RootsChat.Com
Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Dunbartonshire => Topic started by: griogair on Monday 04 June 07 13:28 BST (UK)
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Hi there,
I'm looking for any info on Thomsons in Duntocher. In particular any descendants of my gr-grandfather, John Thomson (b.1877 Duntocher) and gr-grandmother Catherine Muir (b. 1871 Alness, Ross-shire). They had at least 6 children, all born in Duntocher; Allan b. 1900, Isabella b.1902, Alexander b. 1904, Elizabeth b.1906, my grandfather John b.1907, and Robert b.1908. I also know that my dad had an Uncle Roger but I'm unsure if this is another brother or just a nickname for Robert.
The family moved between Duntocher and Hardgate between the early 1800s and the present. My dad still lives in Duntocher but is not aware of any living relations in the Duntocher area now.
Many thanks
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hi pal,
just browsing and noticed you had not had a reply yet...
john thomson was the son of allan thomson and elizabeth hunter.
allan thomson and elizabeth hunter were married 21/6/1875
allan thomson was born 22/9/1839, he was the son of john thomson and elizabeth laurie.
1841 census- yoker
john...age 35...maksser...born dumbartonshire
elizabeth...age 30...born shotts
peter...age 8...christened 21/6/1833
john...age 6
david...age 4...born 18/3/1837
allan...age 1
1851 census- 27 old street, duntocher
elizabeth...age 46
peter...age 17...cotton piecer
david...age 13...cotton piecer
allan...age 11
george...age 9...born 15/5/1842
1861 census- old street, duntocher
elizabeth...age 56
george...age 18...cotton spinner
1871 census- old street, duntocher
elizabeth...age 66
allan...age 31...iron works labourer
1881 census- old millbrae, jennyhome
allan...age 41...machine man in builder's yard
elizabeth...age 41
ann...age 5
john...age 4
1891 census- horn's land, village of hardgate
elizabeth...age 55
ann...age 16
john...age 14...spool builder
allan...lodger...age 19...riveter
elizabeth...lodger...age 10
1901 census- main road, horn's land
john...age 23...machinist finisher
catherine...age 23...born alness
allan...age 1
catherine muir, was the daughter of alexander muir and annie munro, she was born 19/9/1871 alness.
alexander munro was born glenmorrison, invernessshire, son of thomas and catherine fraser.
annie munro was the daughter of alexander munro and isabella maclean.
alexander and annie married in alness on the 8/9/1871.
catherine is working as a servant in the 1891 census, but here she is in an earlier census.
1881 census- coulhill, alness, ross & cromarty
alexander...age 52...carpenter...born glenmoriston c1829
catherine...age 9
isabella...age 7
alexander...age 4
great to have a wee bit of info next to his photo...
Joe
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hi pal,
looks like alexander muir got remarried in alness...
1891 census- coulhill, alness
alexander...age 61...carpenter
margaret..age 47
alexander...age 14
helen...age 9
elizabeth...age 5
margaret...age 1
1901 census- 56 coulhill lower street, alness
margaret...age 57
helen...age 19
elizabeth...age 14
margaret...age 11
Joe
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hi pal,
cannot find thomas muir and catherine fraser together in the census...
cannot find an extracted marriage date...
alexander muir born 18/1/1829
i think that alexander spents most of his life with the fraser's.
1841 census- cultie, boleskine & abertaff, inverness
alexander...age 60...farmer
catherine..age 45
catherine...age 20
simon...age 20
donald...age 15
william...age 11 months
alexander muir...age 11
1851 census- boleskine
alexander muir...age 22...labourer
catherine fraser...age 60...grandmother-in-law
william fraser...age 11...nephew
ann...age 8...niece
Joe
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hi there, just read your post tonite, my mother-in-law could be related to you. her father was robert thomson, known as "roger". all the other names you mention tie in, her name is delia mclachlan, please get in touch
cheers
lindy-lou
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hi again, wots ur dads name?? we live in hardgate so possible we might know him
lindy-lou
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Hi Lindy-Lou
Thanks for the info. I've just sent you a message - it should be in your inbox now.
