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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Angus (Forfarshire) => Topic started by: scottishmartin on Sunday 07 July 13 19:47 BST (UK)
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Hi All,
Does anyone know of any sources to find information on the following:
- Employee records for Jute Mills in dundee (Particularly mills around the Annfield Road area of Dundee) I have several generations of my family which were involved in the mills and it would be good to see a bit more detail about them if possible.
- Employee records for any Iron Works again in the Annfield Road area as I have an Iron Turner working in the area in the early 1900's.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Best Regards,
Martin
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For background, the previous thread is here:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,653069.0.html
Gadget
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For background, the previous thread is here:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,653069.0.html
Gadget
Not limited to just those few ancestors though. I'm looking at Forsyth's, Stewart's, Goodall's and Nicoll's from the Dundee area all association to the Jute and Iron trades.
Best Regards,
Martin
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Hi Martin
It might be worth listing the various ancestors with dates, etc., so that members can focus in on the ones that are relevant :)
From the last thread, the Goodalls were origianlly from Fife (Auchtermuchty/Kirkcaldy) and the Stewarts were from Dundee.
Gadget
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Hi Martin
It might be worth listing the various ancestors with dates, etc., so that members can focus in on the ones that are relevant :)
From the last thread, the Goodalls were origianlly from Fife (Auchtermuchty/Kirkaldy) and the Stewarts were from Dundee.
Gadget
Ofcourse, sorry I've listed a few below to get started - also looking for general sources of information as well though. I'm willing to put the effort in to research any leads, I don't expect everyone else to have to do all the work.
With regards to Iron Turners I have a William Nicoll Stewart born 2 November 1897 and lived at 10 Annfield Street, Dundee. He went to Chicago in the early 1920's to visit a friend by the name of Samuel Hall. Not sure on his return journey, however he married Isabella Forsyth in 17 September 1930 at Elmslea, Scoonie, Fife - therein they lived in Fife until William died in 1959 and Isabella in 1983. I know William also worked at the Balfour Iron Works in Leven at some point (probably later on in his life).
Slightly more generic on the Jute workers in Dundee - otherwise this post will go on for ever!
From the Stewarts I have -
William Reid Kennedy (Husband of William Nicoll Stewarts sister Jeanie) - Worked as a clerk first of all then a Mill Manager for A. Yule & Co in Calcutta, India.
James Stewart (William Stewarts Father) - Power Loom Tenter (Lived at 244 Blackness Road, Dundee) James was born 1864.
Jeanie Stewart (Nee Nicoll) (James Wife) - Jute Weaver Born 1864.
James's father John Stewart - Factory Overseer (Born 1841)
John's son Peter Stewart - Mill Mechanic (Born 1892)
Jeanie Nicoll's father James Nicoll - Yarn Dresser (Born 1838)
That's probably enough to get started with, any information greatly appreciated.
Let me know if you need anything clarified or more information.
Best Regards,
Martin
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Im related to Forsyth's from Dundee that worked at the Jutemills & Iron Foundry.
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Im related to Forsyth's from Dundee that worked at the Jutemills & Iron Foundry.
Hi grneyedgypsy,
I'd be interested in hearing more about your connection with the Forsyth's working in the Jute Mills and Iron Foundry. Although my Forsyth's originate from Fife, my connection is to the Stewart's from Dundee who married into my Forsyth family from Fife.
I'd be happy to share any information if there is a common connection somewhere along the line.
Best Regards,
Martin
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I emailed the Jute museum in Dundee to get an idea of where to go to get employment information and still have no reply. I know David West Leighton worked in Jute I think on the ships and haven't got a clue where to confirm.
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hi!
You should remember that a huge number of men from Dundee went to work in the mills in India. Also I have relatives who went from Dundee to Fife to work in the flaxmills.
Good luck with your jute workers Heritage...it's really fascinating!
Susan
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I emailed the Jute museum in Dundee to get an idea of where to go to get employment information and still have no reply. I know David West Leighton worked in Jute I think on the ships and haven't got a clue where to confirm.
