Name of prison in Glasgow

weedram · Post by **weedram** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:13 pm

I have recently discovered a young ancestor of mine in prison, in the 1861 census. Unfortunately the page that he is listed on doesn't give the name of the prison. It was in the High Church area of Glasgow. I've been looking up old maps online via the National Library of Scotland, but my knowledge of the districts layout is very poor and I don't really know which bits of the maps to zoom in on. Any further "focus" from someone would be very helpful.

Post by **Tracey** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:24 pm

Hello weedram and welcome to Talkingscot

Just a thought but have you clicked the View Free Header button on the census and does that tell you anything ?

Tracey

Post by **AnneM** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:43 pm

Hi weedram

It seems that in 1861 there were 2 prisons in Glasgow, the North Prison in Duke Street and the South Prison in Glasgow Green. The article I found says that the latter closed in 1862 but the former stayed open till 1955, largely for women after Barlinne (known as the Bar-L) was built in the 1880s. I have to say that my geography of Glasgow is not good enough to tell you which was in the High Church area but I'm sure someone else on here will know.

Anne

Post by **AndrewP** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:03 pm

Hi Weedram,

On comparing maps of the pre-1855 parishes, and the 1855-1874 layout of registration districts, it looks most likely that the prison in the High Church district should be the North Prison.

Prior to 1855 (or at least in the 1841 and 1851 censuses) the North Prison was in the North, Inner High or St Mungo parish. South Prison was in St James parish.

On comparing outline maps from these two eras, part of Inner High or St Mungo parish became part of High Church registration district 644-2, part of Central registration district 644-1 and the rest in Barony (Maryhill) 622/1 and Barony (Springburn) 622/2. St James parish went mostly into Calton district 644-4, with the remainder in Bridgeton registration district 644-3.

All the best,

AndrewP

Falkyrn · Post by **Falkyrn** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:29 pm

If the prison was listed in the "High Church" district/Parish then it would have been the North prison in Duke Street. This is just a short distance from Glasgow Cathedral which was the centre of the "High Church"

weedram · Post by **weedram** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:36 pm

Hi everyone and thank you for so much detail! I had not actually viewed the Free Header on the census (must admit I didnt know what it was for!). It is very tricky trying to find district layouts, so this is really helpful. Although I've traced my direct line, I havent filled in all the gaps yet with regard to various siblings....and one or two of them are proving to be more interesting than expected!
My "bunch" were living around the Tarbet Street area during the 1860's; Glasgow is a real unknown to me, so the more I can learn, the better, and it helps me to put my own personal ancestry "map" together.

Falkyrn · Post by **Falkyrn** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:48 pm

If you have a look at http://www.theglasgowstory.co.uk there are a couple of photographs of the prison (1909 & 1955) and no doubt much more information for you about Glasgow.

weedram · Post by **weedram** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:25 am

With many thanks.....I'm gathering links now and will start reading.

momat · Post by **momat** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 10:13 am

Hello Weedram,

Can't help on your query ,but noticed the MATHIE in your list of names
This is my late Husbands family name.
I have Alexander Mathie Born C 1800 married to Elizabeth Letham
and their family in Lanark area.

Beckenham1 · Post by **Beckenham1** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:32 am

I remember the walls of Duke Street prison as a boy. When the prison was knocked down blocks of flats were built on the site. The walls were reduced, most of them to waist high to surround part of the site. Probably still there, I expect.

There was a Glasgow street song: There is a happy land, doon Duke Street Jail, Where a' the prisoners stand, tied tae a nail. Ham an' eggs they never see, dirty watter fur yer tea; there they live in misery - God save the Queen!