James Buchanan number 16 possible sweetshop

[Wilton Endeavour]

Just a little update Rootchatters on this thread.

I got a reply back from Rutherglen library.
Thank you for your enquiry about the James Buchanan shops located in Rutherglen and I have forwarded your email onto our Heritage Librarian, Zen.  Unfortunately, Zen is off sick at the moment but will answer your enquiry on her return.

In 1891, the residents for 20 Castle Street, Rutherglen, were as follows:-
James Buchanan, 45 Unemployed Potter, born Prestonpans
Isa, Wife, 43, born Edinburgh
John, Son, 22?, General Labourer, Prestonpans
James, Son, 17, Grocers Assistant, Prestonpans
Daniell, Son, 15, Prestonpans
David, Son, 11, Scholar, Prestonpans
Agnes, Daughter, 9, Prestonpans
Isa, Daughter, 1, born Rutherglen, Lanarkshire.

This would seem to suggest that in 1891, James was an Unemployed Potter.
So by 1901, on this thread elsewhere, James had decided that he would
become a Grocer. Maybe pottery was not so popular and who knows.
Maybe the shop that James junior was working in, was bought over by James
Senior! 

Wilton Endeavour

[GinaC]

Hello everyone,

I am WE's cousin from the USA.  Thank you all so much in helping uncovering details of our family's history that has proven to help me uncover more information.

WE the reason that James was an unemployed potter is because according to family talk, a kiln exploded and he ended up becoming blind. So this explains the reasoning behind being a grocer.

Again, thank you everybody for your help.  Please keep the information coming - it has been very helpful and enlightening.   

Gina

[MonicaL]

Hi Gina

Hopefully when the Heritage Librarian, Zen, returns to work we can get some further details to add here.

Sad about James Snr and possible accident. Trying to now remember something, back of my head  Can anyone add any detail regarding details on disabilities, if any, that were added to census entries? I have seen this field on some census entries at the end of the columns, but not all images.

Monica

[Wilton Endeavour]

By 1911, the Buchanan family were still at 31 Castle Street.
 
James, 65, Head, Widowed, Grocer and Dairyman, Own Account.
David, 32, Son, Builder, Contractor.
Agnes, 29, Daughter, Shopkeeper, Dairy.
Isabella, 20, Daughter, Shopkeeper, Dairy, born Rutherglen.
John, 16, Grandson, Grocer, born Rutherglen. 
I presume "own account" means that James owns the shop and most of the family are shopworkers.
Isabella, James's wife must have died by 1911.

Wilton Endeavour

[anne_p]

Hi Wilton,
I know that Zen will help you in any way she can when she returns to work.
She is really nice.

[ayrgenes]

Monica, yes there is a column for blind, deaf, dumb etc on the census image. I have a couple on my families images. Don't know if they were all entered correctly though.

So we know where James snr was in 1911, where is James jnr at this time? If we've dated the photo correctly I assume that's James jnr at the shop, or is it?

davie

[ayrgenes]

another sleepless night, so been checking the MacDonalds Scottish Directories for our man/men:

16 Main St, Rutherglen is registered under Grocer/Spirit Dealers until 1940/41 to James Buchanan, then becomes Newsagent to A Aitken.

https://archive.org/stream/macdonaldsscot194041edin#page/714/mode/1up

225 King St, (I thought might be 2nd shop) changes from Jas  Buchanan in 1916/17 to Mrs Maggie Hendry, then J Clark in 1931.

There is also a confectioners mentioned at 43 New St, E Buchanan.

just to add to the mix....

davie

[GinaC]

Hi Monica,
I look forward in any information that Zen may supply.  It's like everyone is helping to find pieces of a puzzle - I can't wait to see the bigger picture. 

Hi Ayrgenes,
I'm not sure where James jnr is during 1911.  My access to census records are limited to 1891.  My relation to the family is my great grandfather Alexander and James jnr are brothers. Alexander moved to the USA with what seems to have been his girlfriend Annie MacLachlan.  It is said to believe that Alexander worked in a hotel in Scotland, but no one is sure when or where.

I thank everyone for your help.  I am having a blast in piecing all this information together.

Gina

[ayrgenes]

Hi Gina

an earlier post suggests James went to Dundee c1934? yet I see he's still down as shop keeper in R'glen till 1940. Would this be James snr, or jnr? see last post.

davie