Hi British Kiwi,
If he worked on the ships there may be records for him at the national archives. One of my ancestors (not related to the jute industry in Dundee) was a ships master and merchant seaman before that and I managed to get his voyage records and masters certificate through that route. Ancestry has the masters and mates certificates collection.
Do you have anymore info relating to David which I might be able to use to search for him (birth date/place etc..) ? Was West a middle name or surname?
With regards to the jute museum, you might also want to try the University of Dundee, I believe they hold some records to do with the Jute Mills. Let me know how you get on though, as I'd love to get to know more about this also.
Also as Susan mentions try looking at the passenger records on ancestry, I too had ancestors working in India originating from Dundee. I also have ancestors working the fife mills too, but not coming from Dundee.
Best Regards,
Martin
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Hi British Kiwi,
If he worked on the ships there may be records for him at the national archives. One of my ancestors (not related to the jute industry in Dundee) was a ships master and merchant seaman before that and I managed to get his voyage records and masters certificate through that route. Ancestry has the masters and mates certificates collection.
Do you have anymore info relating to David which I might be able to use to search for him (birth date/place etc..) ? Was West a middle name or surname?
With regards to the jute museum, you might also want to try the University of Dundee, I believe they hold some records to do with the Jute Mills. Let me know how you get on though, as I'd love to get to know more about this also.
Also as Susan mentions try looking at the passenger records on ancestry, I too had ancestors working in India originating from Dundee. I also have ancestors working the fife mills too, but not coming from Dundee.
Best Regards,
Martin
Thanks for that. I had been struggling to find him but had some luck with deceased online. Not too sure when he was born, but I now have him as deceased (or buried) 21 Dec 1906. I am going to go to our local library and see if I can find his birth records (I'm now based in Melbourne). I was under the impression that he was on the boats and he did go to India. He is my great-great-Grandfather and my Great-Grandmother Elizabeth Margaret Leighton was born in Crete on the way to NZ. I always thought he emigrated there. She did live there but was married back in Dundee. Two of her siblings lived in NZ, but trying to work out who was born in Dundee and who in NZ if any. The library should help. I will add these additional checks you have mentioned to my list, they sound promising, so thank you very much.
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Not a problem, do you have an age for him when he died and also a place? I did a quick search on ancestry using both west and leighton and had a few hits, but can't confirm them without a approx birth year.
I am reasonably local to Dundee so if you need any local research let me know. I intend to send a quick email to the University and Museum about my own ancestors connections, so will let you know if I get anything.
Best Regards,
Martin
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I'm after afraid all I know he is buried in western cemetery. I ran out the f credits and went back then my english side. Hopefully my library trick might solve sme mysteries.
Hope you have some luck with your family.
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Hi all ,
Not too sure when he was born, but I now have him as deceased (or buried) 21 Dec 1906.
Scotlandspeople has a death that may match the information from deceased online -
David West Leighton , death 1906 Midlothian , born c1854
ev
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Hi all ,
Not too sure when he was born, but I now have him as deceased (or buried) 21 Dec 1906.
Scotlandspeople has a death that may match the information from deceased online -
David West Leighton , death 1906 Midlothian , born c1854
ev
Thanks for that ev, you have given me a possible birth year :) I feel sorry that I have hijacked this post, oops. I'm getting confused with the Jute thing as my Dad was sure that is what he did but the only two documents I currently have (incl. reference to a Will on Scotlands People) says he worked for the Eastern Telegraph Coy in Crete. I was aware he went to Crete as his daughter was born there. I think he may have done both. I think I am going to bite the bullet and get more credits for Scotlands People. Not looking likely I will get to the library in the next day or so and I am itching to get some answers!! ;)
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Martin,
Have you seen the article on Iron Workers in Discover My Past magazine? It appeared in an edition several years ago. If not, PM me and I can look for details of the month/year it was published. From memory it contained details of sources that might be useful in tracing ironworkers.
Ikas
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Martin,
Have you seen the article on Iron Workers in Discover My Past magazine? It appeared in an edition several years ago. If not, PM me and I can look for details of the month/year it was published. From memory it contained details of sources that might be useful in tracing ironworkers.
