Dumbarton Poorhouse records.....

Lahb · Post by **Lahb** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 12:18 am

I have a gggrandfather - John McFarlane who died in the poorhouse here

John McFarlane - pauper - (formerly tailor journeyman) widow of Jane Davie - died January 12, 1876, age 70 years at the combinaiton poorhouse dumbarton - cause of death paralysis, informant son Andrew McFarlane - according to his death certificate.

I understand the poorhouse records often have some interesting information and his cause of death certainly peaks the curiosity. I tried contacting the Dumbartonshire Archives to see if such a record exists (I'm in Canada so it's all online for me

) Eventually they responded that their records didn't start until 1897.

Now, I'm a little confused as I've seen several sources - including the scottish records association - that indicate their records go from 1861-1954 . Does anyone know if records for 1876 are available and if so from where? Thanks for any suggestions, Lisa

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:50 am

Lisa,
Try this site for a list of the poorhouses in Scotland -
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~peter/workhouse/ ... tland.html
Catherine

TD

Lahb · Post by **Lahb** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 4:03 am

Hi Catherine, yes I have seen that site before but thanks for trying

This site was one of the places I was refering to as listing the archives records as being in existance from 1861-1954. The link from this site leads to the Dumbartonshire Archives and they've said the records don't begin until 1897 - that is where my quandry is - several sources say they are in existance and located at the Archives, yet the Archives have told me otherwise

. Appreciate the effort though! Lisa

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:12 am

Lahb wrote:Hi Catherine, yes I have seen that site before but thanks for trying This site was one of the places I was refering to as listing the archives records as being in existance from 1861-1954. The link from this site leads to the Dumbartonshire Archives and they've said the records don't begin until 1897 - that is where my quandry is - several sources say they are in existance and located at the Archives, yet the Archives have told me otherwise . Appreciate the effort though! Lisa

Hello Lisa,

The Mitchell Library in Glasgow store the applications.

I'll have a look next time I'm there.

Annette M

Lahb · Post by **Lahb** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 6:36 am

Hi Annette, that would be most appreciated! I didn't realise they were all stored there, for some reason I thought only specific ones, such as Glasgow were located at the Mitchell. That is very kind of you to offer, Lisa

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:48 pm

Lahb wrote:Hi Annette, that would be most appreciated! I didn't realise they were all stored there, for some reason I thought only specific ones, such as Glasgow were located at the Mitchell. That is very kind of you to offer, Lisa

Hello Lisa,

Haven't been to the Mitchell yet but I wanted to check the info I found on the IGI. Were John's parents Andrew and Isabella Sage?

Annette M

Lahb · Post by **Lahb** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 1:15 am

Hi Annette, it is possible! On John's death certificate (which the informant was his son Andrew) Father is listed as Andrew McFarlane, Mason - journeyman (deceased) and mother is listed as "unknown". That's one reason I was hoping to find the poorhouse record, to see if any reference is made to his parents.

I have seen that IGI reference before and have made note of the other siblings from this family - but I have yet to venture beyond John to date. I'm having trouble finding him in the 1871 census so that is my next "goal" as his death isn't until 1876. I do have him in the 1861 census living with his wife Jane (died 1868 Dumbarton, Dumbarton - address where she died is listed as 63 High St - John himself was the informant, listed as living at 144 High St.) and daughter Helen age 21. John is listed as being born in Renfrewshire Pt Glasgow on this census.

Thanks for asking, Lisa

Post by **joette** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:01 pm

Just to let you know that the Dumbarton Poorhouse became the Joint Hospital & is where my Grandfather died in 1943.There was still the "whiff" of the Poorhouse about it & people were slighlty ashamed to have rellies die there as if they were indeed inmates rather than patients.
My Father was a young teenager at the time & told everyone that his Dad had died in Erskine Hospital rather than theJoint as he was a WW1 veteran & the gas hastened his end.
Incidentally the Joint is still there although dont know if it is the original Poorhouse but it certainly looks like it could be.Passed it on the way to Helensburgh in the summer.

Duplicate post deleted - AndrewP - TalkingScot AG

christine 1952 · Post by **christine 1952** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 2:37 pm

my grandfather died in dumbarton poorhouse in 1944 , i belive they have a complete list of inmates
i wrote direct to dumbarton council and they sent me a copy of the entry and also the record of his death
its worth a go
love christine

Alcluith · Post by **Alcluith** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:42 pm

The Poor House and the Joint Hospital were two different buildings in different parts of Dumbarton built at different times.
The Poor house became a home for the elderly but because it was known as the poor house, they would not go into it. It was eventually pulled down and replaced with another nursing home. The Joint Hospital still stands but ,as Joette said, it looks like a poor house.

LAHB I will try to call into the library this weekend and find out what records they have for the Poorhouse and ask why their site says they have 1861 to 1954 if they don't. I can have a look in the 1871 census for you at the same time

rgds

Drew