Friday 31 July 2015

News from the villages ................


In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the Saturday July 31 1915 issue):
 
This week I'm highlighting snippets of news from several of the small villages in west Fife:
 
Crossgates

Several cases of fever have been lately reported and the outcry against the insanitary conditions of the burn running through the village has again been raised.

Donibristle

The mission sabbath school children had their picnic to Aberdour on Saturday.  Unfortunately the weather proved unfavourable.  Better fortune attended the teachers who had their drive on Wednesday to Leven when the weather was dry and delightful.

Limekilns and Charlestown

A somewhat alarming train crash occurred at Charlestown Station near Dunfermline on Monday.  A goods train was approaching the station down a steep incline when the brakes failed to hold and the engine dashed into the permanent buffers at the east end of the station.   The engine and eight wagons were derailed whilst several of the wagons were smashed.  The driver and fireman of train jumped clear.  The contents of the wagons included live shells and it is a miracle that an explosion did not occur.  The passenger traffic had to be diverted on Monday to the goods station.




Crombie and Charlestown

In Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Monday proof was to have been led in an action for compensation at the instance of Mrs Isabella Addison or Readie widow and Catherine Finlayson spinster Stable Row, Charlestown against Messrs C R Taylor and company, electrical engineers, Crombie Explosive Works.  Pursuers are the mother and stepsister respectively of Charles Readie labourer who was killed by an overhead crane falling on him last December.  Pursuers claimed the sum of £195 representing 3 years earnings and have accepted the sum of £100 with modified expenses.

[Crombie Munition Works as it was latterly known only closed a few years ago]

Torryburn

Sheriff Umpherston heard evidence in Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday in a poaching prosecution at the instance of Dr Nasmyth.  The accused party was Alexander Kirkwood miner Main Street Torryburn and it was alleged against him that in a field known as Meadow Park on Torrie estate he trespassed in pursuit of game and killed a rabbit. Mr A P Macbain solicitor prosecuted and the accused who tendered a plea of not guilty was defended by Mr P McLeod.  The defence was that the accused had a permit from the tenant of the field and the point in law was whether the tenant was such a tenant under the Ground Game Act of 1881 as to entitle him to issue a permit to kill rabbits.  No evidence was produced showing the nature of the tenant's holding and the Sheriff adjourned the case until Monday in order that such evidence might be forthcoming.

Saline

Mr James Bennett son of Mr D Bennett merchant has been successful in passing the examination held in London recently for the Associateship of the Royal Institute of British Architects.  Mr Bennett acquired his early professional training in the office of Mr Houston, Dunfermline and is at present engaged in Glasgow with Sir John Burnett.


Tune in next week to see what happened in Dunfermline next week 100 years ago ..........

Blog written by Jacqueline Hunter of Ancestral Research by Jacqueline, Dunfermline, Scotland. Please email me at jacquelinehunter895@gmail.com if I can help you with your family history research.




 

Friday 24 July 2015

A mysterious burglary and an obituary


In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the Saturday July 24 1915 issue):

A mysterious burglary

A burglary of a mysterious character has been perpetrated at the garage in Comely Park Place occupied by Rev I O Critchley.  Mr Critchley is at present on active service as chaplain at the Dardanelles.  Mrs Critchley had been away from home for several weeks and on her return had occasion to visit the garage which is situated beside several buildings for a similar purpose along a lane a considerable distance from the house.  She was astonished to find that the door had been burst open.  Further investigation disclosed that the car showed unmistakable signs of having been used.  In fact it was slightly damaged and a quantity of petrol had vanished.  The mileage instrument also proved that the car had travelled a good distance.  The police are interesting themselves in the matter.



Obituary

Many Dunfermline residents interested in social reform and religious work feel the city has been made much poorer by the death of Miss Mary Ferguson, Maitland Street.  Miss Ferguson had reached the age of 80 years but advancing years did not weaken her sympathies with or restrain her activities in behalf of good causes. Her rule of life was service for the benefit of others.  The varied benevolent work she carried out was always performed with a cheerfulness of spirit that put doubt or despair to shame.  Not a few of the most devoted and most efficient members of the British Women's Temperance Association owe their inspiration to the example and character of Miss Ferguson.

This week's genealogy challenge

Can you find out anything about either Rev I O Critchley or Miss Ferguson?  Please leave a comment or e-mail me ..........

Tune in next week to see what happened in Dunfermline next week 100 years ago ..........

