convict info please help

[kncmason]

I have an relitive Albert Selby born 1879 in Lambley Notts in on the 1891 Census he was living with his parents but on the 1901 census he was a convict in Grove Dorset he was out again by 1908 when he married Eliza Parr. Can anyone tell me if I can and were I may find out what he did to go to prison. It has been a rumor in  the family it was murder but no-one talks about it and since he was only in for a short time i didn't think it would be as serious but I gues those days were different.
I would appreciate any help.

Cheers
Kara

[willow154]

Hi Kara,
When I first read your thread I wondered whether the information you need might be down in Dorset, where Portland Convict Prison was situated, but on reading the following thread I realised that I might be able to help.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,113703.from1134949587/topicseen.html
If you contact the Local Studies Library, in Nottingham, they have copies of all the Nottingham/Nottinghamshire newspapers that would have run reports on this event (they also have these newspapers at the Nottingham University Library). The main newspapers operating in Nottingham at the time would have been The Nottingham Evening Post, The Nottingham Daily Express, and The Nottingham Daily Guardian.
The problem in asking the library to do a search is that we don't have a precise date or near date, at the moment.
 There's a vague possibility that they might have Albert's name in their names/topic index - in which case they will have details of where they got the information from, or even a cut out article. It's worth asking!
http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/sitemap/leisure_and_culture/libraries/lc_find_your_local_library/lc_nottingham_central_library/lcli_central_library_floor_4.htm
Then there are the quarter sessions records, as mentioned in the rootschat thread; and possibly it might be worth contacting the archivist at The Galleries of Justice, as she might know of him and have some record.
http://www.galleriesofjustice.org.uk/
Anyway, hope these suggestions help.
Please feel free to ask if you need more help.
Kind regards,
Paulene
Good luck!

[kncmason]

Thanks Paulene
I have emailed the Notts Library but they can't just search a name on the papers they need a date, but they put me in touch with the Dorset History center so I will wait and see if they come back with anything.
It's a tricky one being on the other side of the world! May need to wait till Oct when parents are in UK and get them to hunt it out! Anything to finally put the family right about what he did. There are so many rumors and it hasn't helped with doing my family tree, because of this no one want to give any info. But I persisted and did it any way!
Anyways thanks again.

Cheers
Kara

[willow154]

Hi Kara,
I didn't think the local studies library would be able to do a search without a date to within a few days.
Still think it might be worth emailing the Galleries of Justice - what can you lose!
The Nottinghamshire Archives have a couple of Persons Indexes and if you email them they will tell you if his name is in those - if he's mentioned in the Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions records it may well be.
I noticed that there are several family trees where Albert or his son are listed an ancestry - have you tried getting in contact with the owners of the trees to see if they know any more?
Such a pity we can't pinpoint the date a bit better.
I suppose you  kow his name is listed on the following sirte (whether they can give any further information I'm not sure):
http://blacksheepancestors.com/uk/portland2.shtml
It's certainly worth emailing Notts Archives, Kara.
http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/leisure/archives/libraries-archives-contact.htm
Bye for now,
Paulene
Keep at it!

[kncmason]

Hi Paulene
Thi is going to sound silly but how do I find the trees that also have Albert Selby in them? Not much of a computer wiz me!!
Still trying to find out what he did have now emAiled HM Preison services to see if they can help!

Cheers
Kara

[willow154]

Hi Kara,
You can access the ones on ancestry yourself - they do a 14 day free trial (no commitment - if you don't want to take out a subscription just inform them):
www.ancestry.com
I'll have a look on GenesReunited tonight in case there are any trees listed there with his name - so will get back to you later.
Paulene

[kncmason]

Hi Paulene
your a gem but I am a member of both ancestry.com.au and Genes Reunited and there is only one person I can find with a match and they are in the same boat as me, but I haven't been able to contact her of late.
I really appreciate your help.

Have a great day
Kara

[willow154]

Hi Kara,
Just had a quick look through 'A Grim Almanac of Nottinghamshire' to see if he's mentioned, but nothing at first glance.
Found that Notts Archives have the following, but I don't know if it's just Nottingham or Notts:
Criminal photograph books
Coverage: 1884 - 1908
Series of books giving the name of the convict, their physical description, place of birth, marital status, trade or occupation, details of their conviction, and their photograph.
Worth emailing them to ask what it contains, Kara.
Paulene

[kncmason]

Thank you again. I have emailed so i'll wait and see. I have had a resonse from the prison and they have said if records exist still that will be at National Archives but they have said they don't have them the prison dose so I am clarifying with NA that they no longer exist. But I am trying to now see if they have the Court of Assizes records for 1891 to 1901 this may have the info I need. Next step is the HM Court Service to see if they have anything too. I am adament I will find something! Thank fulyy Mum & Dad are booked to travel to UK later in year so I can also get them to search these places too!
Thanks again for your help
Kara