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/

STEPHENSON 

Well, it’s been a busy month of research, with efforts made to trace more information on some of the people that surrounded Robert D’Onston Stephenson during his life.

Among those targeted where,

• Inspector Thomas Roots
• Rev. Charles Prest
• Bishop Westcott
• Thomas Fowler
• Dr Allan

I managed to secure pictures, newspaper reports, and valuble official records on all 4, as well as many other people.  Most of this material is brand new and has never been published!!

DEEMING

Efforts have also been made in several previously unseen newspaper accounts of Frederick Bailey Deeming and his alleged involvement in the Whitechapel Murders, all of which make interesting reading.

I also traced several previously unpublished newspapers detailing Deeming’s visit and incarcaration in Hull.  All of these offer a fresh new light on this mysterious man!

THE ROYAL STATION HOTEL CONNECTION

Over the years 4 previously named suspects have had links to Hull’s Royal Station Hotel.  This week I managed to trace a very rare copy of a book about the hotel, written by the North Eastern Railway company, and offering valuble insights into the Hotel, it’s formation, and ever changing interior. 

I also managed to trace over 20 newspaper reports, dating from 1854 to 1900, featuring the 4 previously named suspects in conjuction with this wonderful Victorian hotel.

I didn’t realise these exsisted, but might very well order a few for future usage!

http://www.hullarchives.co.uk/fotoweb/grid1.fwx?columns=5&rows=3&folderid=5000&SF_GROUP1_BOOLEAN=and&SF_FIELD1_GROUP=1&SF_LASTSEARCH=&Stemming=&Synonyms=&Phonic=&SF_SEARCHINRESULT=0&SF_FIELD1=&search=jack+the+ripper&searchOptions=Select+a+common+search…

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!!

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.

From Hell, From Hull

It’s been a busy week working on two massive new chapters, charting the rise of the Stephenson family, and charting the rise of the Dawber family.

Research

A day out at the Local Heritage Centre is on the cards for tomorrow, tying up some loose ends, and getting page numbers etc from sources I have used in the past.

TWITTER

Anyone with a TWITTER account can now follow me at http://twitter.com/MikeCovell

Newspapers From Hull

The transcription process is about 75% done, with the introduction and chapters looking at Hull Press completed, however, I am taking time of this project to concentrate on “From Hell, From Hull”

During the last two weeks I have been pouring over reports in the Hull Packet and East Riding Times, for reports on Stephenson and Dawber families.  This has led to over 60 new reports!

The reports cover dates from 1840 to 1890 and feature,

• Richard Stephenson Snr and the selling of several tons of manure,
• Richard Stephenson Snr and the selling of the Union Mill,
• Richard Stephenson Snr and his attempt to become a voter,
• Richard Stephenson Snr and the suicide of his cousin,
• Richard Stephenson Snr and his investments with The Yorkshire banking company,
• Richard Stephenson Jnr and his election to become Hull City Councillor,
• Richard Stephenson Jnr and his election to become a Sculcoates Guardian,
• Isabella Dawber Stephenson/Richardson and her wedding,
• Isabella Dawber Stephenson/Richardson and her dealings with the Yorkshire banking co.
• A Sermon by Rev Prest, on his work in Italy.
• A Service by Rev Prest for Isabella Dawber Stephenson/Richardson
• A report on the finances of the Hull Weslean Home Missions by Secretary Richard Stephenson junior.
• Several auctions held by Joseph Dawber and his Solicitors firm.
• Several donations made by Joseph Dawber to various charitable institutions.
• Alexander McLennan Fowler being charged for poaching!
• William Dawber being charged with leaving handcarts unattended.
• Richard Stephenson Junior being present at the laying of the foundation stone for St Silas Church!

Work is already underway to transcribe the reports, and already the current Stephenson chronology stands at 52376 words spread over 83 pages, and thats just the time line!! 

I must take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been in touch since the TV, Radio and Newspaper appearance, and all those that have offered help.  It is all appreciated and full acknowledgements will appear in print in the book.

Taken from the Hull Daily Mail

A writer has claimed there are several people with links to Hull who could have been Jack the Ripper.

No one has ever been able to identify the man who stalked the streets of London’s East End in 1888, killing women.

But Mike Covell, from Severn Street, east Hull has devoted his time to tracking down the killer – and told the Mail there are plausible suspects linked to Hull and the East Riding.

Mr Covell, 30, has now started writing a book on the subject.

He said: “I first got involved the case when I visited Ferens Arts Gallery, in Hull, and they told me they had Jack the Ripper’s paintings.

“I did some investigating and it led me into all sorts of different areas.

“There have been 120 suspects who have been involved so far and some have strong links to Hull.”

Among them is Frederick Bailey Deeming, a bigamist who married in Beverley and honeymooned in Hull.

