Genealogy Chat

Hi all.... Here's quite an interesting one for anyone who is bored to help me find out about..... I have been told by my relatives that when my Gt Grandfather worked in Pentonville Prison he gave Crippen his last breakfast before he was hung in 1910. I wonder how I can find out whether this is true? Any ideas?? Sal x

I doubt there would be records surviving , recording which prison officer gave which inmate which breakfast on which morning..... I mean, there might be, but would very much doubt it. Jess

There's been quite a few books written about Crippen over the years, best bet might be to see whether you can get your hands on any at the library, see whether any names are mentioned, although as Jess says, who gave him his last breakfast might not be considered noteworthy. I've got a couple of books on the Moors Murders cos it's quite personal to my family and in those, a lot of the prison wardens are mentioned by name, so you never know Great story though, be good if you could prove it. Let us know!

What was your Gt grandfather's name? I'll take a look in my crime books but I've found reference to a warder called William Tarry who witnessed Crippen's will.

Thanks Janet......hHis name was Edwin Kaufmann.... I hear what you are saying, there probably isn't any record of him.....just thought it was quite interesting.

Right, I've checked '50 great crimes of the last 100 yrs' published 1936 and nothing. Next Crimes and criminals, Murders of the black museum, World famous murders and more.

Thanks so much Janet....

Not one of my books or the times archive helped. Perhaps one of the more downmarket papers would have reported a blow by blow account of his last hours.

What about the prison itself. They surely must have recorded Crippens last hours. I'm sure if you wrote to the Governor he could point you in the right direction. Gary Deighton HMP Pentonville Caledonian Road London N7 8TT Good luck

Hi I have been Googling Dr Crippens and i cam across a thread from Roots web RootsWeb: PRISONS-UK-L [PRISONS-UK] Warder Fellows & Pentonville.it hasnothing to do with with your Gt Grandfather but it goes on to say that the person who wrote the thread got in touch with the PRO and asked for the wardens report may a report had to be written about breakfast that morning you never know . Diana

Hi Sal, Sory I cannot help with this queston but can I say what a great talking point that must be. I hope you can verify it, good luck Kathlyn

Hawley Harvey Crippen was hanged at Pentonville at 9.00am, Wednesday morning, November 23rd 1910. No mention of what he ate or who served him in Crippen: the mild murderer, by Tom Cullen. From a vast document I have about prison info, issued bu the Prison Service HQ Library (tel 020-7217 5253) it says 'condemned cell occurence books will be opened 70 years after last use'. Not sure what is recorded in these, but it might mention your relative. Info is kept at Kew, and I think the catalogue refs are PCOM plus a number. You would need to have a look around on the National Archives site www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ nell

I am finding this thread really interesting. I have a 3 x great grandfather who was a warder at Pentonville in the 1850s & 60s. I never thought about who he might have had to deal with. You have opened up a whole new avenue for me to research, thanks! Sheila

Thanks everyone..... I will be writing to the Govenor today. I will let you know whether or not I have any luck. S x