Ikas
Hi Ikas,
Apologies for the delayed response, not been on for a couple of months. That article sounds fascinating - if you can find out the reference to the issue, please pass it on and i'll look it up!
Thanks again.
Martin
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Martin,
The article was in April 2010 issue of Discover My Past Scotland magazine. Have sent PM with further details of how to source it.
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Hi Martin
It might be worth listing the various ancestors with dates, etc., so that members can focus in on the ones that are relevant :)
From the last thread, the Goodalls were origianlly from Fife (Auchtermuchty/Kirkaldy) and the Stewarts were from Dundee.
Gadget
Ofcourse, sorry I've listed a few below to get started - also looking for general sources of information as well though. I'm willing to put the effort in to research any leads, I don't expect everyone else to have to do all the work.
With regards to Iron Turners I have a William Nicoll Stewart born 2 November 1897 and lived at 10 Annfield Street, Dundee. He went to Chicago in the early 1920's to visit a friend by the name of Samuel Hall. Not sure on his return journey, however he married Isabella Forsyth in 17 September 1930 at Elmslea, Scoonie, Fife - therein they lived in Fife until William died in 1959 and Isabella in 1983. I know William also worked at the Balfour Iron Works in Leven at some point (probably later on in his life).
Slightly more generic on the Jute workers in Dundee - otherwise this post will go on for ever!
From the Stewarts I have -
William Reid Kennedy (Husband of William Nicoll Stewarts sister Jeanie) - Worked as a clerk first of all then a Mill Manager for A. Yule & Co in Calcutta, India.
James Stewart (William Stewarts Father) - Power Loom Tenter (Lived at 244 Blackness Road, Dundee) James was born 1864.
Jeanie Stewart (Nee Nicoll) (James Wife) - Jute Weaver Born 1864.
James's father John Stewart - Factory Overseer (Born 1841)
John's son Peter Stewart - Mill Mechanic (Born 1892)
Jeanie Nicoll's father James Nicoll - Yarn Dresser (Born 1838)
That's probably enough to get started with, any information greatly appreciated.
Let me know if you need anything clarified or more information.
Best Regards,
Martin
I'm very new to this so please forgive! (also rather late as I only just stumbled upon this thread.)
I'm Duncan Kennedy, son of William Reid Kenned and Jean Nicol Stewart. My mother and I lived at 244 Blackness Road with my mother's sisters while my father worked in India - my mother joined him every 18 months. I was born in Calcutta and lived in Budge Budge until 1944.
One of the two sisters was Jessie (Jan) Hall (nee Stewart) wife of Sam Hall also mentioned above. Sam was a fitter turner with brass turners in Dundee - I have the name somewhere because I have their wedding present to Sam and Jan, a still largely wrapped canteen of cutlery with a letter of best wishes. Sam left for the US immediately after the wedding to make enough for Jan to join him. On is way back to collect her he died on board ship from pneumonia,
Just noticed - William Nicol Stewart was my Uncle Will, mother's older brother and Sam Hall's brother-in-law and, of course, Isabella Forsyth was my Auntie Bella. They lived in Leven and had two daughters, Isobel and Jean. Jean is still alive, I believe.
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Hi Martin
It might be worth listing the various ancestors with dates, etc., so that members can focus in on the ones that are relevant :)
From the last thread, the Goodalls were origianlly from Fife (Auchtermuchty/Kirkaldy) and the Stewarts were from Dundee.
Gadget
Ofcourse, sorry I've listed a few below to get started - also looking for general sources of information as well though. I'm willing to put the effort in to research any leads, I don't expect everyone else to have to do all the work.
With regards to Iron Turners I have a William Nicoll Stewart born 2 November 1897 and lived at 10 Annfield Street, Dundee. He went to Chicago in the early 1920's to visit a friend by the name of Samuel Hall. Not sure on his return journey, however he married Isabella Forsyth in 17 September 1930 at Elmslea, Scoonie, Fife - therein they lived in Fife until William died in 1959 and Isabella in 1983. I know William also worked at the Balfour Iron Works in Leven at some point (probably later on in his life).
