Thornliebank History help

[pinkthistle1]

Hi
Ive got an ancestor birth record saying he was born at Tanhill Cottages Thornliebank around 1857. Both parents work was related to printworks. Do Tanhill cottages still exist or does anyone know anything about them? Were they millworkers houses and if so which mill? Is there anywhere I could search for old photos.
Thanks

[neilmc]

Try here:-

http://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/heri ... iebank.htm

[Anorak]

The Thornliebank Dye Print and Bleachworks with its little branch line from the railway dominated the whole area, as the contemporary 1850’s map shows.



The workers rows would have been integral with the works but unfortunately none of them are named in the map.
I had a look at the maps for the areas surrounding Thornliebank and discovered it to be mostly rural with isolated houses with familiar names such as “Carnwadrick” and “Robslee”.

The heritage web site discovered by neilmac has a couple of interesting pictures of the plant and railway in its heyday and the ruins after it was flattened.





I liked this old picture of the workforce looking suitably glum for the camera.

[pinkthistle1]

Thanks, I had a look on there, i know the area quite well now anyway, I used to live quite nearby..but have never seen anywhere called Tanhill...i was just working on a hunch as I know the parents were connected with mills, she was a thread worker and he was a dyer, Was there ever a tannery in the area?

[Anorak]

Post deleted

[Ronnie]

Your ancestors probably worked in the Calico Printing Works owned by the Crum family. There were 344 people employed in calico printing in Thornliebank in 1845 (New Statistical Account). Check the booklet "Crum's Land: A History of Thornliebank" published by Eastwood District Libraries in 1988 (available in the Mitchell and no doubt the local library, recently seen for £1 in Voltaire and Rousseau, Otago Lane, Glasgow). This also has a list of sources you could follow up. Have you had a look for your ancestors in the 1851 and 1861 censuses? That would give you a clearer idea of the location of their house, as well as other details about the family. There were plenty of photographs in the Eastwood District Libraries collection, which I presume is now in the care of East Renfrewshire. Hope this helps.

[pinkthistle1]

Thanks for all the ideas. The husband was originally from the Gorbals, his wife Pollockshaws, but their kids were all born in Thornliebank then spread out around the south side... the 1861 census you mention only says 151 Tanhill Thornliebank. Their marriage certificate only says usual address Thornliebank and their kids birth certificates say Tanhill Cottages Thornliebank. Ill maybe try contacting the library and asking them, my problem is I live in Spain now and its not so easy to search from here

[Jock58]

I asked my Aunt who lives in Thornliebank & she had never heard the name Tanhill. As far as she knows ther's no area with that name now.
I have relations in the 1861 & 1871 census living at Tanhill, but by 1881 they have moved to Newfield place. That's the row behind the Speirsbridge Church.

Looking at the census returns it seems this was the poorer end of the work force with a high percentage of Irish workers. I would guess this was a housing area within the print works themselves.
Jock58

[pinkthistle1]

Thanks, your probably right. It only seems to be the first generation that were in Tanhill, all the rest seem to live in or around Main street, though I believe its not the same Main st as today...they moved it.

[Peekay]

There's an odd wee row of cottages just off Burnfield Rd between what was Toffolo tiles and what's still Toffolo Jacksons. They'll be, by my guesstimate, roundabout the East-West line an inch or so from the top. Possibly even the wee row an inch above where it's marked "school" The L-shaped block being bang on where Toffy Tiles was.They're now called Burnfield cottages.

PK

[pinkthistle1]

Thanks, im off to have a look on Google earth.

[sharonF]

I have just discovered a Thornliebank connection too. My grt, grt grandfather, John Lang was born in Thornliebank around 1822/25 . He appears to be a Calico printer but is living in Cottage Row, Mearns with family by 1861 & by 1881 in McLetchies Land, Mearns. Anyone know where these to places might be?
Sharon

[pinkthistle1]

Is it definately Cottage Row in Mearns? I have people listed as Cottage Row Nitshill, and then in Cottage row Glasgow rd I think for me the Nitshill listing is a good bet because of the number of mills around there and also the male was an Iron stone miner and there were a number of pits nearby. I wonder if your Mcletchies Land was where the mill was or the name of the owner of the mill? Did you have a look on the East ren heritage site? lots of info and pics there.

[sharonF]

I now have a picture of McLetchies Land - its in Main Street, Busby, Mearns next to the old library. If I could work out how to insert image here I could show you......

Sharon

[My Kitten]

Hi Sharon F,

Tips and pointers on all issues forumlike are HERE

Should be something there to help, if not holler and we'll try to help