Hull project reveals your criminal ancestors
If your ancestors were involved in the criminal justice system on either side of the law, a new project led by two experts in criminal history could be your chance to find out more about their lives.
Dr Helen Johnston of the University of Hull and Dr Heather Shore of Leeds Beckett University will lead three free workshops at the Hull History Centre as part of the project Our Criminal Ancestors, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
The first workshop took place on 15 July, with two others scheduled for 23 September and 21 October.
“There’s quite a lot of public interest in criminal justice particularly in relation to ancestry and family history,” Dr Johnston told WDYTYA?.
The workshops will teach people how to use historical records to research ancestors with different connections to the criminal justice system, including alleged offenders, victims, witnesses, prisoners, police and prison officers.
Although the project is part of Hull’s role as the 2017 UK City of Culture, there are plans to expand it, including holding an event elsewhere in the East Riding next year and creating a website with stories from members of the public.
To book tickets for the workshops, go to bit.ly/crimanc. If you have a criminal ancestor whose story you can share, email Dr Johnston on h.Johnston@hull.ac.uk.