Family
History
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Census
Census Records and Statistical Accounts
Both of these resources have been invaluable in researching the varied
and sometimes unusual trades associated with employment in the old
parish of Stonehouse, formerly including Sandford.
Although there are several more census years available through the
services of the Heritage Group, I concentrated my investigations on the
census years 1841, 1881 and 1891.
The 1696 parish census by Rev. Archilbald
Foyer does not provide
information on the employment of residents, at a time when most of the
population were recorded as living outwith the village, on the outlying
farm steadings. The 1696 census only provides the names of farms, but
not the names of the streets in the village, which contained only 272
inhabitants (street names were only formalised in the mid 19th
century). However, it is possible to establish family groups. Some
parochial records did not record individuals because they were
seceders. Rev. William Taylor was father to nine children, seven of
which were probably born in Stonehouse, yet none are recorded as such,
on the parochial registrar.
In compiling the data from the original source material, deciphering
the names can be extremely difficult due to the legibility of the
authors scribe and his understanding of how to spell the family names
resident in the household. The individuals who recorded the census
(often the parish minister prior to 1801) would record the residents
name as they sounded, e.g. Campbell as Campbol or Paterson as Patirson
etc. It is, therefore, important to keep this in mind when trying to
translate the information. It is also the case that the ‘Enumerators’
(census recorders) were only able to record the information as
intimated by those present in the dwelling. The inhabitants were often
illiterate and unable to check what had been written on their behalf.
In Scotland, census records have been taken every ten years since 1801,
but it is only since 1841, that genealogists and historical researchers
have been able to attain facts from the census other than the names of
residents inhabiting their particular town. As detailed in the examples
taken from the 1841 census, the enumerator compiled, information on the
street or farm, name of occupier, occupation, age and birth place of
every individual. However, in contrast to later census, the status and
relationship of the individuals were not recorded. This makes the
identification of family groups more difficult in attempting to trace
family ancestors.
In recording the age of residents in 1841, it must be remembered that
these figures are not always accurate. Individuals under 15 years of
age were recorded correctly, but most other residents were grouped in
multiples of five years after being rounded down. For example, John
Brown a lime worker from Sandford, may in fact be 39, but is recorded
as 35 years of age. Only by referring to the registrar of births can
the individuals details be accurately confirmed. The 1841 census was
also inaccurate in identifying residents place of birth. This was
recorded either as ‘Y’ for born in the parish, ‘N’ for not born in the
parish, ‘I’ for born in Ireland, ‘E’ for born in England or ‘F’ for
born abroad.
The census enumerators were reliant on the occupiers being in on the
day of the recording, otherwise they would not be recorded as being
resident in Stonehouse. Thus, natives of Stonehouse, such as, those
serving in military service or travelling merchants would not have been
recorded. Equally so, residents from other parishes, such as lodgers
and travelling salesmen were recorded in our census records.
All census materials are available from the Heritage Group and provide
excellent reference material on the varying trades throughout the
parish. Other useful resources include the old valuation rolls and the
statistical accounts of the parish.
The statistical accounts were
usually undertaken by the parish minister
and provided a valuable insight into the history of the parish, as well
as proving detailed information on the events and characters affecting
the parish at the time. Unfortunately the census of recent have not
been as informative or researched as ‘passionately’ as formerly
undertaken, such as those by Rev. Hugh Dewar (1836), Rev. Morehead
(1790) or Rev. Pollock (1950).
Excluding farming, which had always
been the predominant occupation,
the census show clear trends in employment, from weaving through the
18th and 19th century to nearly a third of men being employed in mining
in 1950. Rev. Pollock (1950) intimated
a sixth of men were employed by
British Rail, only 15 years before its
demise in 1965. The closure of
the rail service was a devastating blow to the employment opportunities
in the community and throughout Lanarkshire. Another prominent employer
in the 1950’s was the fruit growing holdings throughout the village.
Primarily producing tomatoes and strawberries, 30 of the tenant
holdings were under the ownership of the Board of Agriculture, while
the other 15 were privately owned.
Today Stonehouse is predominantly a commuter village, in a society
increasingly mobile in pursuing employment opportunities. Our roads are
dominated by the car, to which we have become ever more dependant due
to poor public transport services. Business parks are a common
development of the late 20th century and many of our council facilities
and domestic requirements are either centralised in the larger towns,
or in so called ‘greenbelt’ retail parks. The small independent trader
is fast becoming a rarity, as can be evidenced by the decreasing number
of shops in the village.
As we enter a new age of technology and science, we have, and shall
learn to adapt to the demands of the consumer and industrial
development. The challenge ahead is daunting but together as a
community we can strive to build on the years of commitment and
personal sacrifice our ancestors and local dignitaries strove for, in
taking Stonehouse into a new era of science and opportunity.
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