June 2004

[TheGorbalsAdmin]

My Father - Robert Augustus McKissack was born 17 Waddell Street Glasgow 26th Oct. 1903. At about 14yrs he served 4 years as cadet on the 'Empress' River Clyde Training Ship immigrated to Victoria Australia at 19yrs. His father was Robert McKissack, his mother Robertha, brother's were Richard, George, William and sister's Margaret, Catherine and Anne. Any information arising from the history books will be appreciated.

Submitted by: Gordon McKissack
Albury, Australia
30/06/04
Email: gordel@iprimus.com.au
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Further to my enquiry, of the 28.6.04. some of the families who lived in the same close 246 were, the Valleys, the Ross family, mr Walsh, another McGill, re - McNaught. If anyone knows were any of these families have gone, please pass on my kindest regards. Thanks Jimmy McGill.

Submitted by: Jimmy McGill
Lancing, England
29/06/04
Email: james.mcgill3@btinternet.com
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I lived at 246 florence st until 1956, anybody live in or near that address please?

Submitted by: Jimmy McGill
Lancing, England
28/06/04
Email: james.mcgill3@btinternet.com
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I was born in Warwick St in 1947. As you all know it changed it's name to Nicholson St. I have been looking into some off the details about my old street. Now anybody from Bedford up must have known the wee green grocer's Ina Martin's. Her shop was just across from the Dodds family there window boxes and all around his window's where all painted RED WHITE AND BLUE. Is that a clue? Now this is a good one - does anybody remember the C5 Rambling Club started by the great Rev Jeff Shaw? We used to meet at the corner off Nicholson St/Bedford St and we used to go away for the day Magic. And I remember the claty dozen Tam Smith was the leader off. One day during a storm a chimney came down and killed the girl from 202 LOW down was killed, and the first person to go to her help was Tam Smith. He took of his jacket to stop the rain from wetting her, the whole st knew the lassie. As in the Gorbols all for one and one for all. As when anybody passed away a member off the family would go round the doors for a collection to give them a half desent send off. We where all poor but clean and happy. A wee joke before I go. The people in the Gorbols wanted to twin with the people in the Bronx New York and the gangsters in the Bronx said no way the people in the Gorbols are to tough for us. I went to Adelphi and my primary was Buchan st I was born 1947. Take care and be proud as I am off the old place xx Alex.

Submitted by: Alex Allum
Cumbernauld, Scotland
27/06/04
Email: tcb1151@aol.com

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Yes I was a cameronian cadet at Coplaw St came from Lawmoor st - 53 on parade St Enoch sq. for her majesty strip and fire 303. Bren guns trained to kill in armed combat what else was a 14yrs old Gorbals kid good for except "dixons blazes" or fight in the wars created by the multinationals, but since the age of communications i'm overjoyed to read about so many Glasgow kids doing well all over the world - keep it up gorbalonians!

Submitted by: Ten Quid
Oz
27/06/04
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Does anyone remember the NIVEN/ROBERTSON family, we used to live at 14 EGLINTON ST. Willie, Peggy (RE-Robertson) Billy, Donald, Mary, Tommy & Alex - THAT'S ME. MY Granny lived down stairs, a well known lady alot of you must have been to the `Guild Of Aid`, The lady that run it wrote a book`My Gorbals'. My Granny Robertson was in it, 14 grand wains We had to share an outside toilet with three other families. The (Blues) was one don't remember the others, I was only 6/7yrs. We moved to Carnwadric (POSH) inside toilet, we are all over the place now but would like to hear from any long lost family or friends. It's been a while, I left to Join Royal Navy May 1971.

Submitted by: Alex Niven
Portsmouth, England
23/06/04
Email: alex.l.niven@ntlworld.com
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Many thanks to Davie Higgins in Tenby who loaned me the book "The magic of the Gorbals". I now live in Wales and Davie now lives in Wales, so you never know we might just meet up for a pint and discuss the magical Gorbals days!

Submitted by: Colin Mac
Pontypridd, UK
22/06/04
Email: colinmacuk@yahoo.com
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I was born in the Gorbals Cross In 36, left it in 59 to come to the States. I'm looking for friend Eileen Doohan, that lived In Ballater st, next to the pub she was an only child so decided not to leave her parents to come to the States lost touch with her. I think she married a local lad would like to hear from anyone that knew us way back then.

Submitted by: Pat Lynch
L.A, California
22/06/04
Email: Glasgopati@aol.com
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For Brian Boyle - Derry Trayner was my older brothers van boy, when they both worked at Atlas lighting back in the fifies. Worked as a part time barman in derry bar (the seaforth) for two years before it closed down. Wee Hughie O'Neal was the charge hand, Derry's brother Noel used to help out sometimes. The fulltime barmaid was Bridie O'Donnell. My you brought back memories of the old gorbals. Can you tell me what or where is derry now?

