"Parkhurst Boys" transported to NZ 1842/43

[liverpool annie]

Tony! that's good news!
So Mr Grant is available - that is terrific! -
always be optimistic .....  you never know !

I don't think it's impossible!!
If they served their time and were allowed to come back - I imagine
they would just be intergrated into the community! - that's why I wondered if maybe they could be found on the 1851- 1861 census!
I don't think in those days they would have been followed by probation officers!
It would be really cool to see if you could track them - looking for birth marriage and death certificates etc - or is that getting TOO involved ??

Annie

[BAC3]

Good Evening Annie,

Within the space of a few emails Robert Grant had sent not only part of his PhD Dissertation relevant to NZ but a transcript of the talk he gave at the [ESCAPE] Conference.  He also suggested that if I need any further help to ask.

What did we do before PCs and Emails??

A good idea trawling through the various Censuses to find returning transportees and those juveniles released back into England but, as you said. it can become TOO involved, a little time-consuming and expensive where obtaining Birth/Marriage/Death Certificates are concerned.   I may try a representative sample and see how it works out.

Anyway, thanks for the advice....setting me a challenge and, after all, that's what research is about!!

For now

Tony

[bearkat]

The Isle of Wight Family History Society have an article in one of their journals that mentions the Parkhurst Boys - vol 55.

[BAC3]

Thanks "Bearkat",

I shall give the IOWFHS a ring tomorrow.

BAC3

[liverpool annie]

Oh Tony!

Robert Grant has really gone up in my estimation!! - how great is that!!
I'd be happy to try and help with census and stuff - just shout when you decide what you want!!

Annie

[BAC3]

Hello Annie,

Thank you for the offer regarding look-ups in the various Censuses.   One I cannot refuse.......but!!!

There are some initial difficulties in that I have no idea where these ex-Parkhurst Boys would be living as destinations on discharge from the Prison are not specified, other than when transported.   Having said that I have just completed a Biography for one boy transported to Tasmania and there is every possibility he returned to England with his wife and family after 1855 when he received his Certificate of Freedom...... details are:

County:                             Lancashire possibly;
Name:                               William ISHERWOOD;
Wife's Name:                     Robina (nee Dick and an ex-convict);
Daughter's Name:             Fanny;
Respective ages in 1855:  23, 22 and 12 months.

I could also give you some unusual names to trace, for example, this boy was released "On Licence" on 20/09/1854:

County:                             Norfolk possibly;
Name:                               John TREADGILL;
Age:                                  15

It will be inetresting to see whether or not there are positive responses.

Good luck and all my thanks

Tony

[liverpool annie]

Hi Tony!

I'll give it a go! - but the thought occurred to me - that they could have changed their names - seeing as how they were both convicts!!! but I will try!

If anybody else wants to give it a go - please feel free

Have a great day!

Annie

[liverpool annie]

Hi Tony!

I think this is your John! - but I didn't find him in Norfolk!!
Look through this and tell me what you think .....
Willow and Jericho did all the work!!

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,85623.0.html

Annie

[BAC3]

Good Afternoon Annie,

Please thank everyone for trying to trace John Treadgill.....it was never going to be easy with so little information. Probably, if I was honest, nigh on impossible.   However, nowt ventured nowt gained.

I have spent a little while weighing up all the possibilities, assuming he was born in 1839 or even 1835 if he was 15 when convicted, but sadly none of the suggestions seems to fit.  This happens to me quite often in Australian records, dealing especially with "Smith and Jones"

If I could offer a definite destination post-release from Prison then I think the chances of unearthing details would be greater, but I only have about 3 or 4 such cases, for example:

John DIDCOTE
Age in 1844: 15 years when received at Parkhurst Prison
Returned to his Father in 1847
Father lived in Cheltenham
Father's Name: Ino
Occupation:  Shoemaker

Samuel SWINDALL
Age in 1844: 14 years when received at Parkhurst Prison
Sent to Northampton House of Correction 1844 as his   
                   sentence commuted to six months
Father lived in Northampton
Father's Name: Samuel
Occupation:  Auctioneer

John WURR
Age in 1844: 15 when received at Parkhurst Prison
Sent home in 1847
Father lived in Norwich
Father's Name: Thomas
Occupation:  Shoemaker

Maybe these offer a better chance and the names are slightly unusual too.

I shall keep my fingers crossed.

For now

Tony