Cardross (Subscription) Library Geilstown c 1837

[Tgapitbull]

Pigots Directory for 1837 has a Donald KEITH, Librarian Cardross, (Subscription) Geilstown.

Can anyone tell me exactly where this library might have been located and any information about this private library.

I have contacted the Argyll & Bute Library Service who are not able to assist.

Any information appreciated.

Regards
Wendy

[Istrice]

Wendy,

There is a Geilston House in Cardross, I think owned or maintained by the National Trust for Scotland.  They will have information on the history of the house and whether it had any association with a subscription library.  Failing that, Dumbarton Library might be a better bet than Argyll and Bute for your queries.

Cardross was for decades within the County of Dunbartonshire, and from 1975 until 1995 a part of Dunbarton District.  Only after local authority reorganisation in 1995 was Cardross subsumed into Argyll and Bute Council area.

Regards
Istrice

[MonicaL]

Doesn't help re location or details of library but I saw there was only one Duncan Keith showing in the 1841 census in Cardross. This Donald Keith, aged 45-49, however, showed as an agricultural labourer in the household of John Davie, a contractor in Geilstone (as indexed).

As mentioned by Istrice, some details on Geilston House here www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/record/rcahms/141629/cardross-geilston-house/rcahms

Monica

[Tgapitbull]

Thanks Istrice and Monica for your postings with information and link re Geilston House.  I have sent an email to the National Trust for Scotland to see if they have any information.

Monica - the Donald KEITH that you mention from the 1841 census could be Donald KEITH who was born on 1 November 1793 in Cardross, s/o Donald KEITH (b c 1770 Bonhill) and Ann ALEXANDER.  (b 1781 Cardross).  All the KEITH children were born/baptised in Cardross between 1789 - 1806.  The children were:

Ann KEITH born 1789 (died young?)
George KEITH bap 1790
Christian (F) KEITH born 1792
Donald KEITH born 1793
Margaret KEITH born 1795
John KEITH bap 1797 (died young?)
Janet KEITH born 1799
Ann KEITH bap 1801
Mary Smith KEITH bap 1804
John KEITH bap 1806

Wendy

[MonicaL]

Hi Wendy

Are you connected or trying to connect with this Keith family?

Monica

[Tgapitbull]

Hi Monica,

I am researching the KEITH family - Janet is my 2 x gg grandmother.  She married Andrew Craig, Joiner in 1825.

I am interested in this Donald KEITH to see if he is related.  I know very little about the KEITH family and was interested that this Donald KEITH was a Librarian for a private library, hence my original posting about the library and its location.  Librarian is not a usual occupation within the extended family.

I am currently looking for KEITH/CRAIG in the Cardross/Bonhill area.

Wendy