Criminal Great Grandad

[Keithchr]

Please see the attached newspaper clipping from the News of The World (England) for 10 May 1896. This unfortunately refers to my great grandad and his first wife Catherine Christie nee Murrison who married in Dundee Scotland in 1879.

I was hoping to find out more about this from the official records (police or prison records) - but am not sure where to start looking.

Any pointers would be gratefully received.

Thank you

[oldtimer]

Hi Keith 

What a sad story! Do you know what happened to the poor children after their parents were gaoled? Obviously at least one survived, or else you wouldn't be here to tell the tale!  Did your great grandad repent of his ways?

Hope you manage to find out some more about this case. Sorry I can't help you, but I shall watch this thread with great interest.

By the way, welcome to Rootschat and Merry Christmas!! 

Judy 

[seahall]

HI Keith/ Judy

You could see if there was a mention in the Quarter Sessions or Azzizes at the
relevant Record Office if they cover that period.

Also whether the local newspaper had an article outlining the case.

Sandy

[northern_rose]

Or try running the names through the National archives website or the Old Bailey website perhaps?

Good luck!

[Keithchr]

Thank you Judy, Sandy and Northern Rose.
The case was heard at Westminster Police Court (or was it the Assizes?) - the judge Dr. de Rutzen presided there sometimes. There is nothing on the Old Bailey list for that reason.
James Christie's wife Catherine disappears from view after 1896. He met my Gt. Grandmother Mary Elizabeth Austin and had 6 more children by her between 1896 and 1903 - finally marrying her in 1916! His condition on the marriage certificate stated that he was a widower. Perhaps he had to wait until Catherine had died before marrying Mary.

The children from his 1st marriage all survived until adulthood.

Criminal information from around this time is very hard to locate in London - hence this posting.

[Dkosmayer]

Sorry a bit off topic here but what does gaoled mean?  I have never heard this tearm before.




Daniel Kosmayer

[LizzieW]

Hi Daniel

Welcome to Rootschat.

Gaoled is just another spelling for jailed.  That is was sent to jail.

Lizzie

ps It is pronounced as jailed.

[Subaru]

That's so sad Keith.

It makes you wonder though, what led to her drinking in the first place? Probably filthy conditions, maybe post-natal depression, definitely depression, leading to the drink, leading to her becoming an alcoholic.  Nowadays she would have had help, and the children (hopefully) would have been placed in foster care until it was safe for them to go back home.

They probably ended up in the workhouse for a while, unless there were other relatives who were willing to house them for a while.

I do hope yr gr grandfather was a better dad second time around, just a shame for the first set of offspring.

Rosemary