I am looking for Josiah Gilray, born about 1879 Greenock, and if he may have migrated on an emigration scheme, or what become of him.
Josiah Gilray is found in the 1881 Census dwelling at, 6 Roslin Street, Greenock with his father James Gilray, mother Elizabeth Phillips, Catherine daughter born 1878. A death entry was found for a daughter Elizabeth is born 1876 but sadly died 4 months, old due to Bronchitis,
Mother Elizabeth died relatively young in 1883 aged 28 years old due to TB. Widower James Gilray eventually married a Isobella, and possibly unable to cope, or young Josiah found where he shouldn’t, is found in the Greenock Industrial School.
1891 census, Josiah Gilray is found in the 'Greenock Industrial Training School', listed as aged 12 years old, along with a long list of other boys.
I contacted the James Watt Library in Greenock, who gave me the following information taken from the Greenock Post Office Directory of 1891 and is the entry is headed
Greenock Ragged School Association:
It is the object of the Association to reclaim the neglected and destitute children of Greenock by affording them the benefit of a good common and Christian education, and training them to the habilts of regular industry so as to enable them to earn an honest livliehood and fit them for the duties of life.
The plan upon which the school is conducted is as follows: The children receive an allowance of food for their daily support; are instructed in reading, writing and arithmetic; trained to industry by employing them daily in such work as is suited to their years; and taught the truths of the Gospel, making the children receive suitable religious teaching.
Mysteriously, after 1891 Josiah disappears, he is not found in the 1901 census, no marriage, and no death records.
Indidentally, there is a marriage of a Josiah Gilray to Hannah Wilson on 23rd September, 1892. But suspect this is James Gilray's brother.
I understand, the boys were trained on ‘Industrial Training ships’, such as the ‘Cumberland’ which would have been moored on the Clyde, she was destroyed by a fire in 1889 and replaced by a ship called the ‘Empress’.
I have read, 'boys were trained for entry into both the Royal Navy and the Merchant Service. However, after the Royal Navy decided to accept only boys of good character, the training became more oriented towards the Merchant Navy'.
Does anyone know where I might find the records for children in Industrial Training Shcools, in Greenock, and how I might find further information, or even locate Josiah Gilray.
