Category: Burnbank

THE PATON FAMILY OF HAMILTON.

John Paton & Elizabeth Cunningham Kerr.

THE PATON FAMILY OF HAMILTON.
Harry Paton Evans sent us a picture of his Grandparents who were called John Paton & Elizabeth Cunningham Kerr. Harry told us a little bit about the picture where he said it was taken round the back of 79 Cameron Crescent and he pointed out that you could see the Bing just to the left of the picture. Harry told us that this picture was took roughly around the late 1930s or early 1940s.
 
As Harry was kind enough to share his family photo, I thought that I would look in to his family history to see what I could find.
Harry, your grandfather John Paton was born on the 30th of June 1893 to parents George Paton & Mary Ann Simpson, who were married at Rutherglen on the 30th of August 1891. Your grandfather was born at 11 Bertram Street, Greenfield, Burnbank and he was born at 4:30 am. Now your Great Grandfather George was an educated man as he signed his name on your Grandfathers Birth certificate, rather than mark it with a X. Back in 1893 there were a lot of illiterate people, who could not read or write.
 
In 1901, I found your grandfather living with his mum and dad at 32 George Street in Burnbank and it appears that this is where the family settled down, probably because your great grandfather worked at the Bent Colliery. When I was looking at Census returns for your great grandfather George Paton, it seems that he was a man who was really trusted and would have been respected by people in his trade. Your Great Grandfather George Paton was born in the year 1864 at Rutherglen and he was the son of an Irishman called John Paton & your Great Grandmother was called Bridget McCabe.
 
George Paton worked in the coalmines and he was appointed the trusted job of checkweighman, this was documented in the 1901 Census and back then, coal miners were paid by the amount of coal that they had dug each day and in the old days of coalmining, the coal masters were frequently known to underpay the miners, so to prevent this from happening, the miners elected a trusted man of their own to weigh the coal and around 1901 your great grandfather was this man.
 
Your Great Grandfather George was also possibly involved in a minority Trade Union as on the 1901 Census which was taken on the night of 31st of March 1901 he had a Visitor living here with him. This visitor was a man from England who was called William Gee and he stated his occupation as an Agitator for the Social democrat federation. This statement of occupation really tells a story in itself. I can’t find any other record of why the said William Gee was visiting your Great Grandfather.
 
The family are still living at 32 George Street in 1911 and your Great Grandfather has a new job! He is working as an Electrical coal cutting machine man. Electric coal cutters did the job a lot faster but none the less, it was still a very dangerous job. On the 27th of December 1912, a tragic accident happened
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in the No1 Shaft of the Bent Colliery. George was at work when he stopped his machine to clear away some dirt when there was a roof collapse and a large section of rock fell and entombed George. It took 4 hours for his fellow miners to get to him and when they found him he was dead. The cause of his death was recorded as asphyxia, he was only 49 years old.
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Staying with your Great Grandmother on this side of the Family, Mary Ann Simpson was the daughter of an Irish man called Robert Simpson & Margaret Baird, who was from the Paisley area. Mary Ann was born at Rutherglen 4th of December 1868 at 35 New Street.
 
Robert who was your 2 X great grandfather was born in Ireland c 1848 and worked as a coal Miner. He married Margaret Baird in Ireland on the 20th of April 1867.
 
Robert worked as a Chemical work labourer in Rutherglen from 1870 until at least 1884 when he then moved to Hamilton to work as a coal Miner. When he moved to Hamilton he worked at Earnock Colliery and he and the family moved to 37 Argyle Buildings. Your 2 x Great Grandmother Margaret Baird died on the 7th of June 1914 at Bothwell and your 2 x Great Grandfather died at Shotts on the 5th of May 1920.
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Harry, I went back to have a look at your Grandmothers side of the family, Your Grandmother as you told me was called Elizabeth Cunningham Kerr. Now she was born on the 5th of August 1894 at Motherwell. The address that was registered at the time was 25 New Camp? I am unable to find anything on this address, so maybe you could fill me in on this?
 
Elizabeth’s parents and your Great Grandparents were called John Kerr & Agnes Cunningham and when your grandmother was born, her mum was the person who registered the birth, perhaps your great Grandfather was still down at the pub celebrating the birth.
 
Your 2 x great grandparents were married at Bellshill on the 31st of December 1883 and like your other great Grandparents, they were a coal mining family.
 
