Research Forum

I am researching the Jakeway family of Weston-super-Mare and have discovered Mary Ann Jakeway convicted of theft in 1880 and sentenced to 9 months hard labour in Shepton Mallet prison. I realise that Shepton Mallet is outside the boundary of Weston-super-Mare FHS but as it was the destination for many Westonians convicted of crime, I wonder if anyone has any information concerning the conditions and/or regime for women prisoners in Shepton Mallet gaol at that time.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

I've been searching for evidence of the birth/baptism of my great great grandfather Henry Withers for some time now without any success. The 1881, 1871 and 1861 censuses all say he was born in Portishead, but I've been unable to find anything before that date despite much searching. Can anyone help please?

A problem has arisen in the Library on a Saturday which someone might like to have a go at solving - any thoughts gratefully received!

• On the 1939 Register for Weston-super-Mare is a William Henry JERVIS whose date of birth is given as 24th June 1881      
• He appears on the 1911 census of Weston as William JERVIS aged 30 born in Derby, Derbyshire
• There is the registration of a birth in the Sept qrt 1881 of a William Henry JERVIS in the Registration District of Basford (which covers Derbyshire and Nottingham)
• That Birth certificate gives the date of birth of William Henry JERVIS as the 24th June 1881 and birthplace as Belvoir Terrace, Ilkeston, Nottingham
• His parents were William JERVIS (deceased) and Mary Ann JERVIS formerly RICHARDS
• The 1881 census shows an Ann JARVIS [sic], aged 28, widow, lodging at  2 Belvoir Terrace, Ilkeston.

FreeBMD shows the marriage of William JARVIS [sic] and Mary Ann RICHARDS in 1879 and his death early in 1881

• The problem seems to be that on the 1901 census in Derby,  a William JERVIS aged 20, born in Derby, appears as the son of Edwin and Louisa RICHARDSON.
• On the 1891 census Edwin and Louisa RICHARDSON have a 10 year old son called William RICHARDSON, born in Derby.  Is this the same William Henry JERVIS?

Just to complicate matters Louisa Augusta RICHARDSON was previously married to a George JERVIS – is this just a red herring?  She didn’t marry Edwin RICHARDSON until 1887 in Derby – using her maiden name. Don’t know what happened to George JERVIS.   Is there a connection between William JERVIS (who died in 1881), father of William Henry and George JERVIS first husband of Louisa?

We need some more suggestions for solving this one!  Thank you.

I am searching for the ancestors of my 3Xgreatgrandfather Benjamin Carter.  I understand he was born 13 Mar 1793 - this has come from the back of a copy of a painting done of him in Bristol around the 1830's. His son Edwin Righton Carter made the copy and gave to my greatgrandfather, The picture came to light a few years ago after my mother's brother died and my aunt was moving - she sent it to me knowing I was searching the history.

Benjamin married Ann Righton on 15 Sep 1828 at St Michael's Bristol. and  died in Bedminster 26 Jul 1857.  I gather from the 1841 census he was born in Somerset and from the 1851 census he was from Chew Stoke and was a confectioner (Journeyman). However I have not been able to find any evidence of his birth anywhere.

Any help/ideas would be appreciated.

Brigid in New Zealand