Cheers
Griogair
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Hi,
I just noticed that in 1881 your family was at the Jenny House in Old Mill Brae. Here is a photo of the old place - it's gone now, I think there are condo's at the site now?? My Stewart family lived there as well. :)
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I forgot to mention - the lady in the picture is my Mother's cousin - Annie McBride. She's the daughter of James McBride and Emily McLure Stewart.
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Hi Debbie,
This is the best picture of the "Jenny/Gennie hoos" that I have seen.
I grew up in the flat in the background (9 Old St). My fathers uncle came over from Derry to check out the family history. They are also registered at this address. I have an older B&W photo of the house circa 1950. I will send this on to him if thats ok.
Do you have any more info on this place, from what I hear it wasnt a very nice place to stay.
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Hi Alan,
No, I don't really know troo much more about the Jenny House, except that my Stewarts lived there for many years. Of course it's OK for you to send this along to your great Uncle! Sharing is what we are all about here! :)
If you can upload the black and white photo you have, I'm sure all of us Duntocher researchers would love to see it!
Deb
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Hi Allan,
My Mother grew up in the Jenny 'hoose'. There were 14 kids in the family, and never a dull moment.
That's her niece (my cousin) sitting on the wall in front of it in the photo cousin Deb posted.
Helen
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Hi guys
Finally finished Uni and have started looking up my family tree.
Here is a pic of the gennie hoose on its last legs in 1965 taken from my old house at 9 old st.
My family that stayed there were named Rooney, not Coyle.
I am now staying back in the village, so if you need any photos or info from some of my older family members give me a shout
cheers
AC
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Hi guys
Finally finished Uni and have started looking up my family tree.
Here is a pic of the gennie hoose on its last legs in 1965 taken from my old house at 9 old st.
My family that stayed there were named Rooney, not Coyle.
I am now staying back in the village, so if you need any photos or info from some of my older family members give me a shout
cheers
AC
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Hi
Saw your picture on line my grandfather used to live there. Could you clear something up why was it called the jennie hoos?
Regards
Winniep
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Wonderful photo Allan, thank you so much. I grew up hearing about the Jenny Hoose, but the only photo I had was the one Deb posted. This one is so graphic, kind of sad, but lovely to have. Thanks for sharing,
Helen
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Hi
Not sure how it was pronounced or spelled. It could have been full of daddy long legs ("Jeeny" long legs) or an old tale of a Genie from a lamp, or could have housed a woman called Jean ??
Its an amazing part of the village still, you can walk down the old st(Burnbrea, cobbles still visible) and see the old mill in ruins at the bottom. Not much left of it but the huge tunnel the burn runs under gives an idea of the scale of the origional mill. Once a very important part of the community.
"Duntocher Mill spanned the Duntocher Burn to the north of the Great Western Road Bridge. It was built in 1786 for the manufacture of coarse woollens, but it did not prosper and was unoccupied when William Dunn purchased it in 1808. Dunn converted it to produce cotton goods but, like his other mills, it ran into trouble in the 1860s when supplies of raw cotton dried up during the American Civil War. It continued under different owners, making yarn and thread until the 1920s."
I would imagine the Genny Houses were built for the workers of this mill or the Iron works situated at the other end of Burnbrea.
I will get on to My old Granda who has a wealth of local knowledge.
Speak to you soon
AC
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thanks allan
I know exactly where you are talking about as I live in the village, it would be interesting to know anything as I am working on my family tree at the moment
and any information would be appreiciated
Regards
Winniep :)
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The building lay derelict for years and was more officially known as old Mill Lodge.
The Farmer used it for many years for storing potatoes.
