Glasgow & West of Scotland Family History Society

@gwsfhs.org.uk

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Here to connect with other family historians, genealogists, and people with a passion for Glasgow's past. Drop in to our Glasgow West End research centre or visit us online! Registered Scottish charity. gwsfhs.org.uk

Genealogy books for sale at the Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society research centre.
This picture shows the (rather faded) Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom as used in Scotland. The image can be seen above the River Nile corner shop at 27 Paisley Road West, premises owned in 1913/14 by the Trustees of the Savings Bank of Glasgow. Although the dark wooden panelling of the original bank has long disappeared, one of our members can remember being taken there by her mother, with the counter too high for the wee girl to see over. The building is Category B Listed, and the heraldic device is described as “Ornate heraldic corner piece above bank front at 1st floor, comprising lion and unicorn flanking shield, painted gilded.” [Image: Paul Burns] gwsfhs – where yesteryear comes round again Visit us at www.gwsfhs.org.uk
Memorial plaque above a building that says "Co-operative Memorial Building erected to the memory of all co-operators in Scotland who fought in the Great War 1914-1919. Image: Paul Burns
Old postcard of what is now Keith Street, with row of of buildings that look like two-ups-two-down houses. A horse and carriage sits next the sidewalk, and Dumbarton Road is visible in the background.
Black and white photograph of a taxidermied dog with a thick collar and black ears on display with a pair of dog-sized boots in front of him. From 'Glasgow Curiosities' by Carol Foreman.
Black and white photograph of two women outside a gypsy caravan. One woman is standing, the other is sitting. Both are engaged in some sort of homemaking activity. There is a fire with a hanging cooking pot.
AWNTON, v. to depress; to  cast down. DAWT, v. to fondle. DAWTIE, n. a fondling. DAWTIT, p.p. fondled. DEE, v. to die. — n. a dairy-  maid. DEED, ad. indeed. DEED-DAIL, n. the board on  which the dead are stretched  before being coffined. DEEIN, v. dying. DEEL, DEEVIL, DEIL, n. the  devil. DEEP, n. the deepest part of a  river. DEEPDRAUGHT, n. a crafty  circumvention. DEEPDRAUGHTIT, a. crafty;  designing. DEEPIN', n. a net. DEER-HAIR, n. heath clubrush. DEFAIK, v. to relax; to remit. DEFAIL, v. to wax feeble. DEFASIANCE, n. excuse;  subterfuge. DEFAISE, v. to deduct. DEFAME, n. infamy. DEFAMYT, p.p. forfeited. DEFEND, v. to ward off. DEFOUL, v. to defile; to dis-  honour; to disgrace. DEFUND, v. to pour down. DEFOWLE, n. disgrace. DEGEST, a. grave. DEGESTABLE, a. concocted. DEGESTLIE, ad. sedately. DEGOUTIT, p.p. spotted. DEGYIST, p.p. disguised. DEIL, n. part; quantity. DEIL-BE-LICKET, n. nothing. DEIL-MA-CARE, int. no  matter. DEIL’S-BUCKIE, n. a wicked  imp; a term applied to an ill-  natured child while bellowing  and weeping aloud. DEIL’S-DIRT, DEIL’S-DUNG,  n. assafoetida. DORE, DUR, DURE, n. a door. DORESTANE, n. the threshold-  stone. DORLACH, n. a bundle. DORNICK, n. a linen table-  cloth. DOROTY, n. a doll; a very  small female. DORT, v. to pet; to take a fit  of sulkiness. — n. a pet. DORTY, a. sulky; pettish. DORTYNESS, n. pride;  arrogance. DOSEN, v. to benumb with  cold. DOSEN’D, a. benumbed. DOSK, a. dark-coloured. DOSS, n. a tobacco-pouch. — a.  neat. DOST UP, p.p. dressed sprucely. DO’T, DUDE, v. to do it. DOT, DOTTAR, n. a dotard;  one become stupid with age. DOTAT, p.p. endowed. DOTED, p.p. given as a  donation. DOTTAR, v. to become stupid. DOTTLE, n. the remainder of  tobacco left in a pipe after  smoking; a small particle.
Image of slum housing, showing woman and child by bed, and small water closet at rear, c.1910, Glasgow City Archives, Ref: P662
clip from the Scotland census showing a family with 10 people living in two rooms.