Slightly more generic on the Jute workers in Dundee - otherwise this post will go on for ever!
From the Stewarts I have -
William Reid Kennedy (Husband of William Nicoll Stewarts sister Jeanie) - Worked as a clerk first of all then a Mill Manager for A. Yule & Co in Calcutta, India.
James Stewart (William Stewarts Father) - Power Loom Tenter (Lived at 244 Blackness Road, Dundee) James was born 1864.
Jeanie Stewart (Nee Nicoll) (James Wife) - Jute Weaver Born 1864.
James's father John Stewart - Factory Overseer (Born 1841)
John's son Peter Stewart - Mill Mechanic (Born 1892)
Jeanie Nicoll's father James Nicoll - Yarn Dresser (Born 1838)
That's probably enough to get started with, any information greatly appreciated.
Let me know if you need anything clarified or more information.
Best Regards,
Martin
I'm very new to this so please forgive! (also rather late as I only just stumbled upon this thread.)
I'm Duncan Kennedy, son of William Reid Kenned and Jean Nicol Stewart. My mother and I lived at 244 Blackness Road with my mother's sisters while my father worked in India - my mother joined him every 18 months. I was born in Calcutta and lived in Budge Budge until 1944.
One of the two sisters was Jessie (Jan) Hall (nee Stewart) wife of Sam Hall also mentioned above. Sam was a fitter turner with brass turners in Dundee - I have the name somewhere because I have their wedding present to Sam and Jan, a still largely wrapped canteen of cutlery with a letter of best wishes. Sam left for the US immediately after the wedding to make enough for Jan to join him. On is way back to collect her he died on board ship from pneumonia,
Just noticed - William Nicol Stewart was my Uncle Will, mother's older brother and Sam Hall's brother-in-law and, of course, Isabella Forsyth was my Auntie Bella. They lived in Leven and had two daughters, Isobel and Jean. Jean is still alive, I believe.
Hi Duncan,
Thank you so much for getting in touch! You probably won't know me, but I am grandson of Isobel Stewart - William Nicoll Stewart is my great grandfather.
You are indeed correct in thinking Jean is still alive, my gran Isobel died in 2003 - she left a bunch of old photographs and letters from your mum, which led me to finding out about the mill and India. There's too many to post it all here but I'd be glad to share it with you.
Look forward to catching up.
Best Wishes,
Martin
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Hi Martin
Thanks for your reply - that explains it. We exchange cards with Jean every Christmas. I guess Isobel passed on as cards stopped - she was a bit older than me.
I would be delighted to catch up but haven't the faintest notion of how to get in touch - I did say I ws very new to this.
Cheers
Duncan
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Hi Duncan,
You certainly have the hang of this site, very quick reply.
Where are you living these days? We are just up the road from Jean in Kennoway, Fife.
My mum Susan Laing (nee Dryburgh) says her memories are of her mum Isobel talking about you when she was young. I have quite a few photos if you from when you were in India and you are mentioned in letters.
Best Wishes,
Martin
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We're not so far away - Dalgety Bay.
I have dim memories of meeting your mum when she was a young teenager - probably at a funeral or a wedding - she was very like her mother at around the same age or a little older.
If you would like to take this to email I'll keep my address off here but suggest you try Google for my old and very out of date business site which I have kept for technical reasons (I retired, more or less, last year). You'll find an address that I check daily there. The business was Otterson Business Graphics.
Cheers
Duncan
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Hi Martin
Seems I was barking up the wrong tree with my ancestors! It wasn't David Leighton that was in Jute, but his father-in-law Michael Ferrier. He was Mill manager at Law Mill Dundee. I also think he was based in Calcutta and Candahar (sp?). I am downloading a lot of newspaper articles about him whilst the free weekend is on, so need to piece them together. Struggling to find Law Mill online, have you heard of it?
