Waterloo Shops - Blyth

[Phodgetts]

Here's an interesting Laird tidbit;

http://www.inverclydeww1.org/honour-roll/john-laird

P

[Radcliff]

Superb response, I was in Blyth only last week on a flying visit,
to visit friends

[Battie99]

hello all.

As far as the family knows, Lairds was a pawnbroker,  jeweller and fabric sewing shop.

Alec was at sea in 1901
Applied for the pawnbroking licence in 1906.

Alex moved from Scotland to Jarrow to Blyth so the date on the shop is a bit of a mystery, so i'll keep working on that one.

At first glance I dont think the man in the photo is Alex Jnr but again some further investigation required.

Thank you so much Philip and everyone else, what a find indeed. Am delighted.

Just out of interest I am doing a photobook on John Laird as a bit of a project for my step daughter. John was born in Cimmassie Road but went to Canada when he was 16, he returned at 18 with the WW1 CEF recruits but tragically shot himself by accident in training.

Does anyone have any idea why in 1912 a young man if 16 might have gone off alone to Canada to farm?

Thanksbso much.

Helen

[Phodgetts]

I wonder with the Scottish connection if the family were somehow involved with Church and this. It would explain a lot;

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Qs3uIWGetJAC&pg=PA197&lpg=PA197&dq=went+to+canada+age+16+in+1912+to+be+a+farmer?&source=bl&ots=TBhme5J1XS&sig=CsrUGjzFFJRW4Dnwa-gHQUFklhU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAWoVChMIg-v4x6SXyQIVjFsUCh2Vnwdb#v=onepage&q=went%20to%20canada%20age%2016%20in%201912%20to%20be%20a%20farmer%3F&f=false

P

PS I'm glad you are so thrilled with the picture Helen. Glad to be able to assist. It is a joy when such gems come to light and can be added to a family tree. Makes it come alive.

[Michael Dixon]

 British children off to farming in Canada/Australia !

 There existed several government supported schemes to help prepare
 children for the new life.

 I have seen old photos of children in classroom being taught how to
 milk cows. Wooden cows were used.

 But I don't remember name of book.   Maybe Philip's archives can help!

 Michael

[Phodgetts]

I knew about Barnardo and many orphaned boys being trained up and sent abroad to Canada and other places to farm, but I wasn't aware of Cossar. I have no idea how or why John Laird might have got caught up with that excepting one of his parents had died, but his mother's sister came to help out with the family and his father was still alive, so an interesting story is to be told there I think.

P

[dolly dimples]

Once again well done P Hodgetts, your a walking book of knowledge, knew you'd come along and keep us right, thank's as ever, Dolly

[Phodgetts]

Hello Dolly........ there's a song about that you know! 

P

[Battie99]

Hi Philip

I've been in contact with family members and the photo is in the book 'The archive photographs series BLYTH' compiled by blyth local studies group, published by the chalford publishing company limited.

The photo indicates that the man in the picture is captain laird (that will be the young alex laird) and that it was taken circa 1920. So identity confirmed :-)

You previously said 1928, do we know for certainty that it was 1928?

The established date of 1890 is a real mystery though as alex senior was at sea (as far as we know), and the family didn't move to Blyth until after 1895, so i wondered if we had any rootschatters that can find a listing for the shop prior to 1914? 

Thank you so much.