Working through some questions and ancestry queries this week. Something I need to do MUCH more of to catch up on hundreds of submitted questions.
Jessie Curtis wrote in, “My great-grandfather Daniel Young and his daughter Rachel Paterson Young listed the address, 4 Joanna Terrace, Blantyre, Scotland as their residential address in 1927. It may also have been Rachel’s address in 1926. This address is shown on the passenger list of the ship Athenia, which left Glasgow on July 1, 1927, heading for Montreal, Canada. I wonder whether they stayed with a relation at 4 Joanna Terrace; or what type of building it was (e.g short-term lodging?); maybe there are clues in who owned the building. The entire family lived in or near Wishaw, Lanarkshire prior to emigrating from Scotland, I’m not sure how or why these two chose this particular place at this particular time.”
Joanna Terrace leads just off the north side of Glasgow Road, Blantyre. The L shaped block of three storeys, dropping to two storeys in Joanna Terrace itself was built by Aitkenhead Builders who were based at the foot of Sydes Brae. Business owner, Robert Aitkenhead bought land from the Forrest Trustees and built Joanna Terrace in late 1896 into 1897, the first of these family houses let out in April 1897. These were quality built homes, with the convenience of being close to schools and churches in a busy, growing central area of Blantyre.
However, these being slightly more expensive than other nearby homes, they attracted business merchants, rather than miners. Joanna Terrace was initially the homes of Blantyre merchants. Amongst initial tenants were policemen, grocers, masons, shoemakers, confectioners, contractors and butchers. By 1905, Robert Aitkenhead had passed away but the building remained in the hands of his trustees.
By WW1, Joanna Terrace had been bought by John and Margaret Taylor, renting out multiple homes. They lived at 268 Bath Street Glasgow and John was a successful barber. Their ownership continued from the 1910’s until at least just after WW2. The first time we see the Young family at Joanna Terrace is in 1925, where according to the valuation roll, James Young, sub postmaster lived there. Remember though 2 Joanna Terrace also had frontage on to Glasgow Road, a total of 6 homes at that address.
The general strike in 1926 brought significant unemployment to the country and prompted mass migration of people from one town to another in search of better prospects and employment. For many, this proved unsuccessful and this was a time when families turned to attractive adverts in newspapers promising ‘streets of paved gold’ in Canada and America. Quite often the menfolk going out first to secure work, then their families following later. However, this didn’t always work out well and lots of people returned to Scotland, my own grandfather John Duncan, included.
It may be in Jessie’s query her relatives were simply staying short term, or boarding at a family members house, prior to their emigration. Well known Blantyre folk who lived at Joanna Terrace included Rev Father Hackett of St Josephs, and Dr Michael J. Harkin.
In early October 1930, William Brown, who resided at 2 Joanna Terrace, Blantyre suffered injuries, shock and cuts to his head when a double decker bus collided with a motor vehicle at the Victoria Bridge over the Clyde, Gorbals, Glasgow. The bus toppled over. He was kept in overnight at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Joanna Terrace still stands today, the building in good order though the area around it with Neil Gordon Gate, the new St Josephs School and now Blantyre Life Care Hub has changed considerably.
On Social Media, the following comments were received on Facebook:
Traci Smith My late mother lived there before moving up to Calder wood drive high Blantyre
Joan Anderson My aunt and uncle had their first flat in Joanna Terrace
Carole B Buchan Yeh I lived upstaits in no 4 as a child and went there with my Mum.The door in the close is no longer there and her shop must be part of the chemist nowThink the hairdresser was called Ina Ogston but I may be wrong.There was the chemist that is still there but was called Murrays and also an optician think he was called Mr Freeman.He was where part of the chemist is now.Think the chemist took over his shop to make the chemist bigger.
Joan Anderson my aunt and uncle moved in 1955/6. Long time ago.
Carole B Buchan My Mum and Dad Betty and Andy Boyd lived in number 4 Joanna Terrace and bought it not long after they were married in the early 50’s.I was brought up there when I was born in 1962 until I was 6yrs old.It was a great house above the chemist with windows looking across Glasgow Road and also down towards Asda. There was a kitchen,bathroom, livingroom and 2 bedrooms (1 which was used as a sittingroom when friends and family visited ) We attended Livingstone memorial Church and my Dad loved the Stonefield Rd bowling club and my Gran lived down the village.There were lots of wee shops around us and a Drs and cinema so we were nearby for everything..I had wee pals to play with in the back gardens and lots of happy memories.The road outside was not as busy then!
Joan Anderson one of my friends on this chat, Lynne, also lived in No 4. Small world. My aunt’s family owned Hastie’s Farm and my Mum’s husband owned Gilmour’s draper shop further along Glasgow Road next to Thompson the newsagent on one side and a pub on the corner of John street. Funny how all these memories are fairly clear.
Mary Dawson I recall going to a hairdressers behind the chemist with my cousin May O’Neill. Through the Pen Close. Can anyone recall the hairdressers name?
Elizabeth Cushley Weir buntys?
Mary Dawson oh thank you that’s her. She used to let me curl my cousin’s hair into wee circles then put a Kirby grip into it.
Patrick O’Neill May O’Neill ! Any idea where May lived in Blantyre.
Mary Dawson she was born in Forrest Street, moved to Livingstone Crescent then Nottingham. The rest of the family lived in Fernslea Ave. 7 brothers and she was the only girl.
Patrick O’Neill Thanks for replying, yes That’s the one she passed away not so long Ago I live in Coventry and it’s not far from Nottingham. I was brought up in Elm Street I Had 6 sisters 4 Brothers. Sorry I can’t recall knowing a Dawson ! Perhaps it’s your married name.
Mary Dawson my Name is Mary McDade also born in Forrest Street, then Morven Avenue. Married name is Dawson. May O’Neill’s mother was Roseanne McDade my dad Joe’s sister. Big family.
Lynne Murray I used to live in 4 Joanna Terrace from 1982 until 1987 when I moved to London. I bought it for £10k.
Carole B Buchan we were early 50’s till 1068 in no 4.
Anne Papureanu I stayed in Joanna terrace from 1972 until 1973 it was the first flat we bought. Our flat was at the side looking onto the side road.
Lesley Robertson Kane Joanna terrace was my first flat at the time when they were refurbished around 1997/98
Stevie Mclean McLean newsagent used to own property there,as I tendered to paint a flat and the pen close late 90,s I think!