The Toronto Branch of Ontario Ancestors kicks off its first meeting of the fall season tonight, September 28 — and it’s going to be online.
In her presentation, Debt, Drunk & Disorderly, Vagrancy, Prostitution, Theft, Assault, Insanity: Are You Sure Your Ancestors Were Never in Jail?, Janice Nickerson will demonstrate how finding a criminal in your family tree can add pizzazz to your names and dates.
No one wants a criminal at the dinner table, but finding one in your family tree can add pizzazz to an otherwise boring list of names and dates! Did you know that 19th Century Ontario jails were also full of people who just couldn’t pay their debts? Or got caught in public drinking too much? Or got in one too many fights? Did you know that most people spent only a few days in jail? Or that Irish people were overrepresented? Or that women were most often incarcerated for “moral” offences? Or that jail records are one of the few types of 19th Century records that provide physical descriptions?
This lecture will introduce you to wonder of jail records, and what they can tell you about your ancestors.
The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time. It will end with an update from the executive committee, entitled Making it Work, Your Toronto Branch during COVID.
Registration required. Members and non-members are invited.
