The Cowgate

[grandma]

Happy New year to all.

I,m interested in learning about the Cowgate in the 1800,s. Have just been reading the thread were it tells about the appalling conditions there in the 1800,s. Have tried googling but didn,t come up with much. Can anybody tell me where to look.


My paternal grandfather was born in the Cowgate in 1863, illigitmate son of a seemstress. He was taught by " the nuns" as the story goes. Must have been a bright scholar and went on to join the Royal Scots. Led a colorfull life in the army, with 10 years in India. In 1903 he took his family to Canada and homesteaded there and became a highly respected citizen. I remember seeing him when I was about 5 years old. How I wish I could talk to him to-day, to hear about his childhood. And how far he travelled, from the very dregs of the slums to the  prosperous farm on the praries.

Any info about the Cowgate is really appreciated.

Thanks,

Grandma

[Little Nell]

Both of the following sites have photos and/or engravings of the Cowgate in the 19th century.

http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_street/0_street_views_-_cowgate.htm

http://www.capitalcollections.org.uk/

Cowgate is quite dark as a street at the western end since it is overshadowed by the tall buildings built on the south side of the Royal Mile.  It leads to the Grassmarket which is in the metaphorical shadow of Edinburgh Castle.  During the 19th century it was overcrowded and many slum buildings were there. 

Nell

[lyndyloo6]

Hi There,
Just a thought that perhaps your grandfather went to the school attached to St Patricks RC School.  It was called St Annes and is a community centre at the moment.  St Patricks may have the records.  They had a very big influence on the Irish community that lived there.  Along at the other end of the Grassmarket was the Church of the Sacred Heart, which also had its own School, St Thomas.  If you google both churches it should come up with some info for you.
Our family also came from Irish imigrants and lived in the GRassmarket and Cowgate in abject poverty.  I have also worked in the area for several years and amamzed by some of the changes that have taken place there.

Kind regards,
Lynda

[grandma]

Hi Nell . Thanks for your reply. Had a look at some of the pictures and have a better idea of how the Cowgate  was.

Hi Lynda. Will look in to the schools, maybe there is some information there.

I,m interested to hear how life was in those days for the people living there. It can,t have been an easy life for them all with poverty and from what I understand a lot of drunkenness. My grandfather was one of 4 children born to his mother, all illigitimate. On his birth cert. she was a laundress and on a later census called herself a clotheshawker.

Is there any books or other information I could read about the life there?

Mary

[des_enzano]

Is there any books or other information I could read about the life there?
Mary

Hi Mary,

You might find something here: http://books.google.co.uk/books?q=Cowgate&btnG=Search+Books

George

[grandma]

Hi George.

Thanks for your reply, have had a quick look at that site.

What I,d like to find out is how those poor people lived and managed to survive in the slums of Edinburgh. My grandfather and one of his brothers escaped (?) and went on to a good life in Canada, but it would be interesting to hear about the ones who remained. I,m sure there must be some pretty awfull stories to tell.

Mary

[des_enzano]

This might not be exactly what you are looking for but I think you will find it of interest. http://www.oldandnewedinburgh.co.uk/volume4/page58.html. The pages can be enlarged and printed.

There is some more information here: http://gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/haynin/haynin1401.htm

George

[grandma]

Hi George.
Thanks for your reply. Yes interesting reading, also about the ragged schools. My grandfather was apparently taught in one of the RC schools in the 1870,s.
Mary