Need Help - Regarding Donaldsons College for the Deaf

Marion J. Kuhn · Post by **Marion J. Kuhn** » Sat May 26, 2007 5:26 pm

I have been trying for approx 4 years to get information from Donaldson's College for the Deaf in Edinburgh regarding my Grt Grandmother who was there at age 10 in 1881 with no luck.

I have written them slow mail twice and e mail at least three times and have had absolutely no response. Latest being approx 3 weeks ago - no response!

Anyone have any idea how I might find records regarding my great grandmother at Donaldson's or know who I might write who might be able to find such records?

Would appreciate any help

Marion

eilthireach · Post by **eilthireach** » Sat May 26, 2007 5:59 pm

Donaldson's is in the midst of a major relocation from Edinburgh to Linlithgow and I suspect that such a major disruption would tend to put genealogical enquiries somewhere near the bottom of the pile - that is, even if they had anyone on staff who might be able to handle such queries. It is only very recently (March 2007) that they appointed a new head teacher.

See http://www.donaldsons-coll.edin.sch.uk/aboutus.htm (for its history)

and

http://www.donaldsons-coll.edin.sch.uk/newcoll.htm (for info on the new college being built in Linlithgow)

Alcluith · Post by **Alcluith** » Sun May 27, 2007 10:54 am

Marion,

Most of the records for the College are at the National Library of Scotland. I also had relations who attended the College and the Library curator was very helpful.
In my case there was a great deal of information available but I needed to visit to get it.
The Curator will be able to give you an idea of what is available which I am sure will help you to make up your mind how to proceed. If you cannot attend yourself you may need to arrange for someone to visit on your behalf.

I will not post the Cutator's name or email address on the web but if you send me a private message I can send you contact details by return.

rgds

Drew Davidson

Marion J. Kuhn · Post by **Marion J. Kuhn** » Sun May 27, 2007 1:46 pm

Thank you so much for your responses.
I was aware that the College was in the long process of relocating. But still thought maybe a response to my mail would be nice! I only asked how I might proceed to get the info I needed not for them to actually do it. Oh well....

And thank you for the info on the National Library possibly having what I might need. I'll contact you privately for the details.

Ann Wells · Post by **Ann Wells** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:44 pm

HI

Donaldson's seems to have been used for several purposes as well as a school for deaf children. My late father in law was left there with his brother when their widowed mother could not cope with them in the 1920's. By all accounts it was a tough place to be. However, even though he developed Dementia in later years he never forgot how to sign language.

Ann

Post by **HeatherH** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 3:43 am

I read an article somewhere online a while back when I found one of my rellies there. I thought it was strange she was never listed on a census as being deaf . the Article said that the school wasn't just for deaf children though that was its main focus and the reason for the school .It also talked about admitting children with the surname Donaldson though obviously others were admitted. I would be interested in reading more on the school and perhaps getting a look at the school records. Hopefully they still exist.
HeatherH

Ann Wells · Post by **Ann Wells** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 6:55 am

Heather

As I actually live in Edinbugh I intend to take a trip up to the National Library as soon as possible to ask about the records. If you give me the name of your relative and the date he/ she was there I'll take a look if you like.

Ann

Marion J. Kuhn · Post by **Marion J. Kuhn** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 12:59 pm

Thanks for your responses.

Donaldsons does have a web site - can be found pretty fast on google. Never knew that it was a poor house per se or just for kids with the name Donaldsons. I do know that apparently they don't have the records there but at the Library. My grt grandmother was always listed on every census as deaf and dumb.

My grt grandmother's name was Janet B. Innes - she was 10 in the 1881 census which shows her residing at Donaldson's as a scholar. I don't know how long she was there - but by the time she was 21 she was living with her aunty.

Thanks Ann for the offer.

Marion

Post by **HeatherH** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 5:56 am

Hi there,
This is what the online encyclopedia has on Donaldsons......
Donaldson's College was founded in 1851 as Donaldson's Hospital by Sir James Donaldson (1751 - 1830). The original benefaction allowed for special bursaries for poor children bearing the name Donaldson. Not all were deaf, although applications on behalf of deaf children were encouraged. From 1938 pupils were exclusively deaf. This benefaction was similar in style to the benefaction of George Watson, who founded and supported other schools in the city.
Very interesting reading.
HeatherH