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I know it’s been a while since I have posted a book on here, but I have been quite busy with the research and family business. It seems like only yesterday when I recieved the first edition of this book, so when I found out that a second edition was on the way I was quite pleased. The first edition was a materclass of research and investigation, showing that you could create a book on the crimes without forcing a suspect on the public, and still create an exciting read. This weeks book is the excellent, The London of Jack the Ripper - Then and Now, by Philip Hutchinson and Robert Clack. Once again the reader is taken on a journey through the East End of London on the trail of the Ripper, through all of the locations associated with the victims, the murder sites, the sites of the inquests, post mortems and much much more. The first edition was a must have, and it would seem like it was impossible to improve on that, but Philip and Robert do just that, with the text reading better than ever, and the images the sharpest I have ever seen! |
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It’s been a busy week researching again, with work carried out on Rev. Charles Prest. Prest carried out sermons at several churches in Hull during the 1850’s and 1860’s and later had a property in Islington, London, that was used by Robert D’Onston Stephenson. This week I have uncovered information that connect both the Stephenson and Prest families as far back as the 1840’s! I have also began work on a list of Charles Prest’s work, Some books by Rev Charles Prest, 1840 Rev Charles Prest releases his book The witness of the Spirit. A sermon preached in the Wesleyan Chapel, Cherry-Street, Birmingham: and published at the request of the leaders’ meeting, printed and sold by R. Peart and Son, 1840 It appears as though John Mason passed away during this break, as Prest’s next work is a sermon about Mason’s life and death, Finally, bringing the list full circle is an entry by Frederick James Jobson, covering Rev Charles Prest’s life and death, |
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Jack the Ripper- From Hell, From Hull? The book has expanded at an alarming rate, and now features massive chapters on several suspects with links to Hull. Among them are Walter Sickert, the chapter looks at all the authors and theorists that have presented books on this enigmatic man. Looking indepth at claims made by Patricia Cornwell, Stephen Knight, Melvin Fairclough, Jean Overton Fuller, and Donald McCormick. Prince Albert, the chapter presents a detailed account of “Bertie’s” several visit’s to Hull, and a massive chapter on his dealings with the Wilson family at Tranby Croft. Prince Eddy, the chapter looks at Eddy’s many visit’s to the City, his life, and the claims by authors surrounding his alleged involvement in the Whitechapel Murders. Frederick Bailey Deeming, the chapter looks at Deeming’s life, criminal past, and visit to Hull. A full account of Deeming in the Hull Press is also given, alongside the previously unpublished Magistrates papers when he was imprisoned in Hull! And thats only four of the eight suspects!! The section of the book on Robert D’Onston Stephenson is taking shape with chapters on his early life, the life of his father’s side of the family, and the life of his mother’s side of the family. Each chapter is fully referenced, with footnotes, and sources listed for anyone wishing to learn more about the sources of information used. In fact, the book is so huge, that a recent investigation showed that the memory card holding the text file only is almost 2GB and rising, forcing me to copy the text files over to a much larger 4GB card!! |
This week…
Archives, Books, Deeming, Events, Hull Press, Libraries, Press Reports, Research No Comments »|
Deeming in Hull I am currently working on a new chapter on Frederick Bailey Deeming and I am therefore consulting the following, As well as utilising the primary sources on the Deeming site here, Alongside 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. |
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Although not directly a “Ripper book” E1 brings more to the case than most “Ripper Books” and teaches us something new. I was looking forward to this release for some time, and when it arrived yesterday, I was unable to put it down, until I finished it! The book is split into two sections, Whitechapel and Spitalfields, with each section once again split into smaller chapters, and covers the geographical area of E1, minus Mile End, Stepney, Shadwell and Wapping, but despite this, it is book full of wonderful suprises and information for both the East End Novice, to the true Eastender. The photo’s are full of little details, and local charector, which will become a vital resource on the area in years to come, if not now. Market traders, shoppers, and diners of every creed, colour and nationality are here, and it amazing to think that the same social groups are still as evident today as they was back in the Victorian period, but the book goes beyond that. Most, if not all, of the locations in