Genealogy Chat

Can anyone help me? I discovered some time ago my great great grandfather James David Vale 1847 - 1931 on the 1871 census as being a prisoner in Springfield Gaol Chelmsford Essex. In the 1861 census he was living at home in Romford Essex and in 1865 he married at Romford. I have searched the Essex quarter assizes at Essex record office but have not been able to find why he was convicted. He was back home at Well Yard Romford by 1991 but I have not been able to find him on the 1881 census although his wife is at Well Yard with an entry of 'husband absent'. I would love to learn more, can any help???

Hi

Have you tried the local newspapers -- My David Vale is in Springfield Prision in the 1881 census and I read all about his wrongdoings in the local paper.

None of your Vale's are from Colchester are they?

My Vale family come from the Hornchurch and Romford area of Essex.

I have thought about newspapers for the area but as I don't know when between 1865 - 1871 he was admitted it is going to be a wide search. I have had previous success with coroners reports but had a much clearere idea of the time scales.

There still is a prison in Springfield Rd Chelmsford.Could you not ring them and ask about any archives? Annie

Hi

In the 1871 census, my ancestor Richard Richardson was in Springfield Gaol aged 22 born in Terling. His elderly grandson who is still alive says it was because he was poaching but I would like to view his criminal records.

Ben

Have you tried Blacksheepancestors.com? I've just been on and can't find Chelmsford Prison but it's got court records etc on it for the UK as well.

Alison

If he'd have commited that crime just 5 years before in 1866, he'd have been sent to Australia. I think the last convicts were taken there in 1868. My family say it was just poaching but to make it more exciting I still class it as theft.

Lucky I have an elderly relative still alive to tell me. He said that he remembered Richard as a bit of a bugger and even on his 1932 death bed aged 83, he was swearing all the time, even with osteoperosis.

Hi Ben

It has been suggested by someone else to try contacting '[email protected]' so I am going to give that a try and will let you know how i get on.

Hi Jacqui

Thanks for that. Look forward to see how you get on with prison records.

Your James Vale and my Richard Richardson probably shared a cell and ate porridge and sewed mailbags together lol.

Ben

Its a small world. who knows it may be true!!!