I was looking through some Dumfries Sheriff Court processes the other day (on the hunt for ‘paternity’ cases) and came across a case innocuously entitled Jones v Lochmaben. As this bundle of folded papers tied up with string was larger than the others and appeared to contain some sort of notebook I untied the string to have a nose inside.
This lengthy case was regarding the ‘Nuisances Removal (Scotland) Act 1856’. It would seem that far from being the picturesque holiday destination that it is today, back in 1866 Lochmaben had a big problem with dung, pigsties and general filth.
Amongst the items was a large document entitled: “Report of list of Nuisances in the Burgh of Lochmaben on 6th and 7th November 1866”.
I have written more about this document, including transcribing some excerpts on my blog where I also have a link to an index:
http://scottishgenealogyblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/lochmabenfilth.htmlIf you are researching your Lochmaben forebears and see an entry relating to your family please get in touch and I will email you the full account relating to them.
Emma