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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Kent => Topic started by: hbaid on Saturday 28 May 05 12:58 BST (UK)
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I think I've found an ancestor in the 1881 census as a prisoner in H.M. Convict Prison Chatham Kent. Does anyone know if its possible (and how) to find out why somebody would be in prison during this time period and when they were released? Also, I can't find any information on Chatham prison itself. From the internet search I've done so far it seems as though it no longer exists.
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Hi
I am not 100% certain but this may have been the convict prison which later became the borstal:
http://www.borstal.org.uk/history/whats_in_a_name.shtml
For surviving court records ie. quarter sessions you will need to enquire with The Centre for Kentish Studies at Maidstone as to what survives the that particular date/area:
http://www.kent.gov.uk/e&l/artslib/archives/archcks.html
and/or Medway Archives
http://cityark.medway.gov.uk/
Both should also be able to tell you whether they know the whereabouts of any surviving records for the convict prison.
There are also some convict records at the National Archives ie.
1868-1971 Calendar of Prisoners - This class comprises after trial lists, mainly printed, of prisoners tried at Assize and Quarter Sessions. For each person they give: age, trade, previous convictions, name of committing magistrate, date of warrant, when received into custody, offence (and name of victim), date of trial, before whom tried, verdict, sentence or order of the court. They are arranged by year, county and date.
http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=253
Best wishes
Casalguidi
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I don't think the convict prison became the Borstal (but I will try to find out) as this was in the village of Borstal, close to Rochester. Also I seem to remember reading something about a convict prison being close to the barracks in Chatham/New Brompton. If I can find the info I will do another post.
I lived in the village of Borstal all my childhood up until I left at 21, round the corner from the Borstal Institution, and I think it arrived much later. There is no prison in Chatham now, the nearest is Maidstone - and the Borstal Institution is still there with the Cookham Wood prison for women offenders. Myra Hindley was there for a long time.
Honeybun
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Me again
Just been into the Armed Forces board and there is a question on institutions in the 1901 Census. On the website address there I found a reference to HM Convict prison in - Borstal.
It may not have been on the same site as the Borstal Institution now is - however the website is:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/Jeffrey.knaggs/Instuts.html
If I've transcribed this website wrongly, you could check it out on the board.
Honeybun
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Hi Honeybun
I have an old map of Medway, no idea what year, got it from one of those books with old pics in from library, but it shows the convict prison which is behind Brompton barracks out towards the river. If I can get my scanner working I'll email it to you.
As for Borstal Prison, different place altogether, see site
www.borstal.org.uk/
Patches
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Hi
If anyone wants to see map, cant attach it its too big, send me a pm with email address.
Patches
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Hi Patches
Haven't seen you on the website for a while and wondered if you were still on the family history trail!
I'm not the one wanting the info, that's hbaid, however I did read somewhere that there was a convict prison near the barracks in Brompton but I can't find my notes on it. Wonder if it was attached to the military? Only other thing I can think of are the prison hulks on the Medway, and that was around Charles Dickens' time.
Regards
Honeybun
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Hi
Wondered if anyone had information on Chatham Prison. My Great Great Grandfather was Assistant Warden there from Oct 1863 to June 1869 then Warden from June 1869 till his retirement in May 1881.
I have his retirement gift and testimonial.
Thanks.
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Hi Tewks
Welcome to Rootschat
Have you tried enquiring with Medway Archives or searching their website http://cityark.medway.gov.uk/ ???
As an aside, for others searching for information on prisoners there, I have just done a search of the National Archives website and found
Home Office and Prison Commission: Prisons Records, Series 1 PCOM 2/1
Prisoners: registers . Prisoners: registers CHATHAM, CO. KENT Home Office and Prison Commission: Prisons Records, Series 1 Prisoners: Registers
Date range: 1856 - 1859.
Other ref. numbers appear to be:
PCOM 2/2 1859-1866
PCOM 2/3 1866-1871
PCOM 2/4 1871-1881
PCOM 2/5 1881-1886
PCOM 2/6 1886-1892
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ - try searching for Chatham prison or Chatham prison registers
Casalguidi :)
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Hi
I have found this -
Crime, punishment, and reform in Europe
By Louis A. Knafla
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=508kHfewluIC&pg=PA113&lpg=PA113&dq=chatham+convict+records+%26+riots&source=bl&ots=FgJzwFEAjm&sig=sQat0Mv3za19DFLWbtYz15sav_0&hl=en&ei=dQtbSo-4MuW6jAeq2cgb&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1
Page 112
Also
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=392134.new#new
Wendy :)
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Hi Hbaid
Are you still looking for information on your ancestor who was in the convict prison? If so, what was his name/age/usual residence etc.?
Casalguidi :)
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hi
i am new to rootschat and i read this post about Chatham Prison and you say your great great grandfather was Assistant Warder there i am also looking for my Grt Grt Gtr Grandfather his name was George Venn he was born in Somerset in 1824 his Wife was Eliza
and he was Assistant Warder between 1861 and 1871 any help from any one would be appreciated thanks
dragon2fly
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I also have a relative that was in this prison on the 1881 & 1891 census.
His name was Harry Lockley b1856 in Birmingham his trade in 1871 census was a lock maker.
Would be nice to find out what offence he committed.
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Here you will find a good illustration of the interior.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0bf7/
Also see
http://www.medwaylines.com/chathamprison.htm
Jebber
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The Chatham Convict Prison was constructed around 1850 to replace the aging Prison Hulks on the River Medway at Chatham, and was located on St mary's Island. There was a large brickfield there and the prisoners made bricks. It closed in 1893 and was pulled down to make room for the Dockyard Extension and Barracks that later became known as HMS Pembroke. There is a lot of information and many old photographs of it here: http://www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=2646.0
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That is really interesting Leofwine :)
Casalguidi :)
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Hi everyone
Is anyone going to NA Kew ?? If yes, would you be kind enough to look up a convict for me please. Any other info to what I already have, see below, would be appreciated.
Joseph Houghton born 1855 Goole, Yks - Sentenced 24 July 1886 @ York to 10 yrs imprisonment for Sodomy.
He was listed as Prisoner at Chatham, Kent on 1891 census, so I presume he served his whole tarriff there.
Home Office and Prison Commission: Prisons Records, Series 1 PCOM 2/1
Prisoners: registers . Prisoners: registers CHATHAM, CO. KENT Home Office and Prison Commission: Prisons Records, Series 1 Prisoners: Registers Date range: 1856 - 1859.
PCOM 2/5 1881-1886
PCOM 2/6 1886-1892
Kind regards
bendywendy
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Hi Guys,
I'm new to the site but can advise that the convict prison in Chatham became part of Chatham Dockyard and is situated where the University is now. You would probably need the crowns or magistrates permission for historic details regarding incarceration, they may still hold the details.
The prison in Borstal wasn't built until around this period but probably wasn't fully functioning during the 1800s.