This info was from my grandfather William John Connelly, who also knows the woman in the photograph, Annie McBride. He was good pals with a "Birdy" Mcbride who he believes was her slightly younger brother.
He mentioned she moved to davies square.
Could you clear up the real name of "Birdie" McBride ?
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Hi Allan,
James McBride was indeed known as "Birdie", I have no idea why, but I'll try to find out.
I wonder how many other people from my family your grandfather might remember. Annie & James were my 1st cousins from my mother's side - Stewarts (a pretty big family!!).
Helen
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Hi there. I had a lovely surprise last week when I discovered you were tracing the family tree.
I am John Thomson and Catherine Muir's grandaughter, daughter of Robert Thomson. I am also Catherine Muir. My mother and father lived all their married lives in Hardgate with their four daughters still living in Hardgate and nearby.
I remember my Grandpa Thomson very well. I have many happy memories visiting his home in Beeches Avenue and Morrison Street in Duntocher. My Gradpa worked in John Browns shipyard until he retired. Unfortunately I was only six months old when my Grandmother died. I have often wondered about the Muirs in Alness. I am sure there must be cousins or second cousins still staying there. I knew most of my fathers brothers and sisters except Isabella who lived a distance away and Elizabeth who lived abroad. Thank you for all the research you have done, it brings back a lot of memories. If I can help you in any way about the family background please ask.
Regards
Rena Barron
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Hi Rena,
It's really great to hear from you. I am Greg John Thomson. I live in in the Isle of Skye but my dad, John, is still in Duntocher/Hardgate, in Antonine Gardens, just behind Fallone's. He had a sister, Helen or Eleanor, who died in 1994. They are the children of John Thomson, your dad's brother. My grandparents lived all of their married life in Auchentoshan Avenue. My Auntie Eleanor lived at the corner of Beeches Road and Beeches Terrace. I have birth, death and marriage certificates and a Thomson family tree going back to 1770 if you don't have any of this already. I've had to piece together all of my info from scratch as my dad isn't really into family history. I also have a few Thomson photographs that you may be interested in. I've also just remembered that I think I have an original certificate or document that has your dad's name on it - I'll look it out for you - if my memory serves me right it's a policy taken out by your grandparents when your dad was born. I have no idea how I managed to come into possession of it! You may have seen the other group photos that I posted on this website a few years ago of what appears to be the Hardgate Quoiting club featuring my Granda T and his brothers. I can send you higher resolution copies if they are of interest. I also have a copy of an article about your Grampa Thomson/my great-grampa Thomson that featured in the Clydebank Press in the late 50s. I can send you this also if you don't have it. The one question I would like to ask you is do you have a photograph of your Granny Thomson or have you ever seen one of her? She is the one person in my family tree who I would really love to see a photo of. Or any other photos of your Grampa Thomson? I only have one proper photo of him and a very very grainy copy of the photograph that appeared with his article in the Clydebank Press. I'd love to hear of any info that you have on the Thomsons.
Very best wishes,
Greg
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Hi Greg
Thank you for your recent post.
You were saying your Dad stayed in Antonine Gardens. I remember my Mother and Father attending your parents wedding. I also remember your Aunt Eleanor. I am sure when my own Mum and Dad got married my Father lived in Carleith Avenue and my Mother lived in Beeches Avenue. I went to school at Duntocher Primary and then Clydebank High.
My Father went to Hardgate Quioting club all his adult life until it finished up. I don't have any of the photographs or certificates you have mentioned. I would be grateful if you could send copies to me. I don't have any photos of Great Granny Thomson. I am sure the relations came down to visit from Alness. I am sure there must be some relations still there. My Grandparents had a lot of Grandchildren. There must be a lot of offspring around. There is still a cousin in Beeches Avenue. My Fathers sister, Catherine's daughter. I will try to find out, maybe she could have photographs.
You are living in Skye, have you been there a long time? It must be nice and peaceful there. If you come down to visit your Dad you are welcome to visit me. I live in Linvale, Clydebank.
