Did the Canonical 5 know each other

[RockySullivan]

Very different times, Rocky. It was a small area with literally hundreds of people living in every small street, many of them occupying different accommodation on different nights. And they weren't all "working girls" in the modern sense of the word, either. They turned to soliciting when they had to, but that didn't necessarily make them regular prostitutes patrolling the same "beats".

How is this any different than parts of NY now? People who are up at night get to know each other. It's busy yes but how many girls are out at night? They all might congregate in a local establishment as well. Annie and Mary Kelly lived on Dorset st I would think they'd know each other.

[Debra A]

Yes, this might be a fool's errand, and it is almost impossible to prove a negative (that they did not know each other). But, in the absence of a piece of research that has focused on this, it seems worth the effort of looking and seeing what, if anything, is there.

Research into the lodging houses, prisons, workhouses and infirmaries has been ongoing for years and there are certain addresses like 18 and 19 George St that some of the women involved in the case have in common, as I mentioned earlier. It is possible the women knew each other in my opinion but good luck convincing anyone who opposes the idea without that photograph!

[Sleuth1888]

Indeed, though people in this thread have been most respectful and helpful.

I don't have a theory, just a question. A theory might follow if evidence reveals they knew each other.

Have you read The Bank Holiday Murders by Tom Wescott? I highly recommend it, there's some interesting theories and interpretation of evidence in there, especially regarding whether some of the victims knew each other.

[etenguy]

In my view whether they knew each other is a possibility.

Yes there were thousands of people living in the East End at the time but also its disappointing that when someone suggests the victims may have known each other or even had a passing acquaintance they are derided as a 'conspiracy theorist.'

Indeed, though people in this thread have been most respectful and helpful.

I don't have a theory, just a question. A theory might follow if evidence reveals they knew each other.

[etenguy]

Very different times, Rocky. It was a small area with literally hundreds of people living in every small street, many of them occupying different accommodation on different nights. And they weren't all "working girls" in the modern sense of the word, either. They turned to soliciting when they had to, but that didn't necessarily make them regular prostitutes patrolling the same "beats".

Indeed. Simply identifying they were in a position to know each other (used same pubs, lodged in same house etc...) does not necessarily mean they did. A more substantive piece of evidence would be needed. Like the picture of the five woman eating christmas dinner together and giving each other gifts. That picture was compelling for me.

By the way, to save me a smidgen of effort - has anyone a copy of that photo?

No - thought not. That'd be too easy.

[Sleuth1888]

In my view whether they knew each other is a possibility.

Yes there were thousands of people living in the East End at the time but also its disappointing that when someone suggests the victims may have known each other or even had a passing acquaintance they are derided as a 'conspiracy theorist.'

[Sam Flynn]

Home run Jerry. This must have been posted before since that article is referred to often with the story about the boy. I think the girls would have known each other, all local working girls working the streets in a small area like that know each other

Very different times, Rocky. It was a small area with literally hundreds of people living in every small street, many of them occupying different accommodation on different nights. And they weren't all "working girls" in the modern sense of the word, either. They turned to soliciting when they had to, but that didn't necessarily make them regular prostitutes patrolling the same "beats".

[RockySullivan]

Home run Jerry. This must have been posted before since that article is referred to often with the story about the boy. I think the girls would have known each other, all local working girls working the streets in a small area like that know each other

[etenguy]

Yep even today imagine in 1888 Whitechapel.

Many would cross paths and not even know the other existed.

Yes, this might be a fool's errand, and it is almost impossible to prove a negative (that they did not know each other). But, in the absence of a piece of research that has focused on this, it seems worth the effort of looking and seeing what, if anything, is there.

[GUT]

Especially given that the paths of many hundreds, indeed thousands, of rootless people crossed in such places.

Yep even today imagine in 1888 Whitechapel.

Many would cross paths and not even know the other existed.

[etenguy]

Hi etenguy
I just meant it would be very difficult to prove these women knew each other even if we knew places where their paths crossed.

Especially given that the paths of many hundreds, indeed thousands, of rootless people crossed in such places.

Thanks Debra and Sam

You are both absolutely correct, I do not under-estimate the difficulty in finding any compelling evidence. But establishing whether their paths provably crossed in any meaningful way might be an achievable first step.

[Sam Flynn]

I just meant it would be very difficult to prove these women knew each other even if we knew places where their paths crossed.

Especially given that the paths of many hundreds, indeed thousands, of rootless people crossed in such places.

[Debra A]

Hi Debra

I agree that if there were any evidence out there, we would probably have seen some of it by now. But then I never expected to find some of the information that has come out in the few posts in this thread. So, absolutely worth a look, I think.

Hi etenguy
I just meant it would be very difficult to prove these women knew each other even if we knew places where their paths crossed.

[Debra A]

I'd be very surprised if anyone hawking out in Stratford would stay at the Newington Workhouse (given Stratford is East of Whitechapel and even now a half hour drive from the Elephant), it should be remembered though that there was a market at the Crystal Palace, only a couple of hours walk from Newington/Walworth Road

Paul

Hi Paul
Vagrants were asked to state where they spent the previous night and also give their destination for the next day. Stratford comes up a lot in the records for both these categories, not necessarily by anyone connected to Whitechapel, although I think that I could find at least one example of both destinations being used.

[kjab3112]

Going back to the original post, has anyone looked at their frequented bars. Wouldn't at all be surprised if they may have crossed paths in the varying public houses of Whitechapel

Paul