Glasgow, in this respect, occupies a bad pre-eminence. Eighteen per cent, of the mothers there are in bad and 36 per cent, in poor health. Dundee shows more in bad health but also more in good health. Those in Classes II. and III. in Dundee were miserable women, hopeless and depressed, as well as physically unfit. The mill-work, child-bearing and year after year of low earnings and bad housing make the lot of the women hard and the drunkenness and riotous ways of the town increase these ills. In Edinburgh, the standard of health was higher than elsewhere, probably because with incomes about equal to those in Glasgow there is less struggle to keep up a good appearance and so more money spent on food and less anxiety on the mother's part to keep the ohildren " looking respectable." Report to the royal commission on the poor laws and relief of distress on the condition of the children who are in receipt of the various forms of poor law relief in certain parishes in Scotland, appendix, vol. xxxiii, pt. 1, p. 17 [Cd. 5075], H.C. 1910, lii, 45.
Glasgow, in this respect, occupies a bad pre-eminence. Eighteen per cent, of the mothers there are in bad and 36 per cent, in poor health. Dundee shows more in bad health but also more in good health. Those in Classes II. and III. in Dundee were miserable women, hopeless and depressed, as well as physically unfit. The mill-work, child-bearing and year after year of low earnings and bad housing make the lot of the women hard and the drunkenness and riotous ways of the town increase these ills. In Edinburgh, the standard of health was higher than elsewhere, probably because with incomes about equal to those in Glasgow there is less struggle to keep up a good appearance and so more money spent on food and less anxiety on the mother's part to keep the ohildren " looking respectable." Report to the royal commission on the poor laws and relief of distress on the condition of the children who are in receipt of the various forms of poor law relief in certain parishes in Scotland, appendix, vol. xxxiii, pt. 1, p. 17 [Cd. 5075], H.C. 1910, lii, 45.
'Woman With Naked Baby, Slum Interior', Glasgow, no date, c.1910, Glasgow City Archives, C67
In the early medieval period, the ancient province of Flanders in northern Belgium was the economic powerhouse of Europe and the principal outlet for Scotland's major export of wool for the Flemish weaving industry. Bruges, the provincial capital of West Flanders, was the first Scottish Staple port, with a valuable monopoly on importing, storing and trading Scottish goods, and the city still has a historic wharf – the Schottendyk – formerly used by the Scottish merchants. The importance of Bruges diminished as the harbour silted up, to be replaced ultimately by Rotterdam, but we continue to be reminded of our connections with the city by the crow step or 'corbie' gables seen in buildings across Scotland and by surnames such as Fleming, Lindsay and Douglas, all familiex believed to have Flemish ancestors in their bloodlines. [Images: Maddie Burns] gwsfhs – where yesteryear comes round again Visit us at www.gwsfhs.org.uk
The arms granted to Gavin Lester Main Waddell in 2009 by the Lord Lyon, King of Arms, on the 41st page of 88th Volume of the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland, 'Azure, a saltire chequy Argent and Gules between three buckles in chief and flanks and a pheon Argent in base. Above the Shield is placed an Helm befitting his degree with a Mantling Azure dubled Argent, and on a Wreath of the Livberies is set for Crest a lion's head erased Gules.'
A headstone surrounded by blooming daffodils in the foreground with Stirling castle visible on a hill in the background.
This sign outside the Kelvingrove Cafe at 1161 Argyle Street with the cafe mascot, Pearl the Oyster Lady, can still be seen carved and painted on the stone outside. Image by Scott Fairie
A place of worship has stood at Shiskine in Arran for centuries. A church, dedicated to St Michael, was erected in 1708 on or near the site of an older building, incorporating features which had probably been taken from a medieval chapel, including a window carved out of a single block of stone, and a 'Leper's Hole' where those afflicted with that terrible disease could still take the sacraments. By 1886, the old 'preaching house' was leaking. A new building was erected down the valley and the church was left to deteriorate, to the point of becoming a roofless shell. It was bought by the Shiskine Valley Trust in 2004 but despite restoration fund-raising by local people, the building was deemed in a dangerous condition and the Trustees proposed demolition. A group of determined folk, led by a local farmer, decided otherwise and restoration work commenced in 2010. Today, the work completed, the walls have been rebuilt and capped and the wooden lintels replaced – even the leper's window can be seen again. [Images: Paul Burns] gwsfhs – where yesteryear comes round again. Visit us at www.gwsfhs.org.uk
The Glasgow Uni cloisters with "fluted columns and transverse ribbed vault" Photo credit: VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Interested in finding out about your family history? Let us help you trace your ancestors. Who were they? Where were they born? How did they live? What did they do for a living? Tap into our wealth of local knowledge and membership benefits: A printed journal sent to you 3 times per year Regular e-News delivered to your inbox Full access to the Research Centre (check website) Volunteers always willing to help Research team available if you can't visit or for help with your 'Brick Walls' Monthly Zoom meetings given by experts in Family & Social History Glasgow & West of Scotland Family History Society Unit 13, 32 Mansfield Street, Partick, Glasgow G11 5QP +44 (0)141 339 8303 Opening hours: TUESDAY 1.00pm-4.00pm THURSDAY 1.00pm-4.00pm SATURDAY 1.00pm-4.00pm Browse our website at: gwsfhs.org.uk Check out our Facebook page: facebook.com/gwsfhs Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/gwsfhs A Scottish Charity - Number SC010866 Printed & published by GWSFHS 32 Mansfield St, Glasgow G11 5QP
An ornate ceramic fountain against an unusually blue sky. Photo credit VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Photo at dawn of Ailsa Craig taken from a bothy on Arran. Green fielfs and fences suggesting farmland can be seen in the foreground, and a sunrise over the water in the background. Photography by Maddie Burns.
