Author Topic: Prison records  (Read 225 times)

Offline KPM

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Prison records
« on: Friday 16 May 25 17:50 BST (UK) »
Hi

I have found one of my relatives was regularly incarcerated in Wandworth prison in the 1850s & 60s.  On each record I've found his description reads "D on shoulder" or "D on left side".  I initially thought this may have been a tattoo, but I've found other prisoners with a similar description.  I'm sure I'm reading this correctly but any idea what this means?

Many thanks
KPM
Hamilton, Kingston, Surrey
Dorbon, St Pancras
Paterson, Middlesex & Fife
Underhay, Clerkenwell & Devon
Jackson, Neithrop
Axon, Walmer, Deal
Turner, Ambrosden Oxn
Fullagar, Kent

Offline louisa maud

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Re: Prison records
« Reply #1 on: Friday 16 May 25 17:55 BST (UK) »

I will be interested in this topic.

LM
Census information is Crown Copyright,
from  www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Granath Sweden and London
Garner, Marylebone Paddington  Northolt Ilford
Garner, Devon
Garner New Zealand
Maddieson
Parkinson St Pancras,
Jenkins Marylebone Paddington
Mizon/Mison/Myson Paddington
Tindal Marylebone Paddington
Tocock, (name changed to Ellis) London
Southam Marylebone, Paddington
Bragg Lambeth 1800's
Edermaniger(Maniger) Essex Kent Canada (Toronto)
Coveney Kent Lambeth
Sondes kent and London

Offline KPM

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Re: Prison records
« Reply #2 on: Friday 16 May 25 18:02 BST (UK) »
I've actually just popped it into Co-pilot on a whim and this is what it came up with:

In Victorian prison records, the letter D on the left side of a description often indicated some form of distinguishing mark or detail about the prisoner. This could refer to physical characteristics such as scars, tattoos, or deformities, or sometimes even behavioral classifications like being considered dangerous or disorderly.

I think its probably referring to a letter D in a column rather than the actual words "D on left side".

I'd still be interested to see whether anyone else has a different answer.

KPM
Hamilton, Kingston, Surrey
Dorbon, St Pancras
Paterson, Middlesex & Fife
Underhay, Clerkenwell & Devon
Jackson, Neithrop
Axon, Walmer, Deal
Turner, Ambrosden Oxn
Fullagar, Kent

Offline Zaphod99

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Re: Prison records
« Reply #3 on: Friday 16 May 25 19:53 BST (UK) »
Could it just be D for Distinguishing Mark?

Zaph


Offline KPM

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Re: Prison records
« Reply #4 on: Friday 16 May 25 20:15 BST (UK) »
It could be. Definitely a possibility.

Thank you 😃

KPM
Hamilton, Kingston, Surrey
Dorbon, St Pancras
Paterson, Middlesex & Fife
Underhay, Clerkenwell & Devon
Jackson, Neithrop
Axon, Walmer, Deal
Turner, Ambrosden Oxn
Fullagar, Kent