Duncan Stewart (Bonnybridge) Ltd, builders (set. 1893)

[doddie]

Duncan Stewart (Bonnybridge) Ltd was a building company which was founded in 1893. It quickly established a very good reputation in the Stirlingshire area and beyond. On the death of its founder in 1933 the company passed to his sons. However, at some point in the mid 1950s the family seemingly lost control of the company. I am doing some research for my partner who is the great, great, granddaughter of the company's founder. She says that her father and his two brothers tried in vain to retain control of the company. It could be that it was bought over and the name preserved. I have made extensive use of the British Newspaper Archive (BNA) and have discovered that Duncan Stewart (Bonnybridge) Ltd was still active into the 1960s, and possibly later than that. In 1955, John Brown Stewart, the then Chairman of Directors, died at the age of 51. At the time the company's worth was considerable. My partner's father was temporarily relieved of his National Service obligations so he could return home for his father's funeral and to deal with the company's future. Through the BNA I have managed to amass a great deal of background information but have been unable to discover what happened to Duncan Stewart (Bonnybridge) Ltd that resulted in it being wrestled from the hands off the Stewart family. I would be very grateful for any advice and information.

Regards

Doddle

[AndrewP]

Hi Doddie,

On googling the company name a set of records show up in Falkirk Council archives. These are building warrants applied for at Stirling County Council and are dated between 1909 and 1956.

https://collections.falkirk.gov.uk/pers ... bridge-ltd

The company name shows up as having bought premises in Banknock in 1958.

https://falkirklocalhistory.club/around ... k-foundry/

Pages 10 and 11 of this publication show the company having gifted land for a public park to the local council: "Duncan Stewart Park".

https://greenhillhistoricalsociety.weeb ... ressed.pdf

All the best,

AndrewP

[doddie]

Thanks AndrewP,

A lot of helpful information. I will check it out.

Regards

Doddie

[WilmaM]

Would Company House not be able to give you more information?
I'm not sure if they only deal with current companies or go far into historical records.

Alternatively the archives at Callender House in Falkirk may have more information .
BNA does have the Falkirk Herald digitalised so I expect you have all it has to offer, but there may be other documents in the Council archives to help.

Perhaps posing the question to the local history society or a Bonnybridge page on Facebook , could glean more knowledge from former employees etc.
Or indeed the letters page of the Falkirk Herald.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/falkirk ... orysociety , https://www.facebook.com/groups/644408899804572 Falkirk Past & Present .

[AndrewP]

Hi Doddie,

I had looked at Companies House website with no luck. Their online records may not go back far enough.

The archive telephone directories (online at Ancestry) did offer some help.

Screenshot 2024-09-19.jpg

I didn't find them after the 1972 directory.

All the best,

AndrewP

[doddie]

Apologies for not replying to latest helpful responses sooner. WilmaM and AndrewP, thank you for your posts. I will digest the details right now.

Regards

Doddle