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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Topic started by: scottishlad on Wednesday 19 February 25 13:15 GMT (UK)
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Does anybody know anything about the island of Islay in the 1850’s. I have some itinerant ancestors who had a child here in 1851 and I’m just trying to figure out why in the world they were there. Every other record has them between Glasgow and Edinburgh, Aberdeen…etc. Islay just seems so remote for a group of itinerant tinkers to be trekking out to. My first thought was my 4x great granduncle’s (who’s the head of the family in question) wife was from Ireland. Maybe they were visiting? Was Bowmore a common port of departure when trying to reach Ireland in the 1850’s? About 1 month later they’re in Glasgow for the 1851 census so they most likely were returning if that was the reason. Anyway just trying to see what others might think. Thank you!
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Sea travel was much easier than land travel because the roads were pretty bad - it was quite normal to travel from Aberdeen or Edinburgh by sea, for example - but Ireland to Glasgow via Islay seems rather a convoluted way to go, surely?
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Sea travel was much easier than land travel because the roads were pretty bad - it was quite normal to travel from Aberdeen or Edinburgh by sea, for example - but Ireland to Glasgow via Islay seems rather a convoluted way to go, surely?
I agree! Haha just trying to think of why they were there. Very out of the way compared to where the rest of the family usually traveled. I guess it’ll remain a mystery. Thank you for the reply!
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If they were travelling people, maybe they just fancied a change of scene?
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If they were travelling people, maybe they just fancied a change of scene?
True, just seems like it would have been an expense to head out there, and then 1 month later they’re back in Glasgow. Seems a bit out of the way is all but you never know. They certainly weren’t tied down anywhere so why not?