the book contain a full history, not just of the building, but the people associated with it, and tales of strikes, marches, protests, and criminal activity come to life, and take you on a journey into what life was like in the past. Jack the Ripper gets the ocasional mention, alongside other colourful charectors such as the Krays, Jack “The Hat” McVitie, and Dick Turpin. The book also features information on Joseph Merrick aka The Elephant Man and Michael Jackson! This is a great book, and one that is so easy to pick up and read in one sitting, or to visit time and time again in smaller bitesize chunks. If you don’t learn something new from this book, you have not read it properly! A must for anyone with an interest in the East End of London, it’s buildings, people, streets and stories. I must congratulate John Bennett on a great read, and also Five Leaves Publishing for the quick turnaround on delivery! E1 A Journey Through Whitechapel and Spitalfields John G. Bennett 2009 Five Leaves Publishing ISBN: 978 1 905512 54 6 RRP: £9.99 |
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This week has been an amazing week of discoveries, from the finds on the Dawber family, to discovering that Dixon Stephenson changed his surname when he was married. I also met a descendent of Dr. Kelburn King, who was the Stephenson family doctor, so that was a nice coup! The Photo The image I discovered has links to the Stephenson family, and shows a set of buildings which are now sadly lost. The picture forms part of a book, so copyright rules are enforced, and I cannot show the image, but measures are in place to contact the author and holder of copyright. The Image shows Church Street at the turn of the century, with a row of houses, a public house, and a church. The church is the Church Street Primitive Methodist Chapel, and the adjoining properties are two rather small tenaments, with a door each, 1st floor window, and attic window. The property next to the church was the one which Richard Stephenson Junior gained access to in 1874, during what was termed “The Church Street Scandal” Stephenson turfed out one Francis Roe and his family, but ended up leaving, and the matter was taken to the police courts. It was during this period that Richard Junior was a Councillor for the East Sculcoates Ward, and the scandal made the Hull Press, furnishing us with several long stories regarding the Stephenson’s! |
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Technical Information
During my quest to get hold of reading material concerning the Whitechapel Murders and the press coverage they recieved I came across this title. I had read about it from an old issue of Ripper Notes, that I had bought off Amazon, but just couldn’t track down a copy of the book. What struck me about this book, is how big it is, considering it looks at a small selection of reports from Ireland, during 1888, but this is what makes it unique. The book takes the reader on a journey through every twist and turn of the events that unfolded in 1888, including the political events that transpired during the Parnell Commission, and how the Irish Press percieved events in the UK. The book starts with the first murder, before hitting us with a selection of reports discussing the social conditions that were present in Victorian London. Next up are a collection of reports showing the Irish opinion of Scotland Yard, and how bad the organisation is run, which proves to be a real eye opener. Chapters on Annie Chapman’s murder, and Leather Apron follow, looking at the arrest, investigation and release of Piser, before we are given a short breather with chapters on the Irish, and how they are percieved as murderers, and bad people by the English! This gives the reader a unique insight into the tensions between the two Nations during this period, but offers little respite before the double event. It was during this period that the newspaper’s appeared to go into overdrive, the book taking two chapters to cover the murders, victims antecedents, investigations, and inquests. Another short interlude to look at The Irish Home Rule, with a views and political analysis, before were back to Whitechapel for articles on Bloodhounds, Policemen and Politicians, in what is one of my favourite chapters of the book, highlighting the tensions between the police, press, and polititicians, which is a shame, as they more or less had a common goal! Next up is the murder of Mary Kelly, looking at Mary’s life and trying to trace her origins, whilst looking at the vicious murders, and how they were percieved by both the public and the press. Finally, we have time to relax, as the final chapter deals with the aftermath, the resignations, and the final murders, although not attributed to Jack, where a part of the Whitechapel Murder series. What really struck me about this book is the amount of work Alan has put into it, not only is it packed full of hundreds of reports from a massive range of newspapers, but each report comes with a commentary, pointing out the errors and myths, and giving the reader more information about the people, places, and events that are unfolding in the press. Alan also undertook a massive amount of research into Mary Kelly, which is presented in the book, and there are also several large appendix, packed full of information for readers wishing to research further. This is one of the few books that can be picked up and read wherever you are, you really don’t need to follow events, or keep track of what, where and when, as the commentary is written in such a manner, that your informed before you start reading each article, thus making the book, an easy to use reference guide. I cannot recommend this book enough!! |
