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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Renfrewshire => Topic started by: AbroadintheYard on Saturday 02 February 13 23:28 GMT (UK)
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The true story of 7 boys from Greenock, who stowed away in the ship 'Arran’ bound for Quebec in 1868. On discovering the boys in the ship's hold, the captain and first mate subjected them to the most brutal treatment during the voyage, then put them ashore on the ice fields of Newfoundland and left them to their fate.
http://www.abroadintheyard.com/tragic-arran-stowaways-1868/ (http://www.abroadintheyard.com/tragic-arran-stowaways-1868/)
You may recognise some of the names and addresses of the time.
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Thank you for posting this story. John Paul was my Great Great Grandfather. I have been researching my family tree on and off for about 7 years. My father, was named after his Great Grandfather and used to tell us this true story when we were children. It's such a sad tragic story but also one of such bravery and strength. I am proud to be a descendant of John Paul.
I would love to connect with any family members and I would also love to find more information on this story. If anyone has any information, please contact me.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Nancy
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Nancy, I read this a while back on the online archive of the Greenock Telegraph at the Watt Library.
http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/education-and-learning/libraries/local-and-family-history/family-history/
Skoosh.
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Hi Skoosh,
Thank you for that information. I'm actually in America, my father moved to the states in 1958. I did live in England for about 5 years - in which that is when I started doing my family tree project. I wish I did live back over there because I didn't have as much info back then as I do now and I would love to be able to spend time researching right there in Scotland.
I've mostly used Scotlandspeople website for all my help. Great website but costly. I do have a full world membership with Ancestry but don't have much luck finding info on there. I did find some living relatives so that was worth the membership cost. I'm hoping to find more.
I just did the DNA project a couple of months ago and not really sure what to expect from that just yet. Still learning what it all means, etc.
The Paul family was a very large family and we now live all over the world. I really do enjoy working on the tree but i'm now at a point where I keep hitting brick walls.
The story of the Greenock Stowaways is one of the things that I try to find more information on. There was a huge court case about it but only can find certain info on the court case online.
It's exciting and I love every minute of it. Hopefully I will get back over to Scotland so I can do some more research.
Thank you for your information. Much appreciated.
Nancy
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Nancy, Black's "Surnames of Scotland" has Paul as a name of considerable antiquity in the parish of Daviot also found in the parish of Fintry, 1654.
Found also in the Lothians & Fife where it is considered, by family tradition to be of Flemish origin, which he doubts.
Robert Paul, councillor, Stirling, 1528.
Patrick Paule, witness, Tuliboill? 1546.
Janet Paule, Edinburgh, 1659.
Alexander Paull, mercator, Elgin, 1696.
Gaelic form MacPhail, also Polson.
Skoosh.
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HI Skoosh,
Thats interesting information. I haven't come across that before. I'm struggling to find some records in the 1700's and wow you have info earlier than that. It would be nice to find a connection. Robert and Alexander are very common names in my family that have been carried on for generations. Thanks for your help.
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Nancy, have you tried the national archives, http://www.nas.gov.uk/onlineCatalogue
Skoosh.
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Nancy, have you tried the national archives, http://www.nas.gov.uk/onlineCatalogue
Skoosh.
Many years ago I did but actually haven't been on that for some time now. Going to check it out again. Thank you.
My brick wall is trying to find John Paul (stowaway) his grandparents. They were:
John Paul born abt 1801 married Margaret Hamilton born abt. 1808 both born in Ireland???? (can't find anything in Scotland and a census record shows Margaret born in Ireland.)
Married in Ireland or Scotland? about 1834?
Children:
James born about 1830 perhaps in Ireland?
Robert born about 1835 in Greenock Scotland? (John Paul stowaway - his dad is Robert)
Robert died in 1911 in Lochgoilhead, Scotland. (have this info but can't find birth)
I'm sure there are more children but struggling with finding them without the rest of the info.
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Hi Nancy,
I'm also descended from one of the stowaways; David Brand who was my great great grandfather also.
Yes, I agree whole heartedly that it was a sad tragic story but also one of such bravery and strength.
I was contacted some years back by a lady who was also a great grand-daughter of John "wee Pauly" Paul. I will PM or email you the details.
Libby
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Hi Nancy,
I'm also descended from one of the stowaways; David Brand who was my great great grandfather also.
Yes, I agree whole heartedly that it was a sad tragic story but also one of such bravery and strength.
