St Mungo Cemetery

[tika]

I have a burial record of Jean Gordon, wife of John McNeil, Weaver who died 29th March, 1844 aged 45 yrs..  It shows she is buried in common ground in St. Mungo Cemetery.   Can anyone tell me if someone buried in common ground would have a stone erected?  Also where exactly St. Mungo's is situated.  I assume it is in the Gorbals area. Any info would be appreciated.  Her husband John did not die until 1867 in the city poorhouse so assume they didn't have much money.  Where would I find the poorhouse records to see if they give any more info on him as he is registered without parents being shown?

Thanks.

[RJ_Paton]

The St Mungo Burial Ground was near Glasgow Cathedral

The area adjoins Castle Street on the East and lies between Royal Infirmary and the Asylum for the Blind.

The Poor Law Records are not available online but can be viewed at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow.

[RJ_Paton]

The same area today - the second image shows the relative position of the City Poorhouse to the burial ground (the Poorhouse was situated in the top left corner area of this image) if the family were from the Gorbals area originally it is possible that this death occurred in the Poorhouse

[tika]

Thanks for the taking the trouble to post the map and aerial photos.  On the burial record for Jane Gordon her residence is shown as Soho Square which I presume is close to St. Mungo's.  Her husband was a weaver so obviously they had little money.

Regards

Morag

[Billy Anderson]

I have a burial record of Jean Gordon, wife of John McNeil, Weaver who died 29th March, 1844 aged 45 yrs..  It shows she is buried in common ground in St. Mungo Cemetery.   Can anyone tell me if someone buried in common ground would have a stone erected?  Also where exactly St. Mungo's is situated.  I assume it is in the Gorbals area. Any info would be appreciated.  Her husband John did not die until 1867 in the city poorhouse so assume they didn't have much money.  Where would I find the poorhouse records to see if they give any more info on him as he is registered without parents being shown?

Thanks.

Hi Morag,
You would not normally find a gravestone for ancestor,s buried in common ground.
In the case of my great grand parents of the 4 people buried in the burial plot (as often is the case) there is one person who is not related to the other 3 buried there.
The fact that your ancestors are buried in common ground would come down to cost as it was expensive to be buried and even more expensive to have a grave stone.
The bigger the gravestone/crypt the more wealthy you were.
regards,Billy.

[RJ_Paton]

Thanks for the taking the trouble to post the map and aerial photos.  On the burial record for Jane Gordon her residence is shown as Soho Square which I presume is close to St. Mungo's.  Her husband was a weaver so obviously they had little money.

Regards

Morag

I must admit that I haven't heard of Soho Square although there was a Soho Street which ran off of Gallowgate in the East End of the City - possibly within 1 mile of the burial ground.

Although weaving was once one of the main trades of Glasgow and surrounding areas (nearby Calton was established primarily as a centre of weaving) by the 1840's it was well on the downward trend.

Have a read at

1. 19th Century   Weavers

2. Weavers Strike

3. Glasgow Trades Houses
 

[tika]

Thanks for your links - had a read at them.   John McNeil was born at Arnot Hall, Lanark around 1800 (Taken from census).  I have been unable to trace Arnot Hall or his birth.   However I found 6 siblings born around Cadder, Barony and Glasgow.  I have managed to trace his parents with difficulty as they are not shown on his death extract.   His son married a cousin so was able to trace her side back and found John's parents as Lachlan mcNeill and Jean Martin.  I even have Lachlan's death but cannot get back another generation.   Lachlan was a foreman Dyer so obviously in the weaving trade and was married at New Monkland in Feb 1797 (just after the weaver's strike).  I was always told the McNeill's came from Barra but can't trace them any further back.  However to get back over 200 years is good.

Regards

Morag

[RJ_Paton]

If you can manage to get to the Mitchell Library to look at the Poor Records you may get more information.

[sancti]

Hi Morag

I wonder if his birthplace might be Annathill, which is not far from New Monkland