Submitted by: Owen
Glasgow, Scotland
21/06/04
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Ben Doogan - its the same Pillans family. Wullie remembers you moved fae the Gorbals tae Govanhill St then c\milk when hoose got blown doon micks doocot wiz still standing thats it for now.

Submitted by: J Pillans
Glasgow, Scotland
21/06/04
Email: pillans221@hotmail.com
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Most of my days as a young lad at 311 Thistle St my brother has already wrote a message in this site, but he forgot to put the rest of the family in. My sister Maureen was married to Derry Traynor good boxer good pub owner and a very good father. Pat crerand lived across the back from us, he lived with his aunt. Also, two closes up was the famous Alex Harvey remember him he was my brothers mate (Jack). Also Jimmy Boyle was in the same class as me at Bonnies. I am still looking for a good mate that lived next door to me at 311 his name is Terry Kearns.

Submitted by: Brian Boyle
Bebington, England
17/06/04
Email: brianboyle474@msn.com
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I remember the peanut man under the bridge at Clelland Street well, I went to St. John's primary, just along the street from him in 1947. Does anyone remember the Elders who lived in Lawmoor street and sold the papers around the Gorbals? Young Sammy was a pal of mine, and I used to sell the Times, News and Citizen at Gorbals cross, the corner of South Portland street, Bedford street and Shawlands cross on a saturday,around 1952/60.

Submitted by: Owen
Glasgow, Scotland
17/06/04
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Does anyone remember my mother Catherine Petrie (kitty) she came from the Gorbals? She moved to Castlemilk in the 50's with my dad Charlie Miller.

Submitted by: Stephen Miller
Glasgow, Scotland
16/06/04
Email: steg7148@aol.com
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I am looking for anyone who was in the 7th. Bt. Cameronians Scottish Rifles at Coplaw Street Glasgow from 1947 to 1952. Our CO was Lt.Col Sloan then Major Gibbs and Archie Gibbons the RSM was Andy Bell, would like to here from anyone who was in the cadets at that time.

Submitted by: Thomas Kelly Donnelly
Brooklyn, New York USA
16/06/04
Email: weecheekyman@msn.com
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I remember the Pillan's fae Govanhill St - is it the same family?

Submitted by: Bernie Doogan
Glasgow, Scotland
15/06/04
Email: ben.doogan@hotmail.com
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I have had so many people contact me after the last message...they are all asking if I can remember anymore places or characters. Do you remember the peanut man under the bridge in Cleland Street who also sold toffee apples and tablet?

Submitted by: Colin Mac
Pontypridd, South Wales
15/06/04
Email: colinmacuk@yahoo.com
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Does anybody remember the McCallum family who stayed in Abbotsford Place? Dads name is John and mother is Betty. Also six children, John, Brian, Hugh, Margaret, Tricia and Paul.

Submitted by: Maguire
Glasgow, Scotland
13/06/04
Email: lynnemaguire@msn.com
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Does anybody remember the Pillans family from Mathieson Street? Dads name was Rab and mothers name was Susie Pillans. Also had ten children Rab, Mick, Wullie, Susan, Alex, James, June, John, Joe and David most of them went to Bonnies. Stayed in a number of different streets in the Gorbals.

Submitted by: Pillans
Glasgow, Scotland
13/06/04
Email: pillans221@hotmail.com
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I'm looking for a convent school my mother went to around 1938. It was in North Dumfies, she traveled by bike from Noblehill across the river. I believe it was a strict convent school run by nuns. If anyone has any information or maps ect please could they let me know? Thankyou.

Submitted by: Peter Jury
Clacton, Essex
12/06/04
Email: peterjury@btopenworld.com
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Thanks Ann, not sure if it helps yet tho! But cheers Bye

Submitted by: Wee Me
Gorbals, Glasgow
10/06/04
Email: curran2004@aol.com
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Trying to locate Peter Connely. I was in contact with one of his relations who lived in Wales but I lost his e-mail address, he said that Peter lived in McNeil St. If anyone knows him tell him I'm trying to contact him. Thanks

Submitted by: Jim Steen Toms River N.J, USA
10/06/04
Email: james.941@hotmail.com
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Hi does anyone remember the fruit and veg. shop called Murphy`s? My mother Jane Berry worked their at the weekends she was 9 at the time would someone know what street this shop was on and any other info? Also she recalls a great event in her life; as a youngster who had such a passion for Celtic ran on to the pitch at parkhead just as Charlie Tully was about to take a corner kick, she noticed a puddle at the corner, she ran on whipped off her shirt and laid it on the ground for Charlie to stand on. Charlie then took the shot and scored. It was a memorable day for her and she proudly went home with the shirt and Charlie`s footprint. Her love of football and Charlie Tully still lives on, does anyone remember this?