Your Great, Great grandmother Agnes Cunning died at the family home of 32 George Street in Burnbank on the 29th of February 1920. The cause of her death was Influenza & Bronchitis.
Paton FTWM
Once again Harry, thank you for sharing your picture of your grandparents and if you do not already know about your family history, then I hope that you find this interesting.
George and Harry paton, father and son 1940s
 
Researched by Garry McCallum
Historic Hamilton.

Lightbody’s 1997

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On Tuesday the 5th of September we posted a 1997 picture of Lightbody’s the bakers which were situated on Quarry Street. This picture got you all talking and we had a great response with 17,265 views, 661 Facebook reactions and 94 comments.

What are your memories of Lightbody’s the Bakers?

 

 

COUNCIL SPEEDS UP HAMILTONS SLUM CLEARANCE FEBRUARY 1974.

Ross's Pawn Shop Getting Demolished WM..JPG

In February 1974 Anxious to rid Hamilton of Slums, the Council Speeded up its Slum Clearance Programme from 100 houses a year to 150.
 
This brought forward the demolition of some properties which might have been expected to have a longer life. The council put out advertisements for anyone in the Burgh who were intending to purchase or rent a tenement in Hamilton should consult the Town House before taking any action.
 
In February 1974, the council agreed to an order for the demolition of 5-19 Johnstone Street, the improvement of 55-77 Gateside Street and demolition of 4-12 Brown Street and all work on these streets were carried out in 1974.
 
The director of environmental health submitted a list of properties to be dealt with by 1980. These included certain homes, Shops etc., in Woodside Walk, Lorne Street, Chapel Street, Quarry Place, Montrose Crescent, Almada Street, High Patrick Street, Avon Street, Haddow Street, Ann Street, Quarry Street, Glasgow Road, Stewart Street, Glenlee Street, Robertson Street, Burnbank Road, Dalziel Street, William Street, John Street, Portland Park, Portland Place, Campbell Street, Low Waters Road, Morris Street, Townhead Street, Miller Street, Low Patrick Street, Jack Street, Hope Street, 6 Wellhall Road, Windmill Road, Burnblea Street, Union Street, Lamb Street, 1 Bothwell Road, Cadzow Street, Barrack Street & Cadzow Lane.
 
As you can all imagine, this would have been a major change to these areas in Hamilton and when these houses and shops were demolished, it would change the way that these streets would look for ever.
 
We would like to know if you were affected by this compulsory purchase by the town council in the late 70s? If you were, where did the Council rehome you, or if you owned a shop where did they accommodate you with new business premises? Let us know and share your memories.

BURNBANK PEOPLE IN THE 1940s

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This picture was published in a Hamilton paper in 1972 and it was telling the story of people from Burnbank. The picture was sent to the paper by a M. Justin.

Mr T Duffy from 108 High Blantyre Road, Burnbank identified the local people in 1972, he wrote:

The picture shown was taken in May 1940 and it was in the back garden at 113 High Blantyre Road, then the home of the late Mr & Mrs Alf McEwan. Mr Duffy & his wife were married three weeks after the picture was taken and on the day that it was announced that France had capitulated to the Germans on June 17, 1940.

It shows, from left to right, in the back row: Miss Mary Cumming (Later Mrs. Blezard, Now Deceased 1972), Miss Mary Graham of Almada Street, now Mrs. McLachlan, resident in Australia. Mr T Duffy (Now a retired insurance man 1972) and Mrs Duffy (Then Miss Ina McEwan)

The two girls at the front of the picture were L-R, Miss Margaret McEwan (Now Mrs Higgins) who resided at 113 High Blantyre Road and Miss Theresa McEwan (Now Mrs Cormack) who resides at Blackpool.

Do you have any pictures from the 1940s that you would like to share? Send them to us and we will share with all at Historic Hamilton.

Glenlee Swimmers win Burgh Trophy.

 

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Glenlee Swimmers win Burgh Trophy.

In January 1974, the kids from Glenlee Primary won the McGregor swimming Trophy for schoolboys.

They won first prize and it was reported a month later in a Hamilton paper because of emergency fuel regulations prevented deliveries of the paper being distributed.

Do you recognise anyone in the picture? If you do, then let us know.

Archie Hawkins & Mary Flynn 1929.

Capture Archie Hawkins & Mary Flynn.

