Martha Cook, 1890s Govan, Glasgow

[RK]

In the 1890s, my great-grandmother Martha Cook ran a fish restaurant (perhaps an early fish & chip shop) in Govan, Glasgow. I'm told it may have been in Govan Road or nearby. She apparently got a lot of custom from the workers of Fairfield's shipyard nearby. She herself lived off Govan Road in Elder Street, right beside the shipyard. I can't find any references in the Glasgow directories to her shop. I've no photos to go on either. Can anyone give me any pointers ? Many thanks.

[prophetess]

Here are two links you could try, the fist is for the Govan library and gives you contact details, , I do know they have the newspapers and valuation books there, because i was there many years ago to do some reseach,  there is also the Govan Reminiscence society who if I remember right hold meetings at the Pearce Institute, I am sure they would steer you in the right direction if they did not have the information you require, the second link is Glasgow University, which may also be of intrest hope these help, I know that they are trying to preserve, a lot of what is left of the old Govan, Sadly changed from the days of my childhood.
Good Luck
http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Libraries/Librarylocations/elderparklibrary.htm

http://www.thegovanstory.co.uk/

sorry had to modify when i realized there IS another Govan elsewhere

[RK]

Many thanks for your reply. On my next day off I'll take a run over to Govan and follow up your suggestions. Cheers.

[prophetess]

Glad it has been of some help RK, Hope you find what your looking for,
the main place I remember going as a child was the lyceum cafe, which was always busy, and the only one that i really remember.
Good Luck

[RK]

Elder Park Library referred me to the Mitchell, so I checked there without success - yet. I did find Martha Cook in the 1881 valuation roll, but this was before she moved to Govan. Still to follow up your other suggestions. Took a handful of pics in Govan today, including the Lyceum Cafe. Any interest to you ?

[prophetess]

Sorry to hear they refered you to the Mitchell, Did Elder park Not have anything at all? it has been many years since i was there 7or 8 i think, but they had old newspapers on film and they brought out valuation books,
Mind you they way they ran about getting me the books I got the impression they had never been asked before,
it was good you got some photo's of Govan and that your trip was not totaly wasted,
yes a Photograph of the Lyceum Cafe would be nice thanks, take be back to my childhood, we often went in to the Lyceum, could I be so bold and ask where else you took photo's of?
Will wait until the weekend before giving you the email because its about to change tomorrow when we upgrade to 8 meg broadband,
Hope you did not have to travel to far to go to Govan
Sybil

[RK]

Have photos of Brechin's and Pearce statue, Brechin's cat, Lyceum Cafe, Lyceum (County Bingo !), and part of Elder Street.

[prophetess]

Thank you RK as long as you dont mind, it would be nice to have a copy of them, once I have my email address set up I will pm it to you, all being well tomorrow,
sybil