HI Libby,
So nice to hear from another descendant. :) I so agree with you about the story being of bravery and strength. I remind myself that all time when things get a bit rough. I am always saying to family members that we get our strength from our GG-Grandfather John. It's a proud feeling to know that he survived and I am here today because of that.
I got your PM and wrote back. Thank you again.
Nancy
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Nancy, if you are still here on the site, John Paul is my great great grandfather.
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HI There,
Just got your message. Would love to chat with you.
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HI There,
Just got your message. Would love to chat with you. I have a facebook family tree page. Just look up PaulFamilyTree on facebook and you should find it. :)
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Hi Nancy, just got your message and added you to FB (I think)... It looked about right at least. John (stowaway) had a son, Robert, who had several children (mum can recount names better than me). One of those children was Lilian (Lily to friends and family). Lily was my nan, she had 2 children, my mum and my uncle.
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I'd love to join your FB group too. I sent a request to your page (pretty sure it's the right one).
I also received an email from a Faye who said: could pop them (Nancy or the other Paul relative) a message to say another family member had surfaced. Also you all may find a book by my 2nd cousin interesting
I've read The Brats. Great book. Very true to life I think.
Libby
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Hi all, my cousin's husband was related to one of these boys I will have to try and find out which one. I know he said the boys who survived were given special watches as a sort of 'compensation' for what they went through.
Claire
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Hi all, my cousin's husband was related to one of these boys I will have to try and find out which one. I know he said the boys who survived were given special watches as a sort of 'compensation' for what they went through.
Claire
Hi Claire
Would love to know when you find out.
Libby
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HI Claire,
I would love to learn more too. My GG Grandfather was John Paul. Please get in touch. (Hi Libby) :) :)
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http://www.scottishlegal.com/2017/01/05/fascinating-story-of-arran-stowaways-told-in-new-graphic-novel/
https://www.scotsman.com/news/the-arran-stowaways-thrown-off-a-ship-in-newfoundland-1-4305151
two different articles relating to this event
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Thank you for sharing the links. When the book came out I was able to get in contact with the author Paul and he was so wonderful in connecting me with some copies for my family. I am ever so grateful to Paul for bringing this story 'back to life'. Paul was surprised at how many descendants there are that care so much about their 'little stowaway' GG-grandfather, John Paul.
I have been able to find a few relatives that I didn't know about because of this. Still looking for more :)
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Hi all, my cousin's husband was related to one of these boys I will have to try and find out which one. I know he said the boys who survived were given special watches as a sort of 'compensation' for what they went through.
Claire
Hi Claire
Have you found out who your cousin's husband was related to?
You may be interested to know that the Bay St. George South Historical Society (www.facebook.com/groups/BSGSHistoricalSociety/) are having a Commemoration on the weekend of 19 May 2018 in Newfoundland for the loss and rescue of the boys, as it will be the 150 years anniversary.
The 150 year commemoration is also mentioned in this article:
www.thewesternstar.com/news/historical-society-to-commemorate-150-year-old-lifesaving-event-in-highlands-188677
regards
Libby
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Hi all,
I am also a descendant. David Brand was my Great Great Grandfather (I think. There might be another great in there). I'm actually a playwright and I'm looking to write this story up as a play. I'd love to chat to all of you to hear what you've found out about the story; I want it to be as true to fact as possible.
Rachel
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Hi all,
I am also a descendant. David Brand was my Great Great Grandfather (I think. There might be another great in there). I'm actually a playwright and I'm looking to write this story up as a play. I'd love to chat to all of you to hear what you've found out about the story; I want it to be as true to fact as possible.
Rachel
Hi Rachel
I think I might see you in August if you're going to be at Murrumbateman for David & Jo's wedding anniversary.
Libby
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Hi all, it's been ages since I was here last! There have been several news pieces on the story lately, which has been fantastic. In addition to what can be gleaned from the Greenock Telegraph, there is the book The Brats by Tony Paul, the new comic version plus I think there was a book on seafaring tales. The original papers would be a good place to start researching...
Nancy has a Facebook page for the Arran Stowaway descendents which would be well worth joining if you use facebook.
Faye
XxxX
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Hi all,
I am also a descendant. David Brand was my Great Great Grandfather (I think. There might be another great in there). I'm actually a playwright and I'm looking to write this story up as a play. I'd love to chat to all of you to hear what you've found out about the story; I want it to be as true to fact as possible.
Rachel
Hi Rachel
I think I might see you in August if you're going to be at Murrumbateman for David & Jo's wedding anniversary.
Libby
Hi Libby,
I will be there! I’d love to chat with you about all of this if that’s okay.
Rachel