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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Renfrewshire => Topic started by: Stowupland on Friday 17 June 11 14:46 BST (UK)

Title: Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers
Post by: Stowupland on Friday 17 June 11 14:46 BST (UK)
I was trying to find information on the Ferguson ship building family as I found a family album at a local car boot sale. I beleive it includes photos related to the Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers. Here is a link to the scanned photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sovietcamera/sets/72157626928278396/

If anybody has any information that is helpful please contact me by flickr or leave a follow up comment here.
Title: Re: Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers
Post by: cuthie on Friday 17 June 11 22:14 BST (UK)
What a lucky find.  Some fascinating photos.  I wonder if anyone will be able to identify any of the people or the locations.   In the early 60s I was at a dinner dance given by Ferguson Bros. which was very enjoyable and well attended, although I cannot remember the actual venue.

Cuthie
Title: Re: Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers
Post by: Istrice on Friday 17 June 11 23:33 BST (UK)
Hi Stowupland,

Sorry I can't help directly, but you might be able to get some assistance from the local daily newspaper in Greenock "The Greenock Telegraph", and/or the Watt Library based in the town.

Good hunting

Istrice
Title: Re: Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers
Post by: ColinUSA on Monday 20 June 11 18:57 BST (UK)
Hi Stowupland,
On your flicker site you mention an obit for Robert Ferguson age 68. What year was the obit published?

In the 1881 census he is 7 years old, born in Partick, Lanark.
Here is some data I have collected on the family:
http://dna.cfsna.net/GEN/Athole/Muthill.html

There is another Robert Ferguson associated with Ship Building, in this case Ramage & Ferguson. In the 1881 census he is 9 years old, born in Partick, Lanark.
http://dna.cfsna.net/GEN/ShipBuilder.html

Do any of the photos have writing on the back? I think Robert of Ferguson brothers was married to Rachel based on 1901 census but I cannot be sure because I cannot find the other Robert in 1901.
Thanks,
Colin
Title: Re: Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers
Post by: Stowupland on Tuesday 21 June 11 14:38 BST (UK)
I beleive it dates from 1941 as the back of the obit cutting has a news story reference to that period of european history.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sovietcamera/5856192437/in/set-72157626928278396

The front of the obit

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sovietcamera/5758872156/in/set-72157626928278396
Title: Re: Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers
Post by: ColinUSA on Tuesday 21 June 11 17:08 BST (UK)
That fits, thanks!
Title: Re: Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers
Post by: orkrad on Wednesday 22 June 11 02:22 BST (UK)
What a wonderful treasure trove.Suggest you  alert the local family history society as to your find. Someone who lives in Greenock or Port-Glasgow will be able to supply the exact contact name. The people in the picture are wearing fashions from the 1920's. The picture of the baby in the christening robe held by the nanny would indicate that these are the picures of a very prosperous family and are probably Fergusson family photos. There are probably some descendants of the shipbuilding family living in Scotland  at the present .

Orkrad.
Title: Re: Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers
Post by: Stowupland on Wednesday 22 June 11 08:15 BST (UK)
Was contacted by the Greenock Telegraph yesterday. Apparently they had somebody out looking down Newark Street for the house but could not identify it. They are going to do an article sometime in the next few days.

http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/

Also informed by somebody on another forum that location might have been demolished.  This looks like the next line of enquiry Renfrewshire Family History Society

http://www.renfrewshirefhs.co.uk/index.html

Another bit of interesting information is that the house might have been Royal Navy officers club during World War 2
Title: Re: Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers
Post by: ikas on Saturday 25 June 11 12:02 BST (UK)
Hi Stowupland,

You might like to contact the administrator of Inverclyde Heritage Hub. He works for McLean Museum in Greenock and they have a large collection of photographs and information relating to shipbuilding in Port Glasgow/Greenock.

The heritage hub is a forum with boards for many historical aspects of the area including a shipbuilding forum which has a sub forum specific to Fergusons. Although the boards are not very active the admin posts a lot of information and the entry for Fergusons is fairly detailed. The hub is free to join but you are required to register before you can view the forums.

I would think the admin would be very interested in your photos. You can PM him from the following link

http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/local-history-and-heritage/inverclyde-heritage-hub

ikas

Title: Re: Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers
Post by: andynimmo on Monday 18 August 14 09:58 BST (UK)
Hi Stowupland,

I'm the grandson of Daniel Ferguson, one of the original Ferguson Brothers.  Sadly I never met him as he died of pneumonia around 1914, 20 years before my birth, but I did meet lots of other family members and if I can help do please feel free to contact me privately. Perhaps Roots may assist you with this.

Best wishes, Andy Nimmo.
Title: Re: Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers
Post by: fraser1 on Monday 18 August 14 11:10 BST (UK)
Good morning,

I know the shipyard well as I stay not too far away.

Sadly it was announced on the news on Friday that the company has gone into receivership.  The last shipyard on the Clyde (I think) not building MOD contracts.   :(

Sandra
Title: Re: Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers
Post by: fifer1947 on Saturday 06 September 14 13:36 BST (UK)
Much better news on Fergusons now. 

It has been taken over by Jim McColl (Clyde Blowers) and will re-employ those made redundant.  Not only that but he has great plans to increase the workforce 4 fold over the next few years to meet new demands for ship building and in the renewables sector.

So not the end of a saga but new beginnings.  :)
Title: Re: Port-Glasgow Ship Builder Ferguson Brothers
Post by: DonM on Saturday 06 September 14 20:31 BST (UK)
A Robert Ferguson, Shipbuilder was at 26 Newark in Greenock per the 1915 & 20 Valuations.  St. Paul's Church Hall is shown as being next and then the Church. So at some time the numbers were changed and I suspect the house you seek is across the road from the Church hidden from view by the bushes.

No St. Brides in Greenock but there is in Cathcart, Paisley and Lochwinnoch but again no Ferguson's as any of the owners.

Don