Where to look?

[barbaramc]

I hope this isn't a double post!! Having typing problems!!

I have recently been in formed that family rumors suggest that the boarders in the boarding house my great grand mother ran were a certain type of ..."lady".  My source says ggm was not a procuror or madam, she rented the rooms and took a cut of the ladies business (I don't know how this differs from being a madam but my sourse is very sure)

I can't be more specific re names and such because my source prefers this not to be widely known as there are living grandchildren who are very upset about this matter.

I have two questions:  Was prostitution actually much prosecuted in Bootle 1900-1930?  It seems to me that a rough port town would have more important matters to police.

If it was prosecuted, where could I begin to look for any records that might exist.

Thank you so much for your help

[Radcliff]

General search of the Liverpool newspapers on line at the time perhaps,

And dont be upset if it has been indicated she was of a different occupation,we all have to make ends meet,her circumstances may have been difficult at the time,

[barbaramc]

Thanks for your reply. I'm not judging anyone, everyone does what they think they have to do!!!

I had gone through the British newspaper archive website and couldn't find anything about prostitution in Liverpool other than moralizing (that is to say, no arrest reports) which is why I asked about whether the authorities even bothered with it.

Is there another way to find out more info?  Of course it could all be just a racy rumor and there is nothing to find

[MJW]

As already suggested, searching local newspapers (by name) might be the best source.

I don't know whether you know any of the boarders' names or the address in question but the 1901 & 1911 census might help give you some names, if you haven't already done this.

Also, electoral rolls (often held at reference libraries) can be useful for getting names if you know the address. However, I can't remember the date when women were generally included on the roll - sometime in the 1920s I think.

Good luck.
  Malcolm

[Galium]

If you are trying to find a mention of any court case,  the phrase "disorderly house" is a useful one to search with.  The offence of "keeping a disorderly house" seems to have been something dealt with by the police courts, and would attract a fine rather than a prison sentence.