Submitted by: Louisa Glasgow, Scotland 10/06/04 Email: marylouisa68@yahoo.co.uk

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I was born in 1935 at 285 Crown St, attended Camden St school and later went to Strathbungo. Pals were Jimmy Ferry, Alan Wilkie, Tony Morrison, Robert Mulvey. Anyone remember us?

Submitted by: Tommy King Naples, Florida 09/06/04 Email: twmk@yahoo.com
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Has anyone got a copy of The Magic Of The Gorbals? I would love to borrow it just for a wee while.

Submitted by: Colin Mac Pontypridd, South Wales 09/06/04 Email: colinmacuk@yahoo.com
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I am looking for Paul Docherty who lived at Silverfir St, and was at St Bonnies between 1970/74. I would appreciate any whereabouts of Paul.

Submitted by: Bernie Doogan
Glasgow, Scotland
09/06/04
Email: bendoogan@hotmail.com
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Looking for an old mate Donald Macaskill formerly from Eglinton Street and Mannering Road Shawlands. Any help would be grateful thank you.

Submitted by: Rab Kidd
London, UK
09/06/04
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To wee me...I knew a Mary Curran from Gorbals, she married very young to a lad named Bobby Kelly who came from Abbotsford Place Gorbals hope this helps in your search. Regards Ann

Submitted by: Ann
Canada
07/06/04
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The "patter" is what I miss most about the Gorbals. No matter how fed up you were there was always someone with a story or joke that would cheer you up. For example, I would be walking through Gorbals Cross and out of the blue a wee man would shout "How's it gaun?" And after exchanging a bit of banter he would say.."Did yee hear aboot the two vegeterians that got married?" You would reply, "No whit happened?" And the reply was "There was a big turnup (turnip) at the wedding!" BOOM! BOOOM! Hummour is what kept most people going, and was a real driving force that made a real difference to our lives - who needed valuim when you had the great Gorbals patter!!!

Submitted by: Colin MacFarlane
Pontypridd, South Wales
02/06/04
Email: colinmacuk@yahoo.com
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I have been trying to research any info about my grandfather, Thaddeus (TED) Lavin . He was born at 27 Gilmour st in 1906 and served before and during WW2 in the royal marines. As far as I know, he had a signwriting shop in Gorbals street until the early sixties, when he died suddenly. One story about him is that he rescued a boy from the Clyde (only for the lad, sadly to pass away in hospital) for which he was awarded a civic medal for bravery; no easy thing to do, jumping off that huge bridge that connects the Gorbals to the city centre! If anyone out there has any info on him, I'd be eternally grateful.

Submitted by: Neil
Dundee
02/06/04
Email: neilhaughey@aol.com
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My Grandfather was James Borland. Lived at 37 Salisbury Street, divorced my Grandmother Henrietta in 1904, they had four children, James, Thomas, Elizabeth & Archiebald. James & Thomas were killed in the war in 1914-1918. My Grandmother stayed in Portugal St, their son Archie stayed in 106 Nicholson St with his family. I believe my Grandfather James remarried and had more children. Could anyone help in tracing or know of his children that he had?

Submitted by: Elizabeth Clark (nee Borland)
Glasgow, Scotland
02/06/04
Email: william.clark90@ntlworld.com
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I am looking for relatives of a Robert Craig who comes from the Gorbals. He settled in Stamford in Lincolnshire, he had a brother called Jimmy. The last time I was in Glasgow was in 1960 I stayed with my auntie & uncle in a tenement in Castle Street. I know I have relatives in Glasgow but don't know where. If anybody knows they can contact me via the email address. Hope somebody out there can help!

Submitted by: Richard Craig
Peterborough, UK
01/06/04
Email: Crichbobby@aol.com
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Anybody out there attend Adelphi Terrace school between the years of 1957 and 1960 and remember Daddy Gardiner, Granny Grant, wee Jimmy Dugan tech teacher and the headmaster Mr Hallum? Some of the people in my class were Robert Docherty, Rebina Weir, Adam Irvine, Sadie Saunders and Ann Shearer. Would love to hear how you are all doing or anyone else in our class at that time. I hope you are all doing great it was a pleasure to spend my youth with you all there are nobody like the Gorbals people - never forget it awe the best Davie.

Submitted by: David Adams
Toronto, Canada
01/06/04
Email: gorbalscross@hotmail.com
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