CRIMINAL ANCESTORS A Guide to Historical Criminal Records in England and Wales (SIGNED)

Hawkings (David T.)

ISBN 10: 0862998174 / ISBN 13: 9780862998172

Published by Alan Sutton Publishing, 1992

About this Item

Hardback. It is probable that somewhere in one or other of the branches of every family at least one criminal will be found. Many of our ancestors were 'obliged' to steal for mere survival and suffered imprisonment for the most trivial offences. Criminal records are a largely untapped source of historic information, often recording not just criminals but also family members on the right side of the law: as jurors, witnesses, parish constables or victims. The numerous examples given of each of the various source materials portray vividly the tragic stories of those who found themselves at the mercy of the criminal justice system. The many detailed and often heart-rending illustrations depict the harshness and cruelty of the legal system of our past, while a case history shows the extent to which one individual criminal can be researched. The detailed work includes surveys of material held by all County and Borough Record Offices, the Public Record Office, Police Archives and other repositories. All documents are listed in the Appendices. By bringing together the location and references of all discovered historical criminal records in England and Wales which contain biographical information, this unique and fascinating book provides the essential research and reference tool which no genealogist, social historian, criminologist or the merely curious should be without. Pds are a page taken from policeman's book of wanted men (Northampton Police Museum). Illus., Appendices, Bibliog., Glossary and Indices. 458pp. lge 8vo. h/back. PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY DAVID T. HAWKINGS together with loosely inserted HANDWRITTEN LETTER. F. in F. protected dw. A heavy book which will require additional postage if shipped overseas. Seller Inventory # 20444

Bibliographic Details

Title: CRIMINAL ANCESTORS A Guide to Historical ...

Publisher: Alan Sutton Publishing

Publication Date: 1992

Binding: Hardcover / Hardback

Condition: Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Fine

Signed: signed and inscribed by author

Edition: First edition.

About this title

Synopsis:

When a family historian discovers a criminal way back in the family tree, he or she needs to know how to trace that person. David Hawkings here offers practical in-depth guidelines for researching these criminal ancestors, many of whom were "obliged" to steal for mere survival and suffered imprisonment for the most trivial offenses. His pioneering study includes surveys of material held by all County and Borough Record Offices, police archives, and other repositories, as well as numerous example cases and illustrations, appendices with source material, and a case history to show the extent to which one individual criminal can be researched. This unique and richly illustrated book provides the essential research and reference tool which no genealogist or family historian should be without.

Synopsis:

A family historian's sourcebook which offers tips on how to research criminal ancestors. Case studies include a member of a well established county family who was transported to Tasmania after assaulting Queen Victoria, the story of an 18th-century 'Robbing of the Bristol Mails' discovered in the Post Office archives, and convicts sent to America.