Penal question

[Falleniceangel]

In 1866 one of my relatives was given a ten year penal servitude sentence. Does this mean his was bounced off to Oz or could he have done his time in the Uk? How do I find out where he served his time?

[Mort29]

The last transportees arrived in 1868 ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convicts_in_Australia

you need to locate the relevant Assize Court records.

Altho I recall that Ancestry has some such records - what was his name and which County etc ?

[Falleniceangel]

It's for a Samuel Wignall from Lancashire, convicted July 1866.

[stanmapstone]

Under the Penal Servitude Act of 1853 those sentenced to less than fourteen years transportation were to serve their sentence in a British Convict Prison.

Stan

[Falleniceangel]

I've found him listed on the records as going to Oz twice! Must have needed his tan topping up

[stanmapstone]

After the abolition of transportation in 1867, Penal Servitude was the sole long term punishment and could not be given for less the three years, but a shorter prison sentence could be made more severe by by the imposition of hard labour. Transportation to Western Australia ceased in 1867. The actual sentence of transportation was finally abolished in 1887.

Stan

[Falleniceangel]

I've found he was the Hougoumont, which was the last ship to leave. Not sure if that was lucky or unlucky

[Mort29]

Samuel Wignall

Date of Trial - 2 Jul 1866
Location of Trial - Lancashire, England
Sentence: Penal Servitude (NOT Imprisonment) - 10 years - not noted where, presumably he just qualified for OZ.
Crime: Larcency from Person


Noted as having 1 previous Larceny conviction and 1 misdemeanor


--------------

The transportation status and other points are made in the Wiki link already given.

[Falleniceangel]

Thanks for that I'm having a few website issues today! I think it's looking like it is the right Samuel too as he vanishes after this. There's a Sarah Wignall getting married at the registary office a few years later too, so I wonder if that was his wife remarrying, as I think they could do after 7 years or something or another

Thanks all!