We are looking for information about Joseph GRINDELL born around 1826. We believe that he was from Gloucestershire or the Forest of Dean. The first records that we have of him are in Australia. Unfortunately I have not been able to locate him or his wife on a ship manifest or other Australian documents.

Joseph married Maria HARVEY July 19 1853 in St John, Parramatta, NSW Australia. He owned a home and some land there then immigrated to California, USA in 1867 with his wife and several children. We know Joseph was VERY proudly Welsh. He listed England as his birthplace on US census records. He was also consistent with his birth year being 1826 on the census documents.

The only real lead that we have is an arrest record for a Joseph Grindell age 13 imprisoned for 1 month on l Aug 3 1839 in Gloucester, England (crime not listed). "Register of all persons charged with indictable offenses at the assizes and sessions held within the county during the year 1939"

We would appreciate any help.
thanks
ejw

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EJW
Ft Myers Fl

BNA Cheltenham Chronicle - Thursday 08 August 1839

Gloucestershire Summer Assizes, Tuesday

Joseph Grindell, 13, and Richard Williams, 18, charged with stealing, on 14th July, at English Bicknor, a quantity of harness traces and other articles, the property of William Blanch. Grindell pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to one month’s hard labour in the Penitentiary. Williams was acquitted.

Thanks Mike,
That's great information.
ejw

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EJW
Ft Myers Fl

In Gloucestershire Archives his residence is listed as Joyford. This is in Gloucestershire and only a short distance from English Bicknor.

http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/genealogy/Search.aspx

The Gloucestershire prison records on Ancestry describe him as four feet ten inches, brown hair, brown eyes, long visage, fresh complexion, small mole on the back of the neck, right side, and unable to read or write. Details of the crime were that he stole five brasses from cart harness and four tail cases. The committing magistrates were P.J.Ducarel Esq and E.Machen Esq. His conduct was described as “orderly”.

Thanks again Mike,
I really appreciate the help. I wish I could afford both Ancestry and Myheritage. Both are good resources but a bit pricey.

Do you have a suggestion for pinning down the address in Joyford?
EJW

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EJW
Ft Myers Fl

On the 1841 census

Gloucestershire Bicknor English

District 14 (there are only 13 pages)

William BLANCH is the Farm Baliff at Cross Farm House (on page 3)

Joyford covers only a couple of pages

Daniel GRINDALL aged 12 on Page 4

Page 5

Joyford

William GRINDALL - 40 - Coalminer
Ann - 35
Mary - 9
William - 3
Bethia - 8 months

a few doors away on the next pages

Michael GRINDALL - 30 - Coalminer
Sarah - 30
Selina - 10
Michael - 6
Jane - 4
Edith - 2

Page 7 : Sarah GRINDALL aged 60

(both William & Michael's marriages are on Fod Records)

Although no baptism exists for Joseph - assume this could possibly be family members

? was Joseph illegitimate

Hi MPGriffiths
Thanks for your time. I have no idea if he was legitimate. I'm not certain of anything I have found or seen of my ancestor Joseph Grindell previous to Austrailia.

It makes sense to me that he was a hoodlum that managed to get transported. That is why I have focused on the arrested Joseph Grindell that is the right age.

In my research I found very few Josephs of the right approximate age. There is a Joseph Hale (who is the right age) living with William and Mary Grindle 1841 Glouc census in Forest of Dean. I suspect this Joseph is Mary's brother, but that is clearly speculation, but it seems promising and worth some time to flesh out.

The entry goes:
William Grindle 30 miner
Mary Grindle 20
James Grindle 24 miner
Ann Hale 50 widow
Joseph Hale 15 miner
Sarah Hale 14

All are born in Gloucestershire except Joseph is listed as unknown.

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EJW
Ft Myers Fl