the British library

what a privilege to be working at the British library today in the modern collections 

The news on the 1921 census

Exciting news at the national archives the 1921 census is well under way for its release next year! Once a decade a snap shot is taken of the country. This time we get to look at Britain post Ww1.

Lord william nevill had been through two prison sentences and was attempting to rebuild his life again although time was taking its toll on him . in 1921 Lord Nevill with 61 years old. He had been through much . He was a little bit disheartened by the lack of changes, on one hand that his books had bought around, but on another feeling out of pace and left behind by all the changes in the world around him. Still married to Louise and ever they spent their days at Onslow Gardens

happy new year 2020! from 1901

happy 2020 to all readers of the lord William Nevill blog. this was an important time of the year for lord Nevill and one he celebrated, not only as it coincided with his release from prison but he chose to release his book on this date in 1903. the anonymously written "penal servitude" was the first time I came across lord Nevill. it was September 2003 and I was looking for a present for my father when I came across this tome in the Oxfam book shop in Worcester. there was a newspaper cutting from an Edwardian paper so I brought it. I'm so glad I did as it changed my world!

From the cells

Working in a prison cell today has given me a real insight into the life of lord william beauchamp nevill and his time in various prisons at the turn of the century Md during the 1920s.

The space its self very quickly becomes almost part of you. You feel the safety of the four walls as well as the claustrophobia.  The walls are there to define you. You are a prisoner. Kept apart from the world but also to keep the world away from you.

It is quiet bar the sound of the water pipes and the muted sound of voices. I can hear people but not what they are saying. It adds to the sense of isolation. It leaves you wondering whether they will come to you or will you be left. A reminder of that fact the world continues without you.
You have stepped away from home and society. It will continue to change with out you as you will. When the two come back together, home and self, both will be different. 

after a summer of continuing the search for the final resting place of Lord William Beauchamp Nevill, I had some success at locating family members on his wife's side. there were a number of Murrieta graves at St Mary's catholic cemetery in London. I had made numerous trips here and been told there was no one by that name interred here. it transpires a middle word such as De (as in De Murrieta ) will not show any results.

A lesson in persevering and not being afraid to go over old ground when it comes to research

welcome back

welcome back to the blog about me research into the life of the Victorian prison reformer Lord William beauchamp nevill

Digital panopticon

https://www.digitalpanopticon.org/