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Names of the witches (in Scotland) 1658 – Welcome Library
The Welcome Library has published a fascinating book from 1658 to c1662 with a list of witches named in Scotland. The original manuscript list is written by several hands but also contains a later transcript. The original document is endorsed: ‘Names of the witches. 1658’. There is one short section…
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The “Newshot”, Fleming & Ferguson, Paisley 1943
Today if you mention Paisley ship building to residents or visitors they are very surprised. Paisley’s shipbuilding heritage has a long history, from building canal boats at Saucel to numerous shipyards on the White Cart. Fleming & Ferguson has its origins in 1885 when William Y Fleming bought over the…
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County Square, Paisley
Paisley’s 19th century County Buildings & Jail, sat between county Square and the River White Cart. They replaced Paisley Tollbooth which sat at the corner of the High Street and Moss Street. In turn, The County of Renfrew decided that their space in the buildings was too small and in…
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Peter Burnet – “Black Peter”
From the New Paisley Repository No.4 Saturday, January, 15th. 1853 SONG. To the Air – ” CAPTAIN PATON.” Composed after reading the life of Peter Burnet, commonly known in Paisley by “BLACK PETER.” Peter Burnet – “Black Peter” was born on the estate of Thos. Todd, Esq. in…
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Centuries-old mystery of Paisley Abbey’s medieval drain revealed
From 2019: We are a bit behind when it comes to adding news and research to the website just now, but here is the story of the discovery a few weeks ago of the outlet of the Paisley Abbey Drain and most likely part of the old river wall as…
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Lobnitz at War
Lobnitz shipyard in Renfrew mostly built and specialised in Dredgers and Dredge equipment for clients worldwide. During World War II the construction of dredgers continued, though mostly for Admiralty contracts. The bulk of their work during wartime was for the Admiralty be it the construction of minesweepers, Boom Defense Vessels,…
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Genealogy Surprises
Every so often something unexpected turns up when doing your family history. While researching the Hogg family of Renfrew in the late 18th and early 19th Century I came across the death of James, shown here. His father was a weaver and they lived at 114 High St, Renfrew. James…
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John Stevenson & Sons
Have you ever walked down Weighhouse Close in Paisley and wondered what the old single-story building and yard between the Private Car park and the Mrs Coats Home for Girls used to be? After doing some investigation, I have realised that this and the associated buildings probably make up one…