Caroline Murray sent Historic Hamilton a picture of her Granny and Di which she believed was taken in 1929, and she asked if we could share it with everyone. As always, we are looking for your old family photos and stories to document and keep in our archives.

I wanted to do a wee bit more for Caroline, and I decided to look in to her family’s Ancestry to see what I could find.

Caroline’s Di was named Archie Hawkins, a coal miner from Blantyre and he was born on the 10th of June 1905 at the family home of 44 Calder Street. He was the son of Thomas Hawkins who was also a coal miner and Mary McNair. Archie’s Father Thomas, was an educated man because when his son was born he personally signed his name on the Birth Certificate. A lot of people at this time could not read or write and they signed things with a X.

Staying with the Hawkins family Archie’s parents, who would be Caroline’s Great Grandparents were married at Blantyre on the 30th of August 1901, and they lived in Blantyre the rest of their days. Sadly, Caroline’s Great Grandfather Thomas, died at the age of 35 on the 11th of August 1916, and the cause of his death was cancer of the stomach. Caroline’s great grandmother Mary McNair had at least three children with her great grandfather Thomas, and they were called Janet, Thomas and her Grandfather Archie.

As you can imagine these would have been tough times for Caroline’s Great Grandmother so she later re-married to a local man named James Glen who was also a Coal Miner. This man James Glen died in Blantyre in the year 1932 and he was 61 years old and she is left a widow once again.

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Caroline’s great Grandmother Mary McNair died at the age 71 on the 21st of November 1947, and she died at her house which was 9 Wallace Place in Blantyre.

When I looked at Caroline’s 2 x Great Grandparents – still staying on the Hawkins side of the family, they were called Robert Hawkins and Elizabeth Fortheringham and they were a family from Hamilton. They married on the 31st of December 1873, at the Hamilton Roman Catholic Chapel. Robert was a Carter and Elizabeth was a Farm Servant.
Caroline’s 3 x Great Grandparents were called Robert Hawkins & Grace Baillie who were born around the year 1855.

Going back to Caroline’s Di and Granny I found that they married on the 18th of July 1927, at the Roman Catholic chapel in Burnbank. After they were married they moved to 184 Glasgow Road, where they started their own family and soon after they had 8 children who were, Thomas, Patrick, Archie, Robert, Mary, Barbara, Elizabeth and Jenny.

Mary Flynn was a Burnbank girl who at the time was working as a Brick Worker. When they met, Archie was living at 16 Miller Street in Blantyre and Mary was living at 26 Bertram Street in Burnbank with her parents.

Hawkins Family Tree..JPG

I found that Caroline’s Great Grandparents were called Patrick Flynn and Mary Ann Connelly and Patrick was working as a Coal Miner and Mary was a domestic servant. Patrick was also a Blantyre man and his address when he married was 51 McAlpine’s Buildings and Mary Ann was living at 130 Glasgow Road.

Patrick and Mary Ann later lived in Burnbank, and their address was 36 Hill Street, and in 1965 Patrick was now working as a Haulage Motorman. Mary Ann died on the 12th of September 1965, at Cleland County Hospital.

On the Flynn side of the family Caroline’s 2 x Great Grandparents were called John and Mary Flynn, Mary’s surname was also the same as her maiden name, and John was working as a foundry Labourer. On the Connelly side of the family Caroline’s 2 x Great grandparents were John Connelly and Catherine Weaver. John was working as a Brick layer.

Flynn Family Tree.

I spoke to Caroline a bit further about her family and she was telling us that her Grandad’s nephew was called Tommy Hawkins, and Tommy had been the person who sculpted the depiction of Christ at Bothwell castle.

Caroline, I hope that I have given you a small insight in to your family History and thank you again for sharing your picture of your Grandparents.

Mary Hawkins death 1947.jpg

If any of our readers would like to share their old family photos then we would love to see them. Please send us your pictures and stories and we will share with all at Historic Hamilton.

Nora MacDonald Fabric Shop.

Burnbank Banter1

Nora MacDonald Fabric Shop.

Nora MacDonald’s shop was situated on Glasgow Road in Burnbank and it was across from the Old Greenfield School.

Minutes Made chip shop one side, and Jimmy Mitchell’s pet shop was at the other. Nora lived in Kenilworth Crescent in the Jungle.

The date the shop opened is unknown to me but it was closed down in 1971 by compulsory purchase from the council.

