Hi. I am wondering if there's anybody out there who is familiar with the Hampshire Telegraph archive held, I understand, at Portsmouth Records Office.
The reason I ask is that on this website
http://www.customscowes.shalfleet.net/customs_prosecutions%201830%20onwards.htm there is a reference to an item in the paper about John Love who was fined £100 for 'smuggling' in June 1834. I have several John Love's in my tree and a couple were alive at this date, both in the Bembridge IOW (possibly nearby Brading) area.
I am keen to establish whether the John Love referred to in the newspaper is one of my John Loves, if that makes sense.
Is it likely that the newspaper contains any more information than that presented on the website? I.e. might there be an account of the smuggling activities and more details of the man himself (where he was from, how old he was etc).
I'm assuming that nobody has access to the newspaper archive other than going to the record office. I live in the Midlands so conceivably can travel to Portsmouth sometime, but obviously if all the information is already on the website there's no need.
Many thanks,
Mark