Drowned in the Clyde in 1868

[inveryes]

Hi

Pretty gruesome eh?

My g-g-g-grandmother was found floating in the Clyde on 27th December 1868 by Alexander McPhee, N4 Marine Police.

I've found a piece in the Glasgow Herald the following day under the heading of "Body Found" and a description of her before she was identified.

Does anyone know any way I could go about finding out more about this? maybe police records of the incident?

Any help appreciated. 

[Chris5856]

I dont think the police record will have survived this length of time. Her body will have been taken to the city mortuary. There may be a chance that the mortuary admissions book may still be in existence. That would give details of name, age, last address, clothing worn, valuables and details of person identifying the body. I would give the Mitchell Library in Glasgow a visit or call.

Chris

[Chris5856]

Ps...welcome

[MonicaL]

Hi inveryes

Welcome from me too 

Not hopeful about you finding official records of the type you are looking for, in this period 

This is a useful general guide www.nas.gov.uk/guides/FAI.asp

Monica

[Sandymc47]

Hi there

Welcome to Rootschat

I think we have had a topic regarding this or a similar drowning in the Clyde in 1868.
The families name was Dunsmore.  Is this the same lady??
The post was put on here in February 2012.
If its not the same lady, I do apologise.
regards Sandymc

[MonicaL]

Rings a bell....

Can you add the link here to the earlier post just in case connected?

Monica

[inveryes]

Ps...welcome

Hi inveryes

Welcome from me too 

Monica

Hi there

Welcome to Rootschat

Thank you people. Nice friendly welcome 

The mortuary admissions book sounds like a good idea Chris.

I think you might be right Monica. I did contact George Parsonage of the Glasgow Humane Society to see if their records mentioned it, but no joy.

Sandy, she wasn't a Dunsmore but a Wright ( nee Milne )

See what you folks make of this description from the Glasgow Herald the following day:

Body Found Yesterday morning, the body of a woman was found floating in the river about a hundred yards below Messrs. Barclay, Curie(?) & Co.'s shipbuilding yard on the north side of the harbour. The body, which was removed to the Receiving House at Mavisbank Quay, appeared to have been two or three days in the water and was that of a woman about 40 years of age. Deceased was dressed in a black and blue head-dress, dark wincey dress, grey striped petticoat, dark cotton apron, dark wincey petticoat lined with white cotton and two flannel petticoats.

Now that's a lot of clothes, even for Glasgow in December, and it has been suggested that she might have been trying to make sure she drowned? Any thoughts?

[sancti]

Any additional info available on her death certificate or RCE?

[Sandymc47]

Hi again,

Poor woman.  I think you would have to look at her home life to imagine why she might
have jumped in the river. Only 40 she might have lost some of her children, she might
have become a widow and not been able to cope.  Maybe in debt. 
I doubt if everyone could swim in 1868 so maybe her clothese were to keep her warm.
Living through the 1950's I can tell you it was really cold even in Yorkshire as we didnt
have fitted carpets, central heating or hot water or a bath even.  So unless you ate well
it was very cold. 
I did read that in the length of time that has taken place it might be the newspaper article
that contains the only information about the event that you could find nowadays.
Also I think Scottish Law is different to the English and Welsh law so there might be
some difference because of that.
Hope you find something but might be worth checking her home life to say why.

regards Sandymc