Baldovan, Gartloch and Balfron

[emamc]

Iam trying to find the burial place of my Grandmother's sister Martha Brown McSporran who died on 23.02.12. On her death record it's is recorded that she was a boarded-out patient and is described as an imbecile. He guardian appears to be an Agnes Laurence. She was born on 27 July 1885 and was taken from her home in Glasgow to Baldovan Institute in Dundee on 9th December 1895. On 18 July 1906 she she was removed to Gartloch Hospital, and on 18th March she was boarded out with a Miss Agnes Cameron in Buchanan Street, Balfron. It is recorded that her father fought the school board for her but eventually had to give her up, she was taken away from a family who could have cared for her, and I am not sure if they ever saw her again. My Grandmother, her sister was born in 1895 and she never knew her. I find it sad that she was living with strangers, working as a farm labourer when her family were not a million miles away in Dumbarton.

I read about Baldovan, which was the first institute in Scotland, where they were trying to educate and train their children, but Martha could have had such a better life with her family who loved her. Three times the education department came for her and wore her father Matthew down. He said 'Were it not for the school board troubling me I would not part with her. She is not destructive or troublesome and is of clean habits.

Any information about where she may be buried, or where to look would be appreciated.

[emamc]

A quick update - I have joined a forum for Balfron and a very nice person contacted me with lots of information on the family that Martha was living with when she died. They suggested that she would be buried in the pauper's part of the cemetery in the village. I contacted Stirling Council who have the records for the cemetery and there is no record of Martha being buried there, so I am at a loss. I will try Glasgow as it was Barony parish who paid for her and who took 20/- a week from her father for her keep.

What I can not understand however is why she was not released into the care of her own family instead of strangers where she worked as a farm labourer. Her mother died about 3 years after she was taken to Baldovan and she would have had a good life looking after her father. I received her admittance record from Baldovan and under condition is said: 'Bronchitis and Myopia' - which I don't think were the full story - I think she may have just been a bit slow. I feel the whole thing a bit sad and would love to be able to acknowledge her by finding her grave and placing flowers.

[Currie]

Hello Emamc,

Sorry I can't help with the burial but thought you may be interested in the Baldovan report from Parliamentary Papers around the date of her admission.


1897 [C.8573] Thirty-ninth annual report of the General Board of Commissioners in lunacy for Scotland.

BALDOVAN INSTITUTION,
11th March 1896.

There are 53 boys and 27 girls resident as pupils in the institution at this date. Two boys and 2 girls are private boarders, the rest are maintained by parish councils. Since last visit 9 boys and 3 girls have been admitted, 3 boys and 2 girls have left, and 4 boys and 1 girl have died. One of the deaths is registered as due to marasmus, and the others as due to pulmonary and enteric tuberculosis.

The impression produced by the visit to-day was very pleasing. Miss Butter continues full of interest in her duties, and shows herself to be admirably suited for them. She evidently does not spare herself in her work, and under the competent and careful guidance of Dr Greig the institution is steadily increasing in usefulness.

The feeding and clothing of the children receive very careful attention. The clothing attracted special notice by the way in which it is adapted to the particular needs of each child, both as regards comfort and cleanliness, and as regards seemliness. The teaching of the children is carried on at present under some difficulty, owing to the disorder unavoidably produced by the additions which are being made to the buildings. This disturbing element will, however, soon be removed, as the new building is rapidly approaching completion.

The new building will add greatly to the efficiency of the institution. The new schoolroom, the glass verandah, the large dormitory, and the new lavatory arrangements are all excellent. The enlargement of the dining hall, and the other alterations that have been made in the old building are also important improvements. It is observed, however, that the glass verandah interferes somewhat with the lighting of the older part of the dining hall, and it is recommended that this should be remedied by the substitution of ordinary sash windows for those at present existing. The new windows should be similar to those which have been constructed in the new building. If this should not be found sufficient to give the desirable amount of light, it could be easily obtained by making two dormer windows in the roof, which might be constructed in a way that would have a pleasing architectural effect. It is also recommended that the walls of the new dormitory should be lined with wood to the height of 4 feet. The grounds attached to the institution have been increased in extent and in amenity by an alteration of the Pitempton Road, which now crosses the Dichty by a new bridge further down the stream than the old one. This improvement is about to be carried further by the removal of an old mill which the alteration of the road has brought within the institution grounds. These changes give an opportunity for making a desirable alteration of the approach, and this is understood to be under consideration. By this alteration the entrance gate would be removed to a position considerably further away from the building than the site of the present gate, and a much greater amount of privacy would thus be obtained for the children.

Some interesting details as to the degree and character of the incapacities of the children in the institution are given by Dr Greig in his annual report for the past year. He divides the children resident at the end of the year into the following 5 groups:—

1. Pupils who can neither speak nor understand speech: — M 3, F 2, Total 5.
2. Pupils who understand speech but cannot themselves speak: — M 15, F 7, Total 22.
3. Pupils who can speak and are to some extent teachable: — M 22, F 14, Total 36.
4. Pupils who can be taught to read and write: — M 6, F 1, Total 7.
5. Pupils who can read and write for themselves: — M4, F 3, Total 7.
TOTALS: Males 50, Females 27, Total 77.

Of the total number, 12 pupils cannot feed themselves, 30 cannot dress themselves, 44 cannot count, and 33 cannot recognise colours. For a large number of pupils the most that can be done for them in the way of education is to teach them orderly conduct and cleanliness, which will conduce to their own happiness and prevent them from being obnoxious to others. The ability to do useful work can only be gained by a few. In the report only 8 pupils are mentioned as able to sew, and 18 as able to knit. Thirteen boys and 6 girls are given as able to do house work, 9 boys can work in the garden, and 3 work with the tailor.

The books and registers of the institution were examined, and were found regularly and correctly kept.


These reports were also published in the Dundee Courier newspaper.

Best of luck,
Alan

[emamc]

Thank you Alan, that gives me real flavour of what it was like. Much appreciated.