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Every now and then, a book comes along, that changes people’s view of the case, inspires them, and re-ignites the passion they once had. A book which makes you look at the case in a different light, not dwelling on the suspects, but looking at the location and social history of the surrounding area. The London of Jack the Ripper- Then and Now, is one of those books.Released in 2007, this pictorial history of East London is a valuable resource that is an essential part of any Ripperologist, True Crime Enthusiast, or Historians bookcase. Text and Images by Philip Hutchinson, and Robert Clack, featuring a foreword by Stewart P. Evans. The book runs at 190 pages and is packed with images both old and new, chapters on the victims, and some thought provoking images, that will make you want to take the trip to London, and visit the sites yourself! Publisher, Breedon Books have now sold out of the book, and will no longer commission another print run, unless they receive orders of over 500 copies! Your support, and ideas on how to get another print run of this excellent book is appreciated! Please feel free to leave comments and show your support for this excellent title.If you are a member of Casebook, there is a thread here, http://forum.casebook.org/showthread.php?t=74If you are a member of jtrforums.com, there is a thread here, http://www.jtrforums.com/showthread.php?t=3179&page=2If you are a member of Facebook, there is a group here, http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51211653230#/group.php?gid=51211653230Breedon Books, http://www.breedonbooks.co.uk/ Thank you. |
Updates, Findings, and other News- January
Archives, Books, Libraries, Research, Stephenson Family 1 Comment »|
Well it is 2009 and firstly I would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support on the blogg, their comments, and of course well wishes. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year!! Stephenson research One thing I love about the internet is the amount of new material that is added on a daily basis. Last year I was looking for gaps in my chronology on the Stephenson and Dawber families, and searched serveal online archival sources, finding only the material I already have. Yesterday I re-searched these sites and eventually found a couple of new references. What sets these aside from other referecnes is that fact that the findings where found not in a Hull Trade Directory, but a York Trade Directory! The names, dates, locations and occupations all match what is known both before and after the entries, but finding them in a Trade Directory from another district was quite a coup, and of course, opens up new avenues for research!! Origin’s of the name “Sudden Death” The search is on to now find the origin of the name “Sudden Death” which was allegedly used by Stephenson, and has brought up some interesting observations and theories! See the discussion here, http://www.jtrforums.com/showthread.php?t=5633&page=2 Now where is a researcher supposed to search? With the closure of Hull City Archives, Hull’s Local Studies Library and Hull University Archives, where is a Hull based researcher supposed to search? Well, yesterday I recieved reassurance from Hull’s Carnegie Heritage Centre, that they will remain open and welcome new visitors and researchers. The building is a lovely place, with a wide range of research tools. |
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The Ripper in Ramsgate by Christopher Scott. As a local historian I love books on local history, espcially those that teach me new details about the place that I live, and that people that once lived here. These books take the reader on a journey and make one appreciate the area that they live in, and help them remind younger generations why those areas are of importance. Chris takes us on a similar journey through Ramsgate, and show’s us that not every Ripper book has to be about the ripper, but can also cover the minor supporting charectors that make the case so interesting. He states in the begining that he has no intention of revealing a new suspect, but instead he takes us through the people involved in the case, and what links them to this seaside town. Utilising Chris’s knowledge of BMD entries, Census records, and press reports, the stories unfold supported by primary sources. All in all a rather interesting read, which is a valuable addition to any book shelf. The book is available now priced £3.99 and postage is free within the UK. |
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