Best Regards
Rena
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Hi Rena,
Sorry to have taken so long to reply to you. It was really lovely to hear from you. I will gather together what I can for you - photos, documents, etc.
It would be great to find out some more about any relatives in Alness who might still be around. It is only a couple of hours away from me by car so if I can find some time in the new year I will maybe go over and see if there is any local information I can find.
I'll hopefully be coming down to Duntocher and Clydebank sometime in the New Year so it would be great to meet you then if possible. I would also love to meet Catherine's daughter in Duntocher if that was possible. I know that Catherine and my gran were good friends. I don't think I've ever met anyone from my granda's extended family so it would be really nice to meet you.
I see what you mean about your grandparents having a lot of grandchildren. From my family tree I can see that there were at least 20 grandchildren, who will nearly all have grandchildren themselves now.
Also I had a question for you. In a newspaper article I have on your grandpa Thomson it states that he had 4 boys and 4 girls. I have only been able to trace the 4 boys (Allan, Alex, John and Robert) and 3 of the girls (Isabella, Elizabeth and Catherine). You wouldn't happen to know the name of the other daughter? It's been puzzling me for a while.
Anyway I'll see what info I can find for you that you may be interested in.
Best wishes,
Greg
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ANNIE MCBRIDE IS MY AUNT. SHE WAS MY FATHER JAMES MCBRIDE SISTER.
I am new to this site and trying to find my way around. Correct James and Ann McBride are my parents. Did you know that Aunt Annie passed away last year? What country do you live in?
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Hi Joan, lovely to hear from you. :) My mother, Chrissie Stewart was your granny Emily Stewart's younger sister. So you are the daughter of James & Ann - correct?
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You are right Helen. James and Ann McBride are my parents
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Sorry to hear about Annie.
I'm in Australia, and I'm guessing that you are in Canada? My info is that James & Ann moved to Ontario, is that correct? Debbie (she posted the pic of Annie McBride) is in B.C. We are both working on the Stewart family tree so don't be surprised if we try to pick your brains later. ;D
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Helen
You are right our family settled in Ontario. Our Aunt Annie was the last member of the McBride Family. She died just 8 days after her 92nd birthday. I spoke with her the day before she died.
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Would you mind giving me the exact date of her death for my family files please? I did write to her once or twice, that was after Pat died, but sadly let time go by without any more letters.
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Hi Joan,
i am Debbie - Gretta Coyle's daughter. So now I know why I didn't receive a Christmas Card from Annie this year. I was afraid that she had passed, but didn't know who I could contact to find out. I am really thrilled to see you found us here in the Rootschat. :)
(Thanks Helen for telling me to come look at this thread!)
Joan, are you in Ontario? Helen and I have been working on the Stewart's for years, but we don't have too much on your Dad, or the rest of the McBrides, but what we do have, we are happy to share with you.
I have so many fond remembrances of Annie and Pat. Singing the Who - I can see for miles and miles... Pat and I laughing and doing all the actions to that song. Lunches in her spectacular garden in the Kent sunshine. Visiting Canterbury Cathedral and having Pat act as the best guide ever. Flora and Johnny McLafferty with their big smiles and lovely nature.
Yes, lots of really wonderful memories. I am sure there are photos of us all together somewhere in my albums.
Over the years, I shared a lot of the family history with Annie, she loved it when I would send some old pictures or info on family we were in touch with over the internet. 92 was a grand age to attain though, but I'm sad to see Annie gone. :'(
Joan, can you let me have the exact details on Annie's passing? I want to let Annie Coyle in Hawaii, and Tony Coyle know.
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What a lovely post Deb, I almost felt like I was in Kent with you. :)
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Helen
Aunt Annie passed away last June 19,2014 at the age of 92. She had just turned 92 on her birthday which was June 11.
JOAN
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Thank you very much for that info Joan, it is greatly appreciated. :)