He was later jailed in the city for fraud and went on to kill two of his wives by slitting their throats.

Robert Donston Stephenson, born and raised in Hull, was another suspect.

Stephenson was accused of the killings by one of his friends, but told police he knew the identity of the killer – a doctor at the London Hospital.

Both men were staying in Whitechapel at the time of the murders.

Mr Covell said: “I’m writing a book about the connections called Jack The Ripper: From Hell, From Hull.

“I have all the newspaper articles published round here about the case since 1888. I would like to release them as a complete record.”

Jack the Ripper murdered 11 women from 1888 to 1891 in areas around Whitechapel.

Mr Covell regularly posts on the user-generated website Your Mail, keeping those interested in the case up-to-date with his latest research.

Article: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Jack-Ripper-Hull/article-1079694-detail/article.html?cacheBust=3Ysw8FO118Cb&authid=sSdf4iUsy52lgXrYQzLE1PAbIg4EbIdN5fIrL3bQLys9VKXZ1245140924251&success=true#community

Follow On Article on Thisisyourmail: http://www.thisisyourmail.co.uk/posts/your_patch/view/62009-jack-the-ripper-from-hell-or-hull-

Stephenson/Dawber Research

Although the local studies library and City Archives are now closed, work still continues in the research of both Stephenson and Dawber families.  Prior to Christmas I obtained hundreds of records and entries, that show the Dawber family business, where it operated from, and in several instances, who was in charge of certain areas of the business. 

These have all been digitised now, and form a seperate chronology for the Dawber family, but are also being incorporated into the larger Stephenson chronology.

One of the most interesting aspects, is seeing how the Dawber business grows, as the Stephenson families fortunes also seem to grow.  Then, as the Dawber family and Stephenson family seem to pull apart, the Stephenson families luck seem’s to change!

I will be looking into this further, as it appears that both William Dawber and later Robert Dawber, where in control of the Stephenson family via Mrs Isabella Stephenson.  It was previously thought that Richard Stephenson was in control, but it appears as though he is a kept man!!

All the work on both Dawber and Stephenson will be donated to the Dawber family, to help in their own research into their family tree.

Jack the Ripper-Newspapers From Hull

The book is growing in size, and after taking some time out from this project, I am back in the saddle and working harder than ever, transcribing fresh newspaper reports, and writing new chapters. 

So far the book features chapters on the following,

Introduction - A brief History of Kingston upon Hull

Newspapers from Hell, From Hull
The book is expanding at an alarming rate, it’s huge, over 250+ articles, and many of these, I believe, have not appeared before. I also spent several hours this week looking at when each newspaper was launched, when it ceased, who owned it, who published it, wether it was a daily, or weekly paper, wether it was morning or nightly, where the offices were based, which had telephones in 1888, which had London offices in 1888, etc.
A study on Hull Newspapers was undertaken in 2005, funded by Hull City Council, but it was nowhere near as large as the work I have undertaken. 

A New Newspaper added to the list,
Initially I was to include only 4 of the Hull Newspapers, but since I made that decision, I was faced with a microfilm of another Hull newspaper. I now have all the reports pertaining to the Whitechapel murders, and I have began transcribing those.

A New Newspaper?
One of the only newspaper for the period I cannot get my hands on is The Hull Globe, but after several internet searches, I have tracked down a copy. I am in the process of arranging a sitting to access the newspaper, and try to get copies of the Whitechapel Murder articles!!

Stephenson - Dawber and Co,
Some new finds came this week into the families of both Stephenson and Dawber. The finds where made in Trade Directories, which had previously been unavailable, and show some of the missing years of the families chronologies. I was also able to track down later trade directories which show a little more about the Dawber family.
It is quite possible a Non-Ripper article will be written, concentrating on the Dawber family, and submitted to a local genealogical magazine. Watch this space…

Jack the Ripper, From Hell-From Hull?
The book was heavily editied this week, after I got rid of some of the global news reports and replaced them with some local news reports. I also added several new dates to the Stephenson chronology.

Mike Covell’s Haunted Hull,
Another book to be heavily edited, but purely for technological reasons. The picture files were massive and taking up too much space, so I have deleted all the images, and left it as a text document, at least until I get round compacting all the wonderful images!!

Last night,
Last night I was granted access to a wonderful building which was built in the late 1890’s as a relieving and vaccination office. I was there to speak to the residents as it as now become a homeless shelter, and I was lecturing on local history and the paranormal. By the end of the evening, the chat turned to JTR and it was a fun evening, with some really nice people.

Health

This last few months seem to have been an uphill struggle, as I always seem to be attacked by viruses due to my pathetic immune system.  I have had to put up with vomiting, dizzyness, nausea, and loads of other nasty symptoms.  I look towards the day that everything is sorted and I can continue on as normal.  But until then, I have my ongoing research to keep me busy!