Hello listers, I'm hoping someone will be able to help me with a couple of questions re the above. I have research going back to about 1746, but it is John SEARLE born 1797 (my.3xGt.Grandfather)I would like to find out more about. I know he died in Hertford Goal in Jan 1847 and also that his son Esau SEARLE born 1831 was transported to Australia in 1849. John's wife Kezia CLARK is on the 1851 as a servant, so she must have had a dreadful life. Her husband dying in prison and her youngest son transported, then having to work as a servant when in her fifties. I suppose it was the only alternative to the Workhouse. I would like to know if anyone could tell me, or tell me where to find information as to what John was imprisoned for. Any help would be gratefully received Barbara ----------------------------------------- Email sent from www.ntlworld.com Virus-checked using McAfee(R) Software Visit www.ntlworld.com/security for more information

Hello Barbara I suggest you contact the Hertfordshire Record Office in the first instance Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies County Hall Hertford SG13 8EJ England Tel: 01438 737333 Fax: 01992 555113 Email: hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk Website: http://www.hertsdirect.org/hals Online map: streetmap Heritage Services Manager : Mrs Christine Shearman County Archivist : Sue Flood ---------------------------------- It's possible that the Herts Family History Society may have catalogued the county's court and goal records. I know that many counties have done so. There is possibly a link to the Society on the Herts Archives website, but if not they will be able to give you the contact details. Good luck with your search Dot in Salisbury, Wiltshire on 10/10/05 9:15 pm, ellescott77@ntlworld.com at ellescott77@ntlworld.com wrote: > Hello listers, > I'm hoping someone will be able to help me with a couple of questions re the > above. > I have research going back to about 1746, but it is John SEARLE born 1797 > (my.3xGt.Grandfather)I would like to find out more about. I know he died in > Hertford Goal in Jan 1847 and also that his son Esau SEARLE born 1831 was > transported to Australia in 1849. John's wife Kezia CLARK is on the 1851 as a > servant, so she must have had a dreadful life. Her husband dying in prison and > her youngest son transported, then having to work as a servant when in her > fifties. I suppose it was the only alternative to the Workhouse. > I would like to know if anyone could tell me, or tell me where to find > information as to what John was imprisoned for. > Any help would be gratefully received > Barbara