Mel
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Hi Martin
Seems I was barking up the wrong tree with my ancestors! It wasn't David Leighton that was in Jute, but his father-in-law Michael Ferrier. He was Mill manager at Law Mill Dundee. I also think he was based in Calcutta and Candahar (sp?). I am downloading a lot of newspaper articles about him whilst the free weekend is on, so need to piece them together. Struggling to find Law Mill online, have you heard of it?
Mel
Hi Mel,
Apologies for the delayed response, I've not been on here for a bit.
I've just researched "Law Mill" for your - my first instinct knowing parts of Dundee reasonably well was that it must be near Dundee Law (This is an extinct volcano formed around 400 million years ago, the 572-foot peak is the city's most distinctive landmark).
With that idea in mind I set about researching the area local to the Law Hill and found Lawside Works which sits just north east of the Law Hill. Looking back the maps I found it was called Lawside Works from the early 1900's all the way through into the last map available for the 1940's. It is now a housing development located on the corner of Paterson Street and Milton Street in Dundee. I found the planning application for the new houses which was early 2000's.
I then proceeded to look more into the Mill and found it was called Law Mill on the map dated 1885.
From looking up on the RCAHMS website I found the following which suggests it was built in the 1830's. http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/68115/details/dundee+milton+street+lawside+jute+spinning+and+dye+works/ (http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/68115/details/dundee+milton+street+lawside+jute+spinning+and+dye+works/)
Links to maps are as follows:
1885 - http://maps.nls.uk/view/74478924 (http://maps.nls.uk/view/74478924)
1903 - http://maps.nls.uk/view/82884861 (http://maps.nls.uk/view/82884861)
1922 - http://maps.nls.uk/view/82884864 (http://maps.nls.uk/view/82884864)
1941 - http://maps.nls.uk/view/82884867 (http://maps.nls.uk/view/82884867)
It isn't marked on the 1865 map (http://maps.nls.uk/view/74426931 (http://maps.nls.uk/view/74426931)) but Lawmill Cottages seems to suggest it existed.
This map of 1857 shows in good detail the different parts of the mill. http://maps.nls.uk/view/74415299 (http://maps.nls.uk/view/74415299)
Hope that helps, let me know if you have any questions.
Best Regards,
Martin
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Hi martin
thank you so much for that. I haven't had a chance to look at it fully but it is very exciting. Ihe did live at Law Mill Cottages once so it will be great to see where he lived.
Thanks once again
Mel
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Fior an insight into Dundee folk working in the Calcutta jute mills,
"A Home by the Hooghly", by Eugenie Fraser.
Skoosh.
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Just to add my wee bit to the Lawside works story.
If you look at the 1941 map, you will see to the left of Lawside works that there is a Rockwell works. This was owned by the Boase Spinning Company, and I served my apprenticeship as an electrician there from 1964 to 1968.
Lawside works was part of the South Mills group, which also included Boase Spinning Company, and as part of my apprenticeship, I spent some time in Lawside works as well!
The Last time I was in Dundee was a few years ago, and Rockwell works was completely demolished and housing built in it's place. Lawside works seemed to still be in use at that time, but I can't say what's there now.
The other 2 mills which were in the South Mills group were Garden works in Benvie road, which is also now housing, and South Mills itself, which is still standing, but has been converted to flats.
I left Dundee in 1969 to join the Merchant Navy, and I haven't worked in that city since.
Hope this is of some interest to you guys.
Jim
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Update-
Had a look on Google maps streetview, and it seems lawside works has been partially demolished and housing built in it's place. The remaining part is also now converted to flats.
I hardly recognised the place!
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Thanks Jim, that is great extra information. I'm working on a project at the moment but I want to examine my Ferriers afterwards and especially those old maps.
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hello. I am researching the jute mills of Dundee, particularly those belonging to Chalmers and Hackney, North Tay Street. the big Tay St Mills were owned in the late 1840's I believe by the Gilroys, I think this was the mill owned originally by Boyack. can anyone tell me where were the Chalmers Hackney mills in relation to this enormous mill?
(William Hackney and Charles Chalmers were the early mill owners and I would also love more information as to how they started this mill. )
thank you.