6 Walmer Crescent, Glasgow

Lorrih · Post by **Lorrih** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:27 pm

Hi
A stab in the dark here but i have found two of my relatives married at this address in 1890. They lived in quite a poor area in the 1891 census so im trying to work out how they managed to get married here as I believe it was rich people housing back then (defo not now!!). Im wondering if perhaps they worked for them as in the 1891 census my ggmother was a housekeeper.
Cant find anything on this address so any help would be fantastic
Thanks
Lorraine

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:07 pm

Hi Lorriane
This gives a little info:

Nineteenth Century

Walmer Crescent represents the first of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson’s Glasgow tenement blocks. Numbers 1-18 Walmer Crescent were constructed from 1857-1858 with the tenement blocks on Cessnock Street completed later in 1862. A similar block to Harley Street has been demolished.

Originally set in open fields, the Crescent was occupied by rich city merchants. From the 1870’s onwards the remainder of the area was developed as tenement housing, in a conventional style.

This area fell within the Kinning Burgh which was created in 1871.

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/ ... ENTrtf.rtf

and some background and good images here:
http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/ ... t28706.pdf

In 1881 this is who was living there:
Dwelling: 6 Walmer Crescent

Agnes JAMESON U 37, Head, Occupation: Interest On Money
Margaret P. JAMESON U 35 , Sister, Occupation: Interest On Money
Robert POLLOCK U 55, Uncle, Retired Major Militia
Walter Whyte POLLOCK U 56 , Uncle, Writer
Margaret P. WHYTE W 57 , Visitor, Propritrix
Margaret CAMERON U 26 , Cook
Annie MC KAY U 19 , Servant, House And Table Maid

Best wishes
Lesley

WilmaM · Post by **WilmaM** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:11 pm

I take it you know that Walmer Ces is a listed building by a somewhat famous architect - 'Greek' Thompson probably.

It is behind a row of shops on Paisley Road West in the Ibrox area of Glasgow [ in Govan back then] between Cessnock Street and Harley street.

The Cessnock Subway [undergound railway] Station is under the East end of the crescent. and the part of the building above that was a hotel.

I'm going from memory here but I can't remember what it's name would have been....

I was born and grew up on a street opposite Cessnock Street so can picture it - grey peeling paint in the 70's then it went on fire I believe but being part of such an important place it needed restored!

They could very well have been married in the hotel, or in the minister's home.

Did it say what number the house was? was it thier address on the certificate? These could give a clue.

WilmaM · Post by **WilmaM** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:53 pm

Silly me - didn't read the title!

they were at number 6 !

According to my Dad and his trusty Kelly's directory, there was an 'Ibrox Restraunt' at number 1 in the 1970's but he does remember there being a hotel there at some stage - before his time.

So it doesn't look as if the hotel was the place in question.

Post by **SarahND** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:21 pm

Hi Lorraine,
Welcome to Talking Scot! [talkingscot]

Here are the inhabitants in 1891:

6 Walmer Cresct, Govan, Lanarkshire
Agnes Andrew, 50, Wife, born Stirling, Stirlingshire
Agnes Mca Andrew, 20, Daur, born Busby, Renfrewshire
John R Andrew, 18, Son, born Busby, Renfrewshire, Hosiers Assistant
Alexr S Andrew, 15, Son, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scholar
Helen D Andrew, 13, Daur, born Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scholar
Lily Linden, 21, Servant, born Edinburgh, Midlothian, General Servant
Catherine Burness, 55, Visitor, born Montrose, Forfarshire, Living On Private Means
John Laidlaw, 58, Visitor, born Edinburgh, Midlothian, Professor of Theology

Were they married by the professor of Theology?!

There are also 5 or 6 households at 6 Walmer Terrace

All the best,
Sarah

WilmaM · Post by **WilmaM** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:43 pm

SarahND wrote:Theology

There are also 5 or 6 households at 6 Walmer Terrace

The Terrace was just 'ordinary' tenement buildings on the other side of what is now Paisley Road West, with at least 6 houses on 3 floors.

The virtual Mitchell has an old photo of them both: http://www.mitchelllibrary.org/virtualm ... =2&t=4&x=1

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:05 am

Hello Lorraine,

In the Glasgow Herald, Tuesday, March 28, 1893 there’s a letter from an Alexander Andrew, Minister, 6 Walmer Crescent, Glasgow, referring to his “pastoral rounds” and asking that a plot of vacant land be preserved as a park for children to play in etc.

Was he the one who did the job?

Alan

Post by **SarahND** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:17 am

Hi Alan,
That must be the missing head of household in the 1891 census. Don't know if it was the Ancestry transcription or whether he was actually not at home on the night. I'd be willing to bet he performed the ceremony. Nice find!

Sarah

Wee Ann · Post by **Wee Ann** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:38 am

What memories were brought back with the mention of Walmer Crescent. My first job on leaving school (Lambhill Street), was in the Co-operative shoe shop in the row of shops in front of the crescent. (I always thought it looked quite posh!)
I was employed as a junior, and was responsible for sweeping, mopping, cleaning the large front window and occasionally was allowed to serve a customer.
I was also required to go to the head office which was at the main store in Bridge Street, and to the warehouse to pick up special orders, and I cannot for the life of me remember where that was.
Sorry for jumping in on your post, but it just struck a chord with me.
Regards
Ann

Lorrih · Post by **Lorrih** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:22 am

Mystery solved! They were married by an A Andrew so that must have been the ministers house.
Thanks so much for all your help
Lorraine