Wanted - My Ancestor was a Murderer!

[Dan Waddell]

Hi,

Apologies if this is in the wrong section, but I couldn't seem to start a new topic in the 'Wanted' section.

Also apologies for this approach, but I figured that if you were kind enough to help West Mercia police then you'd maybe help me!

I wrote a couple of books that accompanied the first two series of WDYTYA? Penguin have just published my first crime novel, The Blood Detective, which features a genealogist helping the police track a serial killer.

Now that I've plugged it  I'll get on with my plea for help. I'd really like to get in touch with people who have an ancestor who was a murderer. If any of you on here have such an ancestor, or knows someone who does, and would be willing to get in touch with me, then feel free to send me a pm or email me on dan [--at--] dan.waddell.net . I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks. And sorry for the intrusion.

cheers

Dan

www.danwaddell.net

Moderator Comment: e-mail edited, to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please replace [AT] with @

[Roobarb]

Hi Dan, welcome to Rootschat.
First of all let me say that I don't have any ancestors who were murderers so I can't help you in that respect. I read your post at 8:58 so have been watching WDYTYA and am sure many Rootschatters will have been. I then saw that there were no answers to your post and didn't want you to think you've been ignored.
My reply will bring your post back up to the top of the board though, so maybe someone who has just signed on will notice it now. I'm sure there will be someone on RC who has that particular skeleton in their cupboard!
Your novel sounds really interesting, will check it out. And please don't think you have intruded, I'm sure many other Rootschatters will be interested to read your post.

[Dan Waddell]

Thanks for the welcome Roobarb. And for the bump too. I was a bit unsure where to put my post so I'm relieved to know it's not in the wrong place.

I saw WDYTYA too. Pretty good. Sounds weird, but I prefer it when it's not actors myself.

[kizmiaz]

As far as I have been able to establish, one of my ggg-uncles, a chap by the name of William Scully, was convicted of wilful murder in 1883 for stabbing a love rival in the neck. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but seems to have only served about 7 years, since he appeared back at home with the family for the 1891 census.

Lots of newspaper reports about the case. The only real rogue I've found (so far) in my tree.

Glen

[Roobarb]

I saw WDYTYA too. Pretty good. Sounds weird, but I prefer it when it's not actors myself.

I know what you mean Dan, they could be putting the emotion on! I don't think Patsy was though, I found it quite touching, she was so pleased to find out that her ancestors weren't all rogues. And it's the only time I've seen her face crease!
                                                             

[Erato]

No known murderers in my family.  I have victims, though, if they are of any use to you.

[Dan Waddell]

Thanks for your replies (and the kind mod who saved me from death by spam  )

Erato, are those victims of murder?

Any more with blood on/in their ancestral trails who are willing to contact me would be great, or if you want to know anything about my book or anything like that, just ask.

cheers

Dan

[kerryb]

Hi Dan

Welcome to Rootschat and the book sounds interesting.

I am sure someone on the Sussex board has links to the chap involved in the Onion Pie murder in Sussex.  A woman hanged for murdering her husband and her lover got off.  I think his name was Hickman.  I will search and see if I can lead you to the right person.  It is a fascinating story.

Kerry

Added - this is the thread about it http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,289858.0.html but on reading again it looks like they may not have proved he was an ancestor 

[Erato]

Yes, victims in a notorious murder case in the USA.