"B.J. Clay" wrote: would anyone by any chance know if there is a way to check for a prison record on someone about the turn of the century". B.J Try the 1900/1910 U.S. census records ("Soundex") of that state to find out where he was incarcerated. Many of the jails - large and small, are listed. Then write to the facility and see if they will send you information. jc