Mike Covell’s Blogg

It’s been a busy time, preparing for the December 8th lecture at Carnegie Heritage Centre, and the local media have been getting in on the run up to the events.

Hull Daily Mail

The Hull Daily Mail featured a snippet on the lectures on Monday 19th October 2009, which ran under the heading, “Talk on the Ripper”

Radio Humberside

On Saturday 24th October 2009 I appeared on the Helen Philpot show, Philpot’s Files, discussing both Local History, Jack the Ripper and the Carnegie Heritage Centre.  The show went out live and it was fantastic to be in the studios on what used to be the West Side of the Old Dock, where the Dawber and Stephenson company traded from in the mid 1800’s!

Update

For those wishing to attend the Jack the Ripper -The Hull Connection lecture, full details can be found here, http://www.carnegiehull.co.uk/

This December I will be giving a free lecture at the Carnegie Heritage Centre in Hull.  The lecture will centre on the Hull Connection to the Whitechapel crimes, and will take place on Tuesday, December the 8th 2009.

For more information visit, http://www.carnegiehull.co.uk/events.php

Deeming in Hull 

I am currently working on a new chapter on Frederick Bailey Deeming and I am therefore consulting the following,
JTR A-Z
JTR Ult. Sourcebook
Policemen of Hull by A.A. Clarke
Murders of the Black Museum by Gordon Honeycombe
Murder and Crime-Kingston upon Hull, Douglas Wynn
Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in Hull, David Goodman

As well as utilising the primary sources on the Deeming site here,
http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/deeming/

Alongside
Magistrates papers from Hull under the surname Deeming,
Magistrates papers from Hull under the surname Lawson,
Various Hull Press Reports from 1890 to 1892.

The chapter already has 90 footnotes, and I have yet to cover the trial!

Research Trip

Last week and earlier this week I managed to get some time in the field once again at the Carnegie Heritage Centre.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, I am hoping to visit the Sutton Village History Centre.

Christmas Lecture

I am due to appear in Hull discussing my research at Christmas.  Full details have yet to be confirmed, but they will be posted here when they are ready.

Well, were already three months into 2009 and with the Hull Local Studies Library closed, and Hull City Archives closed, I am left with very little locations to actually research! 

I have, however, decided to look further once again, and start looking further out at locations that Robert D’Onston Stephenson, had once had connections with.

Here is a short list of destinations on the agenda for 2009!

Bridlington, with a look at the local history centre, photo opportunities at the harbour and quay, and a visit to the Black Lion planned for next month!  It might also mean a stop over at the Black Lion…..

Beverley, home of the East Riding Archives, which I perused last year to find Stephenson’s Christening details and several huge files on the Dawbers.  This time I will be looking for Stephenson’s wife!

Goole, As Stephenson’s wife and family resided in both Thorn and Goole, I thought it a good idea to take the trip to Goole for a day of research.  I am currently in communication with the centre there, and plan a trip out in the not too distant future.  The Local Bus Service, runs a bus, that stops at Goole on it’s way to Leeds, thus making the trip even easier!

Islington, October will be the month of Jack!  As well as the Ripper Conference in London, I will be travelling a day earlier to visit several Islington locations linked to Stephenson’s life, including,

• The location of the church he was married in,
• The location of one of his old houses,
• The location of the workhouse, where he died,
• The location of his grave, where he was buried,
• The location of his brother’s house.

Kingston upon Hull, Hopefully by this point in time, the combined Hull History Centre will be up and running and open for research!!!

Other events planned, I have been chatting again with the Dawber family, and will be visiting them soon to discuss their family history and links to Robert D’Onston Stephenson.  I am not sure what I will be doing with any of the findings, but watch this space!!

Healthwise, I have a Cardiologist appointment later this month, and recently had a scare when I lost sight in my right eye.  Thankfully, although my heart is not working too good, I can at least see now!

Dear all,

We’re delighted to announce the creation of an official blog on the Conference at www.ripperconference.com/blog.

Mike Covell will be updating you all each Saturday from now until October, sharing his thoughts on the latest developments as the event takes shape.

Best wishes
Adam Wood and Andy Aliffe
Conference Organisers
www.ripperconference.com