Gillingham Male Convict Prison c1871

[MissyB]

Hello,

I am very new to this site so please forgive me if this has been covered somewhere before, however I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

My gr gr grandfather, Enoch ALLMAN was born in Shrewsbury in 1849, however in the 1871 census he turns up in Gillingham Male Convict Prison. This probably explains how he ended up in SE London to marry Elizabeth MINTER in 1878.

How do I find out what he did to end up in prison, and how long he was in for?

Thank you,

Missy B

[casalguidi]

Hi MissyB

There are a number of convict records at the National Archives, Kew, London.  See their research guide for convicts and prisoners (follow the Research, education & online exhibitions link at the top of the home page) http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk to see what they have.

In particular there are some records

1824-1876 Convict Prisons: Quarterly Returns of Prisoners - Sworn lists of convicts on board the hulks and in prisons, giving age, conviction, sentence, health, behaviour, mental state, remarks (removed, released, etc.) The Catalogue (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue) lists the hulks included in each document, and its geographical location.

in class HO 8 for Chatham convict prison though I am not sure if Gillingham convict prison and Chatham convict prison are one and the same (Gillingham & Chatham being right next door to each other) - can anybody confirm?

See also some further discussion which may be useful

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,61753.0.html

Casalguidi

[MissyB]

Thank you very much - I've got a lot of leads to try and follow up now!

I've avoided Kew and the National Archives up to now - I'm a tad daunted by the process of how to find info, but I guess I'll have to do it now!!

Thank you again for your help.

[casalguidi]

Hi Missyb

I don't know if you have made any progress with this but, if not, you might find the folliwing post interesting http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,61753.msg1780831.html#msg1780831

Casalguidi

[casalguidi]

Would this be him?

Enoch ALLMAN tried at the Shrewsbury, Salop quarter sessions 6 Jan 1870 and sentenced to 5 years penal servitude for larceny.

Casalguidi

[chilblain23]

I am new also to this site, & have the same question. William Hill, 23, french polisher, is shown in the 1871 England Census, as being an Inmate at the Male Convict Prison, Gillingham, Medway, Kent.Any info on his crime etc, would be appreciated. He wed in 1874, with his fathers name given as William Hill, french polisher.
thanks !