c1905 David Ritchie of Main Street
Pictured here around 1905 is Mr David Ritchie. Although not originally from Blantyre, David eventually settled down at Broompark Avenue, then later at Main Street. He was a joiner by trade and is noted on this website for a couple of reasons.
1. He had a keen interest in early photography and took some of the wonderful unseen photos you see here on this website.
2. He is my 2nd Great Grand Uncle
Thanks to Alex Bowie for bringing David into my family tree and opening up a world of early 1900s Blantyre photography. Alex wrote the following short article about David, his great grandfather,
David Ritchie was born on the 17th July 1864, the fourth of eight children to James Ritchie (Ironmonger) and Marion Walker. The family lived in Kirk Street Strathaven, before moving to Wide Close and then Main Street. He married Mary Ann Fleming on the 7 December 1888 in South Townend Strathaven and then moved to High Blantyre where he started his own business as a master joiner and glazier.
He had 7 children, 5 girls and 2 boys namely Lizzie, Jimmy, Minnie, Mary, Jessie, Kate and Bob. The family lived in School Lane before moving to Broompark Avenue and then finally Main Street, High Blantyre.
A keen photographer, he also played the cornet in Blantyre Silver Band and was also the Precentor in David Livingstone Church where he worked closely with Mr Hugh the minister. He took the Church choir and also a Junior choir that regularly performed kinderspiels. He gave up the choirs after losing his hearing.
He died on the 21st July 1938 and is buried in Blantyre Cemetery alongside his wife and two of his children.