I just wanted to say welcome to many new people who have arrived at Blantyre Project in recent weeks who are perhaps wondering what it’s all about. Here, you’ll find Blantyre’s largest online photo and history archive at http://www.blantyreproject.com for your free perusal. Blantyre’s history is explored at a level of accuracy and depth never been seen before. There’s an astonishing 2,425 articles and 6,150 fantastic photos always added to daily, which will be the case for years to come. There’s also a fantastic Facebook page, which enjoys daily engagement by many people.A lofty goal is to eventually document everything noteworthy about Blantyre that has EVER existed, something never been attempted before.
My hard work and extensive research material, both in narrative and pictorial, whilst all copyrighted for future Blantyre Project books may be used if you need it, strictly with my prior permission. Just drop me a message. I’m only too happy to help. Similarly if you want to upgrade photos to the clarity of the bought items featured at Blantyre Project, please drop me a request first. In depth factual research is something I’m extremely proud of and I’m especially thankful for the kind assistance from everybody who contributes something. Thank you also to Gordon Cook, whom in recent years has become a bit of a mentor to me (whether he is aware of that or not!). There are too many people to thank for their input in recent years, but notably Alex Rochead and Robert Stewart come to mind.
It always amazes me how much there’s still to write about. I’m learning every day and slowly but surely the whole picture of Blantyre is being uncovered, not just for you guys, but for me too. I find myself being able to recognise some people in old photos, even although there’s no names on them. I find myself being able to talk confidently about events, buildings, people and dates.
Recording Blantyre’s history at this level consumes almost all of my spare time, and I have to admit i should be spending more time with family. Every article I write, leads to another 3 things to look at. Writing about all subjects can lead to exciting discoveries. Very often it corrects narrative by others, firms up assumption and no doubt with my current level of motivation, I’ll be writing for a long, long time. For many years, everything I have ever learned or heard about Blantyre is without exception recorded in a massive manuscript, almost 800 pages of tiny text and incredibly I now often find myself referring to my draft, “Blantyre Explained” for related areas of research. When published in 2018, it will be FIVE times larger than the largest current Blantyre book ever published, will have taken 7 years to write, will contain three quarters of a million words and all being well, will absolutely be the definitive book on Blantyre, the thickness of a brick!
As must now be apparent, I’ve gone to considerable personal expense these last five years buying further postcards, photos and I won’t embarass myself by telling you how much I still spend by being permanently subscribed per month on accessing historical databases, newspapers archives and ancestry databases. It’s as much as my monthly utility bills, totalling many thousands of pounds. Much of whats on this website could not be obtained, shown or written without that expenditure. Hence why you won’t see or read Blantyre Project’s content on any other website, ensuring the website and books are a unique Blantyre history resource. As a “shot across the bow“, I reserve the right and will publicly ‘name and shame’ any individual using unauthorised content from this site.
Finally, I’m constantly swamped in material, not just of my own, but sent in by others. (My ‘to do’ list is ridiculously long so please be patient if you’ve asked me to look at something).
All this forms Blantyre Project, a HUGE free, accurate educational archive on “everything Blantyre” related being recorded both on AND offline. Nothing is duplicated or posted twice. Each post features new content and I hope you enjoy. 😉
Thanks you James and Bev. Thats appreciated. Whilst Im subscribed to databases to write up history, its great to be able to help people with ancestry requests. Its something i like doing and i find that interest in the subject or family, often extends beyond that one family or person. My motivation surges and ebbs like anybody’s, but its always there.
Your explanations for being swamped with requests is really important to people. My cousin is Don Graham, and he needs this kind of reassurance, says I. 🙂
I am so impressed with your work, Paul, as I may have said before. I wish to keep you well encouraged on it. Bev Smith.
Great stuff Paul! All power to your keyboard