Media: BOOK - paperback, 198 pages
Author: S. Wade
Year: 2020
ISBN: 9781526778529
Other: b&w photos, sketches, bibliog, glossary, index
Publisher: Pen & Sword

The history of the British prison system only had systematic records from the middle of the nineteenth century. Before that, material on prisoners in local gaols and houses of correction was patchy and minimal. In more recent times, many prison records have been destroyed.

In 'Tracing your Prison Ancestors', crime historian Stephen Wade attempts to provide information and guidance to family and social history researchers in this difficult area of criminal records. His book covers the span of time from medieval to modern, and includes from Scottish and Irish sources.

The sources explained range broadly from central calendars of prisoners, court records and gaol returns, through to memoirs and periodicals. The chapters also include case studies and short biographies of some individuals who experienced our prisons and left some records.

Contents:
Acknowledgements
How to use this book
Introduction
1. The history of prisons in Britain I
2. The history of prisons in Britain II
3. Staff and the regime
4. Prison records I
5. Prison records II
6. Prison records III
7. Transportation
8. Criminal lunatics
9. Secondary records
10. Contemporary sources in print/online
11. Criminal offences
Bibliography and sources
Index