Dumbarton Poorhouse location for 1871 census.....

Lahb · Post by **Lahb** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:40 am

Being fairly new to this I have a slightly confused understanding about the geography of things. If I am looking to find census information of a person who likely was in the Dumbarton poorhouse in 1871 which area do I look for? The Dumbarton Combination Poorhouse was located on Townend Road at the northern outskirts of Dumbarton. Would I look for Dumbarton or Renfrew? John is such a common name I was hoping to narrow things down a bit

Thanks! Lisa

Post by **AndrewP** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:02 am

Hi Lisa,

The Dumbarton Combination Poorhouse, on the northern outshirts of Dumbarton should be in Dumbarton Parish / Registration District. The parish map shows Bonhill parish to be a few miles to the north and Cardross parish a short distance to the west across the River Leven. All of these are in Dunbartonshire.

Renfrewshire is all to the south of the River Clyde, with the exception of the Scotstoun and Yoker section of Renfrew Parish, a few miles east of Dumbarton.

All the best,

Andrew Paterson

Post by **Ina** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 4:59 pm

Hi Lisa,

This website has information on the Dumbarton Poorhouse.

http://users.ox.ac.uk/~peter/workhouse/ ... rton.shtml

Ina

TD

Lahb · Post by **Lahb** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 5:45 pm

Hi Andrew, that's what I thought but was hoping I was wrong as I can't find him!! I would have expected him to be in Dumbarton, Dumbarton even if he hadn't entered the poorhouse yet (he eventually died there). So much for that thought

Thanks very much for the explanation, I'm going to print it out for future reference as the map I had looked at seemed to have Renfrew and Dumbarton in similar areas

Maybe once I find his daughter he'll be visiting or something.

Hi Ina, I am familiar with that site, but it unfortunately only gives bare bones in terms of location. As the poorhouse was a combination poorhouse covering most of the subareas of Dumbarton (bonhill, dumbarton, renfrew etc...) it mentions all of the parish areas but doesn't indicate which area it specifically is in (other than to name the road I mentioned above). Hence my confusion--thank you for trying though!

Lisa

Post by **joette** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:01 pm

Dont be

by your confusion.My Mum was telling me that she had read an article about the Censuses & how the route was mapped out on foot "so many steps to this street to this street".They stated the (Few) steps it was from Dumbarton Road Yoker to ?St Renfrew so would have the same enumerator.What they had failed to record was a rather famous,large obstacle known as the River Clyde in the way!
Renfrew would be near Dumbarton if it wasnt on the opposite side of the Clyde. Historically the boundaries have changed so many times it is confusing even for an old Bankie like me.

Alcluith · Post by **Alcluith** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 7:32 pm

Lisa,

The Dumbarton Poorhouse would have a catchment of what is now West Dumbartonshire and part of Argyll. but all north of the Clyde therefore unlikely Renfrewshire. With the increase in the print works along the River Leven there was an influx of families moving into the area from all over Scotland.
Although born and living outside the area pre 1871 he could have moved into the area only years before he ended up in the poorhouse.

Do you have him in 1861? what was his occupation?

Try searching for other members of his family in the 1871 census Dumbarton, Row(Rue) and Bonhill outside chance of Cardross and Old Kilpatrick especially if farm workers.

Lahb · Post by **Lahb** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 10:02 pm

Hi Joette - thanks for the boost

Hi Drew - I do have him and his wife with daughter helen in the 1861 census - the wife passes on in 1868 and John follows suit in 1874 at the poor house from "paralysis". I've found his son in 1871 but I've not found the daughter or John yet - I'm thinking Helen the daughter likely married but am still working on that line.

He was a tailor (master in some records, journeyman in others) and on his death registry his son lists him as "pauper" former tailor. Hopefully once I find Helen I'll find him as my searches for John in Dumbarton, Dumbartonshire haven't turned him up yet. I won't be totally heartbroken if I don't find him as I've got the main records for him - this is more for curiosity - where was he, was he paralised and in the poorhouse already at that time etc...Thanks for your suggestions! Lisa

Alcluith · Post by **Alcluith** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:49 am

I live in Dumbarton only a couple of minutes from the local library. If you post more details I can have a look for you.

Dumbarton would at best only had one or two tailors, and its unlikely that that there were more in the surrounding area.
John could have worked in either Glasgow or surrounding area.

He was a tailor (master in some records, journeyman in others)

Journeyman usually means that he was employed. The title of Master would be later when they have their own business or after many years in the trade. So I would expected Journeyman in early entries and Master in later ones.

StewL · Post by **StewL** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 12:50 am

Drew would be correct in this assumption (or so I think

)
I have an ancestor who came up through the ranks to be a Master Shoemaker.

Joette
Is it possible that the very big and famous obstacle was no barrier to the enumerator, as he had that ancient Scottish skill of being able to walk on water, enhanced when he was foo at the end of the night