AC5Hi, Kath and All, Thank you for that. This is the reply I received from the above regarding Joshua BATTY. He did indeed have a brother, Charles (2 years younger or older than he.) They were the children of James BATTY, Farmer and Sarah (ms BROWN). The witnesses at the marriage of Joshua BATTY and Charlotte SHEPHERD were Joshua's brother, William and his sister Martha (who had married George BARRACLOUGH). Father of Joshua was recorded as James, Farmer and father of Charlotte was recorded as David, Gardner. (He was actually a gamekeeper for the Duke of Norfolk, but maybe with the strong accent they sounded alike.) Joshua and Charlotte arrived in Australia on the ship "Northern Bride" in June, 1858, with 2 children, Hannah 3 and an unnamed 1 year old, plus his brother Amos, and brother William and wife Sarah. I have the certificates of Joshua and Charlotte's marriage and the births of 2 children: Hannah Elizabeth (1855 YKS) and Sarah Ann (1857 YKS), plus Sarah Ann's baptism in N.S.W. Australia. She was born on the date specified on her birth certificate and baptised some years later in AUS. Would anyone know whether/ where Hannah Elizabeth BATTY (born 11 Mar, 1855 at Hazlehead, Thurlstone), may have been baptised?. By 1857, when Sarah Ann was born, they were living at Eccleshall Bierlow. If not, is it possible to obtain that baptism of Hannah Elizabeth? Do they have witnesses/sponsors/godparents recorded? I would greatly appreciate any kind person's help. Best wishes, 'going batty', Carolyn. Australia. ----- Original Message ----- From: Wakefield Archives To: Carolyn Wilson Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 4:27 AM Subject: RE: Wakefield Prison Records AC5.4.1.6 GRB Dear Mrs. Wilson Thank you for your enquiry, received by us on the 19th November. We do hold records relating to Wakefield Prison here at Wakefield, under the reference C118. However, records prior to the Prison coming under the control of the Home Office in 1879 are scant, and sadly no register survives from 1815, nor does a set of prisoner calendars. However, I have been able to locate details of Joshua Batty's conviction(s) through the records of the West Riding of Yorkshire Quarter Sessions. This was the middle level of the English court structure of the time, and dealt with relatively serious matters (mostly thefts of property and assault). Joshua was convicted along with a Charles Batty on two counts at the Sheffield Intermediate Sessions held on the 30th August 1879. Joshua and Charles are described as being from Wakefield, and were convicted for two thefts: the first being in Ecclesfield for the theft of one duck (the value of one shilling) the property of one George Jubb on the 14th August 1850; and for the theft of 3 ducks and 1 drake, the property of one Benjamin Charlesworth of Penistone, also on the 14th August 1850. For this, Charles was sentenced to 3 months hard labour in the House of Correction (now Wakefield Prison), and Joshua to be transported for the term of 7 years (all from ref QS4/79). The entry also states that Joshua was still serving a punishment for a conviction at the Sheffield sessions held on the 7th January 1850, which may explain his harsh punishment. QS4/78 states that Joshua was actually acquitted at the Sheffield Sessions above for the theft of 2 pigeons at Ecclesfield on the 28th November 1849, the pigeons being the property of Samuel Crawshaw. However, this entry does state that Joshua was convicted before the Sheffield Sessions on the 29th May 1849. On this occasion (ref QS4/77), Joshua was convicted of the theft of half a crown at Ecclesfield, and was sentenced to one calendar month in the House of Correction. This appears to be Joshua's first conviction. There may be more information in on Joshua's convictions in the appropriate Sessions bundle, and in this case you may like to take advantage of our research service, further details of which can be found on our website. I hope that the above is of some use to you, and if you do have any further questions please do get back in touch with us. Yours sincerely Gary Brannan Archivist West Yorkshire Archive Service Wakefield Registry of Deeds Newstead Road Wakefield WF1 2DE Tel: +44 (0)1924 305980 Fax: +44 (0)1924 305983 Web: www.archives.wyjs.org.uk _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the originator of the message. This footer also confirms that this e-mail message has been scanned for the presence of computer viruses. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender specifies and with authority, states them to be the views of West Yorkshire Joint Services.