Devon & Exeter Reformatory for Girls

[benlewis1127]

Hello i wonder if someone could help me. This is a noob/devon question, please forgive me if I'm in the wrong section   I've only started tracing back my ancestry's a few days ago and Ive found something really interesting about my great Grandmother. It appears in the 1901 census that she was a naughty girl and was in the Devon & Exeter Reformatory for Girls. I have checked the The National Archives for a copy of their records but unfortunately they do not have any records to 1901 (i emailed them and they said they had never received them - presumed destroyed). Is there any other possible way i can find out why she was in there? If anyones interested in helping here are her details

Also, she was born in Shropshire and moved to Devon Reformatory for Girls around the age of 16 does this not seem like a far way to go? why would she of gone so far away? It's possible this isn't my great grandmother, anyway to know for sure?


Jemima Lewis
Estimated Birth Year:    abt 1885
Death: Jul 1953

Mothers Maiden Name: Martin
Where born:    Lubberland, Shropshire, England

References on the census:
Piece:    2041
Folio:    98
Page Number:    42

Any help is greatly appreciated I'm stumped on this one !

[DOB7]

The following link gives an explanation as to why she might have been remanded there, plus details of records which are available - you may be in luck, these seem to be pre 1906.
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/councildemocracy/record_office/family_history_3/school_records/reformatory_schools.htm

[benlewis1127]

Hello

Thanks for your help however i have already found this site and the only pre 1906 is the Boys Reformatory, the girls ends at 1896

[candrjm]

Just a thought, if her "crime" was committed in Shropshire perhaps it might be worth posting a request for help on the Shropshire board.

[benlewis1127]

Thats a good point, i will do that too, thank you for the advice ^_^

[Mowsehowse]

Don't know how you are getting on with this ?
A couple of suggestions:
Have you made any enquiries at the Westcountry Studies Library in Exeter - they are a massive resource.
Also there is a local history society < http://www.exeterhistorysociety.co.uk/ >
And a museum.

Where are the family in the 1891 census?
 

[benlewis1127]

Don't know how you are getting on with this ?
A couple of suggestions:
Have you made any enquiries at the Westcountry Studies Library in Exeter - they are a massive resource.
Also there is a local history society < http://www.exeterhistorysociety.co.uk/ >
And a museum.

Where are the family in the 1891 census?
 

Hello, thanks for your interest! Sadly i've not got very far with regards to why Jemima was in jail. in the 1891 Census she was at home with the family in Shropshire. In 1901 she was in the reformatory and her dad (newsly discovered) may of been in the union workhouse in Shropshire. There was a family rumour that he died in jail and it seems it may have some truth to it!

I will check out the link you sent me. Ive emailed the national Archives who confirmed they did not hold any documents regarding the reformatory for girls around 1901 but gave me the details of their source who i also emailed to have them say they do not hold such information anymore