Durham County Gaol 1856

[bazzaboy]

Hi,

My ancestor James MUSHENS was born in Durham County Gaol on 31 July 1856. The birth cert shows his mother as Mary MUSHENS and his father as George MUSHENS, mariner.

I have been told that records of prisoners at this time may not be available. Mary came from Sunderland and I was wondering whether anyone could suggest which newspapers may have covered Mary's trial.

My task is made more difficult because I live in Australia and therefore cannot visit local libraries etc. to undertake this research.

Regards.

[uksearch]

Take a look at the followling link.It may or may not help.

http://website.lineone.net/~pjoiner/genuki/DUR/#Correction (http://website.lineone.net/~pjoiner/genuki/DUR/#Correction)

At least it will give you a couple of newspapers to check out.

UK

[k0065126]

You could try the British Library Newspaper Library which will give you a list of all papers they hold for the relevant period.

If there is a local studies library in Durham they may also have copies of local papers.

It is worth posting a message on Durham message boards and also if you can find a board for 'Mushens' then post a message there, Ancestry and others have boards for individual surnames.

Also look for the Durham Family History website which may be give some assistance.

If you are lucky someone who is visiting the local record office, or local studies library, etc, may be willing to spend some time looking for information of interest to you. Otherwise you may have to pay a professional researcher to carry out a search, or staff at the record office, etc, may research for you for a fee.

It is also possible that The National Archives may hold Assize records of the trial if the crime was very serious, (infanticide or murder for instance).

Good luck,

Viv

[k0065126]

Sorry, I forgot, try entering the surname, (or both names), in search engines. You may find something interesting.

Viv

[bazzaboy]

Thanks to all. I'll try my luck, at least I now have a starting point.

Regards