Gloucestershire

[Kit]

Besides familysearch and FMP are there any any websites that have BMD records for Gloucestershire.

TIA.

[kiterunner]

Yes, indeed, there is Gloucestershire BMD:
http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/bmd/

Or is it pre-1837 stuff that you're looking for?

[anne fraser]

What parish were you looking for? This site has some links: http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/GLS/Parishes.html. Free reg has quite a lot of records as well.

[Kit]

Thanks Kite and Anne.

I should mention that I am looking pre-registration, pre 1837. Although after may come in handy later on.

While I'm at it would Bristol court records be online or at the archives?

[kiterunner]

At the archives.

[HarrysMum]

Toni......depending on how far you want to go back, Bristol is tricky.

I can only get back to 1720s but from then to 1850, Bristol has been in the county of Gloucestershire, Avon, Somerset, Bristol and I'm sure one other....just can't remember.

I know I had awful trouble when I started with the Ariel lot......still having trouble with them....lol

[anne fraser]

Loosely speaking South of the river is Somerset and North of the river is Gloucestershire. Bristol family history society are based at Bristol record office and will usually look up things for a small fee.

[Kit]

If I can work out where she was in gaol would it help? I can't read it.

Rebecca Richards 1 (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/iexec?htx=View&r=5538&dbid=2024&iid=32082_223749__0002-00087&fn=Rebecca&ln=Richards&st=d&ssrc=&pid=8019)

Rebecca Richards 2 (http://search.ancestry.co.uk/iexec?htx=View&r=5538&dbid=1179&iid=IMAUS1787C_114258-00039&fn=Rebecca&ln=Richards&st=d&ssrc=&pid=81464)

2 may be easier to work out.

[Janet]

Well, they both say Bristol, and they both refer to "oyer and terminer" and "gaol delivery", which seem to be a description of the legal process she was subjected to:
http://www.luminarium.org/encyclopedia/oyerandterminer.htm
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/static/Glossary.jsp#g
I don't know if that's what you're looking for, Toni, but that's what I could make out. (I downloaded both to my desktop and then inspected them in a photo program.)

[Kit]

Thanks Janet. I couldn't quite work out the terminer word.

I'm off to have a look at your links.

[Kit]

Well thanks and thanks for nothing Janet. :)

I now know what the terms mean but it didn't help narrow down the gaol. The only gaol that comes up in google for Bristol was built after she was convicted so clearly it is the wrong one. lol I think she is meant to be mysterious for a while longer.

[Janet]

Sorry. I tried! :(

[Kit]

No don't get me wrong, at least I'm not trying to find a gaol that has a name like oyer and terminer. I was just hoping it would give an indication of which county it was in.

[Janet]

I know! Not complaining. :D:D:D

[Merry]

Do you have Gale? I saw an entry, right date on 17th-18th Century Burney Collection Newspapers, but don't have time to read....sorry.

Felix Farley's Bristol Journal (Bristol, England), Saturday, June 20, 1789; Issue 2122

[anne fraser]

I forgot to mention that South Gloucestershire burials are free to search on the Bristol family history site. The Bristol newspaper archive has copies of old Bristol papers but you have to buy credits to use it. The index is free though. There was an old goal conected with Bristol castle but I don't know when it went out of use.

[Janet]

Felix Farley's Bristol Journal (Bristol, England)


Saturday, February 21, 1789; Issue 2105.

At the General Quarter Sessions held on Monday
last at the Guildhall, the following prisoners
were tried, viz. [...]
Eliz. Morris and Rebecca Richards, to be
imprisoned two months and privately whipt.


Saturday, June 20, 1789; Issue 2122

The sentences of all the Prisoners that were
tried at the General Goal [sic!] Delivery for this city,
which ended on Saturday evening last, viz.
[...]
John Sneedon and Rebecca Richards, were respited
before the Recorder left the city.

[Janet]

That's very interesting material, Toni. I'm glad your thread pushed me onto the library site because the context is fascinating, and knowing she is your relative certainly makes it all the more riveting. In the same column as Rebecca Richards' trials and tribulations, we see the entertainment news:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QUbDu21tPiU/T3uhfC1tLtI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/7MEhNfMO87M/s400/Bristol%2BJournal%2B20%2BJune%2B1789%2BIssue%2B212 2.JPG

I've PMd you with images.

Does somebody know how to interpret "respited" in this context? Were they saved from whipping?

[Kit]

Thanks Janet, I replied to your PM before I saw this thread.

I don't know what respited means and was going to ask. I thought the reporter had left too early but now can see that he didn't.

Rebecca was convicted on 13 Jun and according to the paper sentenced later. It took nearly 2 years before she was transported.

Merry I do have gale (all downunders can join the national library and get access, hint hint to those who want access) and I'll see if I can find more than Janet has produced.

Thanks Anne for the info. I'll keep it in mind.

A night at the theatre would be nice wouldn't it Janet?

[Janet]

A night at the theatre would be nice wouldn't it Janet?

Yes, I might quite like to be "transported" back in time for an evening like that, as long as I could come home again the same night! :d

[Kit]

Janet and I have been chatting via PM and Rebecca stole a silver can and was sentenced to death. Respited must have something to do with a lessening of a sentence or not being put to death.

That is 2 of my direct rellies who were meant to die but were transported instead. It must mean I was meant to be.

[Karen S]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/respite

[Janet]

Aha! There it is. I had tried a few dictionary sites but nothing was as clear as that. Thanks, Karen.

[Kit]

2. Law Temporary suspension of a death sentence; a reprieve.

It became permanent though. I wonder if that went through court or they just put her on a ship?

Thanks Karen. That is nice and clear.

It must have been a scary time for Rebecca, prison, sentenced to death, if only for a few hours, more prison, transportation.