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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Fife => Topic started by: Citizen Smith on Tuesday 14 August 12 10:47 BST (UK)

Title: James Low Drowning Cardenden 1921
Post by: Citizen Smith on Tuesday 14 August 12 10:47 BST (UK)

I am trying to find out some more information about an infant drowning in 1921.

The baby's name was James Matthew Robertson Low. His parents were Alexander Stewart Low and Joan Robertson.  He died from "drowning - asphyxia" at 16 Balgonie Terrace in Cardenden on October 25th 1921.

There are a couple of different family stories about this and not sure if they are true. One version says he drowned in a river and the other that he drowned in a wash-house.  The drowning was probably an accident but is it possible that it might have been mentioned in the newspapers of the time?

I can't find any mention but wondered if anyone else knew of this incident?

Sarah

Title: Re: James Low Drowning Cardenden 1921
Post by: JSHC on Tuesday 14 August 12 13:43 BST (UK)

There is a small article in the Dunfermline Journal on 29 October 1921

Drowned in Wash Tub
Child’ Death At Jamphlars
James Low, aged one year and eight months, son of Alexander Stewart Low, hutch-mender, 16 Balgonie terrace, Jamphlars, met his death while at play on Tuesday afternoon.
The child had apparently been amusing himself with a stick at a tub of water in the washing-house adjoining his home and during his mother’s absence had fallen into the water, which was nine inches deep.
The mother, on returning, found the body of the child, and Dr Low, who was immediately summoned, declared life to be extinct.

Title: Re: James Low Drowning Cardenden 1921
Post by: Citizen Smith on Wednesday 15 August 12 10:16 BST (UK)

Thanks so much for that information. Clears up the mystery!

Can you tell me where you can access Fife newspapers? I haven't found any online (except for the Dundee Courier and Scotsman) and am based in Glasgow but would be helpful if I knew where is best to go when visiting? 

Thanks

Sarah

Title: Re: James Low Drowning Cardenden 1921
Post by: JSHC on Wednesday 15 August 12 10:49 BST (UK)

Ancestry have the Dunfermline Journal from 1851-1931 but the scan quality is not great and there is no search.  For online Scottish papers you should join either Glasgow libraries or the National Library of Scotland and you will get free access to the Scotsman and the 19th century British Library collection.  Otherwise I would suggest a trip to Dunfermline/Kirkcaldy or Edinburgh and you can view microfilm versions in the libraries

HTH
Joyce

Title: Re: James Low Drowning Cardenden 1921
Post by: Citizen Smith on Wednesday 15 August 12 10:53 BST (UK)

Cheers Joyce - I access that through Glasgow Libraries already. It was just handy we had a specific date in this instance.

Thanks again, much appreciated.

Sarah