Photograph of a tenement building with a old-fashioned sign that says "DAIRY B.S. PADDA&CO GROCERIES PROVISIONS"
Photograph of a sunny day, with blue skies of a large obelisk with "George Buchanan 1506-1582" written on the front. At the base of the obelisk, sits an attractive golden dog.
"Quarter-length portrait of Buchanan, portrayed almost full face. He wears a black skull-cap and black costume with white collar and cuffs. He holds a scroll in his right hand in front of him. This is probably not a painting from life but a traditional portrait of the early seventeenth century." George Buchanan (1506–1582), painted by Arnold Bronckhorst, held at University of Edinburgh, accession number EU0214
Stone Memorial to the SS Daphne in Elder Park, Govan. Photo by Scott Faire.
A drawer filled with black boxes with white labels that list years of births, marriages, and deaths in Ayrshire. #genealogy
A drawing of Partick Castle in 1828 by Andrew McGeorge, as reprinted in Villages of Glasgow, Volume One by Aileen Smart.
GINGERBREAD ROCK CAKES. 1 teacupful Sour Milk. 1/2 teacupful Treacle. 1 Egg. 1 teaspoonful Baking Soda. 1 teaspoonful Salt. 1/4 teaspoonful Nutmeg. Pinch Ground Cloves. 1/2 teacupful Syrup. 1/2 teacupful Melted Butter. 1 lb. Flour. 1/2 teaspoonful Baking Powder. 1/2 teaspoonful Ginger. 1/4 teaspoonful Cinnamon. Beat egg. Add syrup and treacle, melted butter and sour milk. Measure and sieve all dry ingredients and add them gradually to the first mixture, beating well. The mixture should be so stiff that the spoon will stand upright in it. Drop heaped teaspoonfuls on prepared tins. Bake in a good oven for about 20 minutes. When cakes are nearly ready, glaze the tops by brushing them over with brown sugar which has been dissolved in a little boiling water. Return to the oven to dry, then cool on a sieve or wire tray. Miss M'ILDOWIE.
A collection of vintage photographs showing various scenes in Scotland. Photo taken by Diana Burns.
Interior of Partick Bath and Wash House, showing rows of individual wash stations for doing laundry. Glasgow City Archives, Ref D-BW1/9
Front of the building housing the Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society
Image of slum housing, showing woman and child by bed, and small water closet at rear, c.1910, Glasgow City Archives, Ref: P662
clip from the Scotland census showing a family with 10 people living in two rooms.
Glasgow, in this respect, occupies a bad pre-eminence. Eighteen per cent, of the mothers there are in bad and 36 per cent, in poor health. Dundee shows more in bad health but also more in good health. Those in Classes II. and III. in Dundee were miserable women, hopeless and depressed, as well as physically unfit. The mill-work, child-bearing and year after year of low earnings and bad housing make the lot of the women hard and the drunkenness and riotous ways of the town increase these ills. In Edinburgh, the standard of health was higher than elsewhere, probably because with incomes about equal to those in Glasgow there is less struggle to keep up a good appearance and so more money spent on food and less anxiety on the mother's part to keep the ohildren " looking respectable." Report to the royal commission on the poor laws and relief of distress on the condition of the children who are in receipt of the various forms of poor law relief in certain parishes in Scotland, appendix, vol. xxxiii, pt. 1, p. 17 [Cd. 5075], H.C. 1910, lii, 45.
'Woman With Naked Baby, Slum Interior', Glasgow, no date, c.1910, Glasgow City Archives, C67
An old, weathered grave, covered with hundreds of coins. The headstone has become a place of pilgrimage and visitors leave coins and other tokens on the grave.
Two women stand in a cramped close, with laundry hanging above between the buildings. What appear to be two boys, one possible holding a chamberpot, are in the foreground but are blurred. Thomas Annan, Close, No. 37 High Street. Accession number: PGP 185.5. National Galleries of Scotland Collection. https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/9021
A group of children sit and stand in a Glasgow backcourt, surrounded by tenement buildings. Thomas Annan, Close No. 46, Saltmarket, Glasgow. Accession number: PGP 185.22. National Galleries of Scotland. https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/9038