October 2003

[TheGorbalsAdmin]

My name is Bob (Bobby) Barton I was born in the Oatlands in 1957 and moved to Pollok in 1967. I went to Bonnie's Primary school. If you remember me please email me. Cheers

Submitted by: Bob Barton
31/10/03
Email: bobbar@fsmail.net

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The gorbals has changed significantly recently: but the stats for health are still poor. What does the community today need to improve their health? Any opinions??

Submitted by: Rebecca Williams
Newcastle, England
30/10/03
Email: r.a.williams@ncl.ac.uk

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Recently I read an article about a plan to honour Private Jimmy Stokes a hero from the Gorbals who received the Victoria Cross during WW2. It mentioned that his son James Jr. had emigrated to Canada after the War. I worked with James Stokes in the 60's. He was a physiotherapist as I am, but never mentioned a distinguished father. I wonder if he was the son of Private Stokes. Could anyone help, especially the hero's sister Helena McClymont. Thanks

Submitted by: John Coggans
Ontario, Canada
30/10/03
Email: cog@mnsi.net

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Does anyone know of the Burns family who lived in Waddle Street in the 1930's and 1940's?

Submitted by: John Burns
Sotogrande, Spain
28/10/03
Email: johnburns1934@hotmail.com

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My mum is from Scotland her name is Elizabeth Wallace, if she was alive she would be 69. She ran away from home when she was 14 and came to London three kids later, I'm the baby at 34.

Submitted by: Clive Randall
London, UK
27/10/03
Email: clive33@aol.com

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Looking for any info on a O'Hara family, my great great grandads name was David O'Hara, his wife Mary and three children Mary Jane born 1872 (my great gran), Helen, James, David Robert and Sarah. They lived in a few streets in the Gorbals, they were Mathieson St, Hospital St, Rutherglen Rd and Rose Street. Would be grateful for any information, I think Helen or Sarah may have emigrated to Canada.

Submitted by: Jackie McNulty
Glasgow, Scotland
27/10/03
Email: liamjackiemcnulty@hotmail.com

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Fond memories of my early years living at 130 Abbotsford Place 1959 - 1971. Remember the Lynch family and Mrs Peat from the same close. I think at the bottom of the close there was a laundry and on the other side some kind of shop, but it later became someone's residence. The Fourways pub sat on the corner. Right across the road was Abbotsford school, played football got chased by the janny. Round the corner in Devon St was Leanords the newsagents, Keatons (deli?) and the homes of my friends Gerry Colqhoun, John Arniel and David Howie. Used to love playing 2 man hunt, hide n go seek, kick the can and numerous other games in the 'backs' along with climbing and dreepying over the dykes (I suppose they should be called walls now). Round the next corner in Eglinton St, there was Rinas greengrocers and a great shop (can't remember name) where we used to buy single fireworks and yes it was myself and friends who used to throw them up the closes...sorry! (If I found my kids doing that now...) Also living in Devon St were the O'Doherty family (relatives) and the Heaneys (more relatives) I would love to hear from anybody who remembers me and/or can fill in details.

Submitted by: Jim Canning
North Ayrshire, Scotland
25/10/03
Email: jim59@postmaster.co.uk

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Does anyone remember George Burton, was in the music halls in the 1930's. Last time I saw him was at the Kings in 1953 and was on the bill with Chick Murray. Any information would be appreciated...Thank you Bill Cummings Crawley.

Submitted by: William Cummings Crawley
Winnipeg, Canada
22/10/03
Email: wcrawley@mts.net

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Apart from being evacuated to Skelmorlie during the war, I lived at 612 Eglinton St and attended Abbotsford from 1945 to 1947, then finished my schooling at Strathbung 1947 to 1949. Have lost contact with all my school friends that lived in the Eglinton Toll area. Would love to hear from you. Mary Thomson (McKinley St?). I vividly remember Billy Drummond from 21 Cardwell St, although I must confess, names have gone however I still see faces. If possible write soon....Billy Cummings Crawley.

Submitted by: William Cummings Crawley
Winnipeg, Canada
22/10/03
Email: wcrawley@mts.net

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I am trying to do research on an antique desk/bookcase built by Scottish Society Wholesale Coop. Ltd Shield Hall Cabinet Factory. Is anyone familiar with this company? If so details please on it.

Submitted by: Phyllis White
Texas, USA
16/10/03
Email: mikie681@wmconnect.com

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Came across this site as I was passing time as my 'Gorbals born' husband has gone to Botswana this weekend. We were married in the Gorbals at Wynd United Free Church in Crown Street. I read with interest that many people are looking for old photo's of the Gorbals, may I suggest you try http://www.mitchelllibrary.org.uk and go to virtual Glasgow. I can assure you that you will have many hours of nostalgia as this site brought me to tears as not only did I see the "close" where my mom was born but also where I played as a child around my granny's close. Please check it out and let me know what your emotions were like.

Submitted by: Jan Williams
Sun City, South Africa
10/10/03
Email: jmwsa@yahoo.com

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Looking for any relatives of Robert Biggam and Laura Biggam (M.N.Ellis). Robert came from Partick Glasgow and Laura from Canada, both died in San Francisco, Robert 1972, Laura 1983. Robert used to work in Mark Hopkins Hotel San Francisco, any information would be grateful.

Submitted by: Bob Kidd
London, UK
10/10/03

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Does anyone know the whereabouts of Veronica (Ronnie) McInally, lived in the Gorbals, went to Our Lady & St Margarets School. Made headline news in the late 50's when boyfriend died of a drug overdose. Would love to make contact with Ronnie.

Submitted by: Johanne Cooper (Nee O'Halloran)
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
09/10/03
Email: rujocooper@xtra.co.nz

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Howye, still a wonderful site. I had computer problems and lost the addy's of people that had contacted me from on here... please get in touch again...sorry!..and ta

Submitted by: Andy Magennis
Orangeville, Canada
09/10/03
Email: amagenc590@rogers.com

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I am trying to locate anyone who remembers my mothers family who lived at 119 Thistle Street from approx. 1926 thru 1947. The family name is Rose, parents George and Dorothy, children Ella, Olga, Ruby, Jean, Lily, Leon and Ruth. I know that Lily worked for Lucas the butcher on Gorbals street. Lily was also friends with Zena Goldberg at Abbotsford school.

Submitted by: Michelle Graham Ambroggio
Michigan, USA
05/10/03
Email: mambroggio@wideopenwest.com

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Any info on a John Kennedy, killed a man in a fight in Duke St around 1939, he ended up in Barlinnie prison? My mother knew him when she was about 15.

Submitted by: Joe Walker
Melbourne, Australia
05/10/03
Email: walkerj@iprimus.com.au

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I am currently researching for Scotland on Film, a BBC programme which provides a nostalgic look at Scottish history. I am keen to find elderly people who are willing to talk about their experiences or involvement with the razor gangs of the Gorbals. If anyone has any information, or would like to take part, please contact me on the email address below. Thank you.

Submitted by: Caroline
Glasgow, Scotland
02/10/03
Email: caroline.peat@bbc.co.uk

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I'm doing family research. Looking for any info on "Doughty" family from Glasgow, possibly Gorbals. Is Gorbals part of Glasgow? Or an address for a birth about 1825 would be most helpful. Any response greatly appreciated.

Submitted by: Jean
Hague, Canada
01/10/03
Email: jzach@sasktel.net

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