Wiki: Jack the Ripper

[Glenn Lauritz Andersson]

Great job, John, as always.
My omly objection is that Barnett is only referred to as "Suspect" in connection with the Paley theory while he has also been suggested as Kelly's murderer with no Ripper connection, as suggested by for example Alex Chisholm.
Regardless of what one thinks of the Kelly murder as a Ripper crime or not, this theory should be included as well.

All the best

[John Bennett]

Joseph Barnett

OK.

Just done Joseph Barnett and like the GSG it is a tricky subject because he is also a SUSPECT.

Any additions, omissions, hints, advice would be welcome.

Cheers all
John

[spryder]

Just a quick note that we're now starting to integrate the main Casebook site with the wiki project in specific areas. The first section is Witnesses, which some of you may have already noticed, is now fully integrated into the wiki project. As witnesses are added/modified in the wiki, they will show up straight away in the "Witnesses" section on the main Casebook site.

We'll be doing the same over time other sections of the site - the Victims section will likely be the next to be integrated.

Thanks again to John for his stellar work on the wiki project!

[Pinkerton]

excellent!

I just wanted to compliment the great work of the volunteers of the Wiki project! It was exactly what I hoped it would be when I voiced my opinion in support of such as project. This is an great resource that I have already found myself referring to when I come across an unknown person or place related to the case. And I'm glad to see that most of the entries have sources posted. This should at the very least keep out some of the more wild and unsubstantiated claims which can often undermine the utility of resources such as this. And I think this wiki is a good demonstration of what can happen when information is freely exchanged from a large pool of expertise.

Keep up the good work!

[John Bennett]

Thanks for the hints and PM's folks. All good stuff.

JB

[John Bennett]

Good point Stephen - and it does fit in with my remit of neutrality on the subject.

I've now put a bit in to that effect.

[Stephen Thomas]

If anybody wants to post feedback about it, mainly things that could go in, errors or what have you, I'd certainly appreciate any advice.

Hi John

Superb work again here. I'm constantly impressed by your Wiki stuff.

In the last bit, 'Interpretation', I'd humbly suggest that a discussion of the 'double negative' would be in order ie does it mean Jews should be blamed for nothing or Jews should be blamed for something. As a serial user of double negatives for effect, I'd go with the former and so believe that it wasn't written by JTR. Do you read the 'Yobs' cartoon strip in Private Eye? In the last issue a Yobette is shown about to go out for the night and her parents are saying that her dress is too short and too low cut, to which she replies 'I know and I'm not wearing any knickers either'. In the letters column of the current issue a perceptive reader states that surely such a young lady would have used the double negative and said 'I'm not wearing no knickers either'. I'd have gone for the triple negative ie 'I'm not wearing no knickers neither'.

All the best

[Jon Guy]

Just some feedback to say great work John !!!

[John Bennett]

Gsg

I've just done the Wiki page for the Goulston Street Graffito.

As it is quite a contentious subject, I've tried to keep it as neutral as possible, but I am keen to make sure it is as well-informed as possible too.

If anybody wants to post feedback about it, mainly things that could go in, errors or what have you, I'd certainly appreciate any advice.

As always, the Wiki project needs lerts!

Thanks all.
John

[John Bennett]

There are also some detailed biographical notes on Harvey on pp. 32, 33 of Gavin Bromley's article, "City Beat (Part II)" in Ripperologist no 75 (January 2007).

Thanks Chris,

I have it somewhere but am unable to get to it at the moment.

That said, in that issue there's Robert Hills' article on George Morris that has some great biographical stuff in it (it's on Casebook). I couldn't find the man myself. Oh the shame.

JB

[Chris]

Not only that, he told me PC Harvey's age in 1888 - cue biographical discoveries.

There are also some detailed biographical notes on Harvey on pp. 32, 33 of Gavin Bromley's article, "City Beat (Part II)" in Ripperologist no 75 (January 2007).

[Monty]

Thanks to John

Awesome foundation laying mate. My modem is sorted so Im back in the game as it were- see you there.

[John Bennett]

Oh, and before I forget, Jon Guy also gave me some info on horse-slaughterer Charles Brittan (of Barber's Yard) leading to the discovery that his surname was actually BRETTON! He lived in both Buck's Row (1881) and Winthrop Street (1891).

Not only that, he told me PC Harvey's age in 1888 - cue biographical discoveries.

This is the sort of thing that collaboration throws up, folks. Cheers Jon.

[spryder]

I just wanted to reiterate how much I appreciate the hard word John's put into the Wiki project - and the same goes for all our other volunteers and editors as well. But as those of you who have been following the "wiki updates" in the left-hand column of every page will already know, John's really gone above and beyond to get the Wiki off to an awesome start.

If you're interested in joining the wiki project, please feel free to create an account on the software. BUT ALSO please remember to email me immediately after so I can go in and approve your account - until that happens, you won't be able to edit anything.

Cheers, and thanks again John!

[John Bennett]

Hi all,
Just an update on the progress of the Ripper:wiki.

Due to personal circumstances, I’ve had a bit too much time on my hands and as a result it now contains 164 entries. I have been plodding away through Stephen Ryder’s initial victims pages and highlighting places, witnesses, police etc and then working my way through them, starting with Tabram related stuff.

I’ve just reached Mary Kelly which could be a bit of a minefield, but as I’m trying to steer clear of theories/debate in favour of primary/contemporary secondary sources it may not be that tough.

I’ve not tackled Doctors and Senior Police Officers, as quite frankly, they are a bit outside my sphere and I was kinda hoping that there may be some better informed volunteers out there who would fancy having a go (some already have). I’ve also left alone entries where folk have said ‘I’ll do that one’ or have already started. With that in mind, thanks to Chris, Simon Wood, Magpie, Monty, Rob House, Jon Guy and Rob Clack who’ve all contributed directly or indirectly, one way or another.

With the people, I’m always trying to flesh out the entries with personal info, usually derived from census returns, giving a little more information about the characters in the case. Recent snippets include stuff about PC James Harvey and Winthrop Street nightwatchman Patrick Mulshaw who appears to have never left home! I’ve only done this where a positive identification can be made. Neal Shelden and Chris Scott’s work has also been invaluable here.

Anyway, there are 29 users signed up altogether, so there’s plenty of potential contributors, which is what this project is about, after all!

Cheers
John

(Bloodshot-eyed, RSI, backache - enjoying it though)