Blog written by Jacqueline Hunter of Ancestral Research by Jacqueline, Dunfermline, Scotland. Please email me at jacquelinehunter895@gmail.com if I can help you with your family history research.

Friday 17 July 2015

Children's Gala and the Police Court

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the Saturday July 17 1915 issue):
This week I've highlighted another name-rich resource I've found (see afterwards for an expanation if you're not familar with the concept of a 'gala') and also, for those who like to read about criminals ( otherwise known as the after-effects of the weekend's revelry), a police court report.
Children's Gala, Kelty
The annual gala was held on Saturday in the public park where all the children of school age met numbering over 1000.  They were formed into sections with with the co-operation of the teaching staff and a large committee they were provided with a substantial refreshment and a gift of 3d each after which a large number of races and other entertainments were entered into.  The football competitions were all keenly contested for which handsome prizes were offered there being an entry of 35 teams for the three sections.  There were also a number of special races for boys and girls over 12 years of age.  The following are the principal prize-winners:- 100 yards race - 1 T Henderson, 2 Hy Henderson, 3 John Cuthbert 220 yards race - 1 Henderson, 2 Hutchison, 3 J A Morrison.  Half mile race 1 Henderson, 2 Hutchison, 3 Wm Brown.  High jump - 1 A Cowan 3 ft 10 in, 2 Henderson 3ft 9 in, 3 J Anderson 3 ft 8 in.  Broad jump - 1 Henderson 12 ft 5 in, 2 Hutchison 12ft 3 in, 3 Anderson 12 ft.  Hop, step and leap - 1 Henderson 30ft 4 in, 2 Cowan 29 ft 2 in, 3 Hutchison 29 ft 1 1/2 in.  100 yards girls' race - 1 Mary Patrick, 2 Lizzie Adams, 3 Marie Hailstones.  50 yards girls' race - 1 A Cameron, 2 G Wilson, 3 A Pane.  100 yards boys' race (under 12 years) - 1 Bertie Galloway, 2 A Anderson, 3 T Adams.  All the winners were presented with suitable prizes while in addition to this T Henderson was presented with a gold medal for having gained most points in each of the events while H Hutchison received a silver medal as runner up.  The Kelty and Blairadam Brass Band were present during the afternoon and discoursed a programme of music while Mr Jospeh King's Troupe of  dancers gave an exhibition of Highland dancing.  A squad of the St Andrews Red Cross Ambulance were present in order to render assistance if called upon.  The weather was fine but general regret was expressed that the procession was not held as in former years.  Thanks are due to Mr Rattray the chairman and others for the way in which the whole arrangements were carried through.
[A gala is a week long celebration still very popular in West Fife which tends to be hald in June or July in both towns and villages.  It tends to consist, nowdays, of various events each evening during the week such as barbecues, pet shows and dances, then on the Saturday children are chosen as the Royal party for the day, there will be a parade of floats ie decorated lorries and also people on foot and then an afternoon of races and displays.  I recently watched a video from 1932 of the Dunfermline Children's Gala and it was very similar to what happens nowadays: http://ssa.nls.uk/film/1360 ]
Inverkeithing Police Court
On Monday the following cases were disposed of before Baillie Wylie - Bernard Burns and Patrick O'Donnell were both charged with being drunk and disorderly and in each case a fine of 15s was imposed with the option of 10 days imprisonment.  Thomas Callum for being drunk and incapable was fined 5s or 5 days.  Robert Bryce was fined 2s 6d or 5 days for committing an obstruction.  For cimmitting a breach of the peace Patrick Ferry was fined 10s or ten days.  On Tuesday Peter McGovern was sentenced a to a fine of 10s or 10 days for breach of the peace.
Tune in next week to see what happened in Dunfermline next week 100 years ago ..........

Blog written by Jacqueline Hunter of Ancestral Research by Jacqueline, Dunfermline, Scotland. Please email me at jacquelinehunter895@gmail.com if I can help you with your family history research.

Friday 10 July 2015

Sunday School Prize Giving


In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the Saturday July 10 1915 issue):

I've noticed since I started this blog that there are lots of name rich articles in the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser from 100 years ago.  If you are researching a family from Dunfermline you would be able to find out amazing details about their lives especially if their name is relatively unusual and you can work out the time period they would have been attending school, which area they lived in etc etc.

