Genealogy Chat

I have a number of children born to 2 different mothers (same father) born at 292 Main Street in Alexandria, Scotland. Does anyone know if this was a hospital - or is the family tree just as strange as I'm fearing? Thanks in advance.

There was a maternity called Vale of Leven Maternity -closed a few years ago. Rosalyn

Hi Rosalyn Was the home at that address? In the 1901 census I have 2 families living there - one: a widow, her daughter and a boarder, an assistant minister two: a calico printer, his wife and son The family I am interested in is living at the next address on the page - 392 Main Street. Any idea why the numbering may be like that (i.e. is 292 the end of one side and they crossed over the orad and started the other side?) Thanks again Jo P.S. Is Alexandria quite a small town? Would most people have known each other in the late 1800's?

I F YOU PUT VALE OF LEVEN HOSPITAL IN A SEARCH ENGINE YOU`LL GET SOME INFO -DON`T KNOW ADDRESS -JUST KNOW OF HOSPITAL,Rosalyn

If you go on scotlandspeople it is £6 for 30 credits but the births go up to 1905, marriages 1930 and deaths 1955 and you will be able to save the certificates from that time only parish records from 1553 to 1854 the cencus is from 1861 to 1901 Alexandria and the Vale of leven hospital is in Dumbarton area

Hi Val Yes, I have the certificates, that's how I know the address. However, none of the other children on the same pages, were born there which is not what I would expect if it was a hospital! Not sure why they would be born at another house in the same street to where the family were listed as living in 1901! I have googled the hospital. It would appear that it was opened in the 1950's but there is a link to the National Archives - although I can't see why yet! I will keep looking ... thanks for your help!

No problem glad to help

Just to let you know that the former 'Argyll' Car Factory is right across the road from the present day Vale of Leven Hospital (not sure whether the hospital is in the same place that it always was - maybe someone from the area can tell you) on the main road into Alexandria from Loch Lomond. The Car Factory opened just after the turn of the last century (c.1900) so would think that it would have probably boosted the population in the area. Caroline

Hi Caroline Thanks for the information. I believe when he moved down south, Fred worked in a motor works. I wonder if there are any records available? Any ideas anyone where I would look? Are the company still going (I haven't heard of them but perhaps they have been taken over?)

Hi Sorry I should have said that the Company is no longer and most of the building. The facade and some of the rear of the building are still there. The building now houses some shops and a Motor Museum. I don't know whether the Motor Museum would be able to give you any information about records if you wrote to them. Caroline

Thanks again Caroline. I might give it a go (writing to the museum). The worst they can say is that no records exist, which is what I assume anyway! Thanks for the local info! Very useful. Charney x