William Park Prisioner Aberdeen Prisons

[Kathmferrier]

I’m trying to get information on William Park born in Kintore in 1860 to Mary Snowie and John Park.
I can find him with his parents and some siblings on the 1871 census in Inverurie.
The next find is a series of entries, 13 in all, for admissions to Aberdeen East and Craiginches prisons. These span 1888 - 1909. His address is often no fixed abode, the corporation lodging house, a couple of addresses in Aberdeen city, Insch and Fraserburgh. Occupation is always Labourer. (See attachment). Clicking on full record takes me to a site that asks for payment, £5.00 to get information. Does anyone know of other means?
Can’t find a marriage or a death.

[CaroleW]

No attachment - which site are you referring to?

[Kathmferrier]

Sorry I had a problem posting this. It wouldn’t let me post the attachment and I now see it’s posted the original post and not the one with the amendments I made after I couldn’t post the attachment. This is the site https://www.scottishindexes.com/prisonsearch.aspx

[Neale1961]

William Park died in Fraserburgh in 1913, age 55
His death certificate is available from Scotlands People

[Kathmferrier]

Thank you for that.
Don’t know how I missed it when I was looking.
Pour soul drowned.

[GR2]

You said that William was born to John Park and Mary Snowie in Kintore. I presume you have seen the 1913 death certificate and it confirms his parents' names. The following says he was a native of Lonmay.

The Fraserburgh Herald and Northern Counties Advertiser, July 15th, 1913:

FRASERBURGH MAN DROWNED. -
William Park, labourer, of no fixed
abode, a worthy known throughout
Aberdeenshire as "The Chief" was
found drowned in Fraserburgh Harbour
on Saturday morning. He was last seen
alive in the vicinity of the Balaclava
Harbour on Friday night, and on
Saturday his body was found floating in
the water, while his jacket was dis-
covered neatly folded up on the quay.
It is supposed that he had fallen into
the harbour while attempting to board a
board* to have a sleep. "The Chief" who
was 55 years of age, was a native of the
Lonmay district. He had seen service in
the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
and also in the Gordons, and went
through the Egyptian campaign.
Latterly he had served in the militia.
"The Chief" was a humorous, harmless
fellow, and was a great favourite
amongst the stevedores at Fraserburgh.

* "board" has been repeated instead of "vessel".

Doubtless the newspapers will also contain reports of any court cases involving him.

[Kathmferrier]

Thank you so much.
I have checked the death certificate and it’s definitely my paternal grandmother’s uncle. Sadly his eldest brother, my great grandfather, an ex soldier also drowned once he left the militia.
According to Scotlands people William was born in Kintore but his father was born in Lonmay.
So far I’ve not managed to find any reports oj why he was in prison so often.

[GR2]

There are several William Parks, but these may be him.

Aberdeen Evening Express, 18-6-1883 (Aberdeen Police Court):

CONTRAVENTION OF POLICE ACT.
A soldier, named William Park, pleaded guilty to
contravening the Police Act by committing a nuisance,
and was fined 5s, with the option of two days'
imprisonment.

Peterhead Sentinel and Buchan Journal, 5-8-1905 (Fraserburgh Police Court):

William Park, tramp, labourer,
pleased guilty to having been drunk and in-
capable on Shore Street on Tuesday. He was
fined 10s, with the option of five days' imprison-
ment.

The Aberdeen Daily Journal, 17-5-1909:

A VAGRANT'S SPREE. - William Park,
vagrant, appeared before Dean of Guild
Murray at a Justice of Peace Court in Aber-
deen on Saturday, on a charge of having been
found in a state of intoxication in Commerce
Street, Insch, on Friday. He pleaded guilty,
said he was sorry for having taken so much
liquor, and was fined 20s, with the alternative
of seven days' imprisonment.

[Kathmferrier]

Thanks for these.
2 of these tie in with what I found on the Prison register index.
Fraserburgh in 1905 and Insch in 1909.
No entry for 1883 but he had been a soldier so it’s possible he could pay the fine.

Thanks again