This week I am being slightly self-indulgent!  I'm a Sunday School teacher and last Sunday my church held the annual book presentations for the children who attend Sunday School.  I've found a Sunday School prize-giving list from 100 years ago for comparison:

Inverkeithing - Special Children's Service

A special service for the Sabbath School children was held in the UF church, Inverkeithing on Sunday evening when the children were presented with prizes for the session just ended.  The Rev Mr Bryce who conducted the service addressed the children and distributed the prizes as follows:

For regular attendance during the session: Colin Morris, Edward M'Queen, James Morris, Charles Barr, Alexander Taylor, Andrew Dalziel, John Ferguson, David Armit, Gavin Henderson, John Morris, James Horsburgh, Bertie Telford, Robert Robertson and James Cherrie; Mary Robertson, Mary Dalziel, Jan Ferguson, Lizzie Armit, Bethia Armit, Lizzie Robertson, Maggie M'Queen, Cathie Cousin, Missy (?) Mynard, Robina Armit, Maggie Marshall, Hannah Morris, Betty Horsburgh, May Telford, Lizzie M'Queen, Jessie Cousin, Cissie (?) Armit, Annie Blake, May M'Creary, Barbara McGregor.

Annie Blake and May M'Creary who had attended the Sabbath School for seven and six years respectively with perfect regularity were awarded special prizes.

The following scholars gained certificates at the Sabbath School examination: Senior section Ella Carr 1st; Dorothy Hay 1st.  Middle section Cisey Armitt 1st; Mary Donnelly 1st; Ella Horsburgh 1st; Chrissie Carr 1st; Betty Bryan 1st; Andrew Hay 1st; John Morris 1st; James Horsburgh 1st; Mary Stoddart 2nd.



This week's family history challenge is can you find anything out about any of these children?  My personal thought would be to choose perhaps a family with an unusual surname, find them in the 1911 census and then do a little digging backwards ..............

Tune in next week to see what happened in Dunfermline next week 100 years ago ..........
Blog written by Jacqueline Hunter of Ancestral Research by Jacqueline, Dunfermline, Scotland. Please email me at jacquelinehunter895@gmail.com if I can help you with your family history research.

Friday 3 July 2015

School prizes and a DCM for a Dunfermline man

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the Saturday July 3 1915 issue):

School prizes

Crossford school:

A programme of part songs, solos and recitations were carried out with great spirit to the evident satisfaction of all.  Colonel Hunt, Logie and Mrs and Miss Drysdale, representing an old scholar, were the donors of the beautiful book prizes as well as special prizes for sewing and knitting.  There were present also Mrs Macdonald, member of the school board, and Mr Morgan, local manager - the latter of whom has taken an interest in the school for the past 70 years or so.  After the distribution of prizes by Colonel Hunt for regular attendance and by Miss Drysdale for Bible, writing and sewing, the gentlemen present addressed the children on their privileges and responsibilities.  The present war times gave a tone to all the remarks Mr MacDonald specially addressed the pupils who are leaving at this time and in closing proposed votes of thanks to the Colonel and Mrs Drysdale for their renewed kindness in giving the valuable prizes and for their presence with them that day.  The soloists were Magdalene Stephen, P Cumming, N More, Mabel Angus, Minnie Cumming, Dianah Duncan, Edith Gow and James Coutts.  The dux of the school was Lizzie Allan.  It should also be mentioned that our good friend, Mr Inverarity, again contributed to the prize fund.



[Logie House still exists on the edge of the village of Crossford and is a house built in 1870 iwth a twentieth century extension.  The house has a shield dated 1870 above the doorway with a monogram JAH, for James Alexander Hunt, below.  The gardens of Logie House are usually open to the public once a year through the Scotland's Gardens scheme and the house is still in the hands of the Hunt family.]
DCM for Dunfermline RFA man

Mr John Spence, Pittencrieff Street, Dunfermline has received intimation from his son, Bombardier Alexander Spence, 7th Division of the RFA, that he has been awarded the DCM.  Bombardier Spence is unable to say the incident which brought him the honour, but he is inclined to believe that it was for an act prior to the battle of Neuve Chapelle.  A fierce bombardment was in progress between the British and German lines.  Bombardier Spence was in a house undertaking signalling duty.  The signalling wires were cut by a shell no fewer than five times.  On four occasions Spence went out under heavy fire and executed the work of repair, on the fifth occasion his efforts were frustrated in consequence of the lack of material to restore the damage.

Tune in next week to see what happened in Dunfermline next week 100 years ago ..........
Blog written by Jacqueline Hunter of Ancestral Research by Jacqueline, Dunfermline, Scotland. Please email me at jacquelinehunter895@gmail.com if I can help you with your family history research.