanks Angelfish.........
Ive been on the Norfolk Constabulary web and low and behold there my GG Grandad
hopefully they will be sending me info soon
Thanks Again
Sean
Title: Re: POLICE OFFICER RECORDS ?? Help !
Post by: autonm on Thursday 16 September 10 22:41 BST (UK)
I had a relation who worked for the Durham Police from 1895 until his death around 1927.

I contacted the police force and proved that I knew his DOB and explained how he was my Great Uncle etc. I received permission from Durham Police to access his police records.

I paid £12 for these - and it was amazing. I received 3 sheets of A3 documents. They detailed his height, weight, complexion etc. A full record of his service with all his promotions and dates. He started as a 3rd class Constable and by end of his service he was a Inspector !

Another page detailed his medical history and his misconducts, which included brawls and being drunk (apparently that was usual for a policeman back then).

Finally the last page had the best find ! When he died he left a pension of £60 per anum, which I believe was a lot of money back in the 1920's.

There was also information that he was awarded the MBE ! Which I traced further and found the entry in the London Gazette too.

I know I was lucky with all the above information - but I thought I would share my story, and hope that you find some similar details too.
Title: Re: POLICE OFFICER RECORDS ?? Help !
Post by: Lentilsoup on Sunday 19 September 10 22:02 BST (UK)
I borrowed this book from the library which has given me some info and a potted history,
Tracing your police ancestors - Stephen.   I think the Society of geneologists also have one in their 'My ancestor was ...........' series.  I have now found 5 policemen in my tree from India to Exeter!
Title: Re: Police officer records ?? Help !
Post by: SeanP on Wednesday 22 September 10 13:30 BST (UK)
autonm/ lentilsoup
Thanks for replying, I hope my results are as good as autonms.
But am still awaiting news from Norfolk Police.
Sean
Title: Re: Police officer records ?? Help !
Post by: Lentilsoup on Wednesday 22 September 10 13:34 BST (UK)
Keep us posted!