Robert and Margaret Young.....

[nelmit]

Hello Rachel,

Poorhouse application dated 30/5/1857
29/4/1858

Name - Robert and Margaret Herdman Young
Address - 42 James Street, Calton
Country of birth - Scotland, New Vennel, Glasgow
Married, age 27, Turner.
Weekly earnings 22/- when he got unwell.

Wholly disabled - Sent to Gartnavel.
Dependants - Margaret Herdman Young age 27 born in Barrack St, Glasgow, ?pregnant?
Children
Catherine 5y 8m b. Grahamston Road, Falkirk
Amelia 4y 1 m b. Barrack Street Glasgow
Marg. 2y 10m b. Sir Michael St, Greenock
Isabella 1y 3m b. Moore st. Glasgow (died 19th Oct. 1857)
Robert b. October 1857 in 42 James St Barony.

1858 May 18th Is now on our yellow ....... at 5/- weekly.

Married 31st December 1850 - lines seen.

Pronounced insane. Sent to lunatic asylum from Calton Police Station.

Parents' names - Robert Young and Amelia Fisken.
Father residing at 49 Tureen Street.
Birth found in Glasgow Sessional Records 28th April 1831.
His mother is dead.

1858 20/5 Young brought from Barnhill by Mrs Hobbs under warrant.
1878 June died in poorhouse.

REgards,
Annette M

[Rachel]

nelmit. ''Curioser and curioser'' Robert's father died in 1861 just after the 1861 census was taken, he was living as a member of his daughter's household at Castle Street Glasgow.His mother was still alive and did not die until 1873 still living with her married daughter at the same address.
I am very grateful for all this information although it always seems so sad when you find out about your family under these circumstances.
Regards Annette.
Rachel

[DavidWW]

Very many of the poor relief inspectors' reports that survive tell of very sad circumstances, but where would we be without some of the genealogically vital links which these records contain, of which there is no record elsewhere?, not least places of birth in Ireland down to the level of the townland which don't appear in the decennial censuses, - but then sometimes those same reports give a level of insight to the details of the very hard and unfortunate lives of our ancestors...........

It is genuinely the case that the various Glasgow poor relief records were within days of being removed from the deep basement of the City Chambers where they had recently been discovered, and were en route to the incinerator in order to free up space for the storage of more recent records, when the then city archivist, Andrew Jackson, was made aware of the discovery of this material and, to use a guid Glaswegian expression, said "Haud oan a meenut!!" ...... only following which we now have access to these invaluable records following their listing, cataloguing and indexing.................

David

[nelmit]

nelmit. ''Curioser and curioser'' Robert's father died in 1861 just after the 1861 census was taken, he was living as a member of his daughter's household at Castle Street Glasgow.His mother was still alive and did not die until 1873 still living with her married daughter at the same address.
I am very grateful for all this information although it always seems so sad when you find out about your family under these circumstances.
Regards Annette.
Rachel

Mmmmm very strange Rachel. I've seen 'wee fibs' before but I see no reason to say his mother is dead when she isn't. Maybe I've got it wrong.

It was fairly clear as far as handwriting went but obviously started in 1857 and updated throughout the application (which is unusual).
ie Robert's birth details was in order with the other children but he wasn't even born when the first application was made.

Out of interest I'll take a note and look again when I'm next at the Mitchell.

Regards,
Annette M

[Rachel]

Thank you David . I agree that it is fortunate that someone had the presence of mind to save these records.

Annette. I have another wee conundrum to put to you.
Isabella Young was born the 12th of February 1856 and her birth was registered by her father Robert on the 23rd Feb.
Isabella died on October 17th 1857 at 11-30 pm and her death was registered by her father Robert on the 20th October.
Son Robert was born on the 17th October 1857 at 2hr 30m am.
his birth was registered by his mother Margaret on November 27th.
Father Robert must have been at home when Isabella died as under his signature it says 'present' it can be assumed therefore that he was at home when Robert was born about 21 hours before.
I can only think that he was allowed out for his son's birth or perhaps his daughter was already gravely ill as her D/C reads " as testified by ? Robb surgeon who saw her ? October 16.
I can only think that the 17th October was traumatic for this family and may have tipped Robert over the edge.

[Rachel]

Back again Nelmit. hate to keep banging away at this but something else has turned up in respect of Catherine Young.
On the 1861 census just come on line I have found a Catherine Young age 9 as a pupil at:- 707 Gallowgate registeration district High Church Parish of St John. The place is named:-
Protestant Orphan Institute. I have a hunch that this is the Catherine who is possibly incorrectly registered under her grandparents names.
I appreciate that you obtained details of her father Robert Youngs' registeration in the Glasgow poorhouse, is it possible to obtain such information about Catherine in this institute. If not I would appreciate any advice you can give.
Regards rachel.

[nelmit]

Back again Nelmit. hate to keep banging away at this but something else has turned up in respect of Catherine Young.
On the 1861 census just come on line I have found a Catherine Young age 9 as a pupil at:- 707 Gallowgate registeration district High Church Parish of St John. The place is named:-
Protestant Orphan Institute. I have a hunch that this is the Catherine who is possibly incorrectly registered under her grandparents names.
I appreciate that you obtained details of her father Robert Youngs' registeration in the Glasgow poorhouse, is it possible to obtain such information about Catherine in this institute. If not I would appreciate any advice you can give.
Regards rachel.

Hello Rachel,

Don't apologise - I like a good mystery and hopefully we'll be able to piece it all together.

I don't know about the orphan institute but it sound like something The Mitchell would hold. I'll ask tomorrow when I visit.

Regards,
Annette M