The picture is courtesy of Linda Reid who is Nora’s daughter and was sent to Burnbank Banter in June 2013.

What are your memories of Nora MacDonald’s fabric Shop on Glasgow Road? Let us Know!

Bet, ye mind,,,,,,

Bet, ye mind,,,,,

 

A wis lookin oot the windae the day n’ thirs nae wains a taw’ oot tae play,,
Then a started thinkin aboot whit oor streets wur like way back in the day,,
Thir wis wains came fae awe ower the schemes, be it hail, rain, sleet ur snaw,,
The wee lassies wae thir skippy ropes, n’ the wee boys wid be kickin’ a baw,,
😇
The bestest times wur whin the lassies wur skippin’ n’ started singin’ a wee song,,
Ye kin bet a poun tae a penny, thit awe the ither wans, wid join in before very long,,
Wan potato, two potato, three potato, four, a bet ye mind a that wan, n’ many, more,,
A still see thim in ma minds eye, “skippin n’ singin’ n’ playin thir games galore,,
😀
Skinny malinky long legs, big banana feet, went tae the picturs’ couldnae git a seat,,
Then the wee wains wae thir dolls, singin’ be baw babbity, that was realy sweet,,,
Three wee craws sittin oan a wa’ “ma maws a millionaire” a mind that wan anaw,,,
Ally bally, ally bally be, Sittin’oan yir mammys knee, noo, that wan wis awfy braw,,,
😂
Well, see us wee boys hid wur “durty wans” Mrs Mc quiddy’ comes intae ma mind,,
Bit noo we cannie sing them wee songs any mair,cause they wid be far too unkind,
Chap the door n’ run away, “peever, n’ kick the can” oh aye n’ lets play hide n’ seek,,
A mind whin a gote a wee bit aulder, ‘kiss cuddle ur torture’ a wis sore fur a week,,,
😢

(A love a lassie, a bonnie heelan lassie )

The above poem was written for Historic Hamilton by Hugh Hainey,

The Burnbank Bolt Works 1931.

The Burnbank Bolt works 1931.

 

Burnbank Bolt Works..JPG

In the picture are girls from the Burnbank Bolt Factory. This picture was taken in 1931 and was sent to us by Paul McCarroll.

Paul told us: “My Granny is bottom row 3rd from left and her name was Martha Mccarroll (maiden name Strachan) and her sister Rose Cox (maiden name also Strachan) is first on the right bottom row with some girls arm around her.”

Paul, thank you for sending us this fantastic picture of a bygone era. Many people worked at the Burnbank Bolt Works. The factory holds many good memories for people and i know this because people speak about the Bolt Works all the time on Historic Hamilton.

Share your memories of the Bolt Works or even better, do you have an old picture from inside the Burnbank Bolt works? If you do, then send it to us and we will share it with everyone on Historic Hamilton.

Auld Pals,,

auld_pals_aqua_magnet_grande

Auld Pals,,

Written for Historic Hamilton by Hugh Hainey.

A wis gonnie tell ye a story aboot auld “Hillhoose” the fifty feet n’ the strawberry bing,
Bit jist as a wis writin it doon a gote a chapp it the door n’ that changed everything,
There wis a an auld pal stawnin there, a wee guy thit a hivnae see fur nearly fifty years,
The reason am tellin this is cause it’s youre fault “Historic Hamilton” fur bringin happy tears,,
😂
A worked wae him in ” Liptons” In Hamilton, bit the wee manager wis always in a sulk,,
Ye know wannae them wee numtys’ he didnae like me wan bit, n’ hid a face thit curdled mulk,
“Am sick of yous’ twos’ carry oan” wae yir music blarin’ “yir seperatin” then, a bitter pill,,’
Willie, youre stayin in this shop wae me, n’ you, aye, you “yir gittin deported tae Bellshill”
😈
He came doon tae see me cause his sister hid seen ma wee rantins’ on yir great site,
Him n’ “Mary Doll” n’ ma kids, hid gote the gither oan that “FACEACHE” n’he turned up friday night,
Am no kiddin’ when a say that surprised wisnae the word, ma hert jumped up, n’ a couldae swally”
Efter awe the years n’ some sheddin of tears thanks tae you a seen ma auld pal WILLIE MCINALLY,
🐺

( STRIKE ONE FUR MA BUCKET LIST)