NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS
An often overlooked source of material for those carrying out research into local history, or their family tree, are the collections of newspapers and periodicals held in local libraries and museums etc. In Dumfries and Galloway we are fortunate in having extensive indexes to many early local newspapers, and with the newspapers themselves having been photographed, they are readily accessible on microfiche in libraries across the region.
I have selected several ‘cuttings’ which I believe to be of exceptional interest and have reproduced the text content here. Many are anonymous; but where the author is known, due acknowledgement is given.
John Graham was a native of Kirkcudbright, who had a vast knowledge of its people and their history. He was a popular contributor to both the ‘Galloway News’ and the ‘Dumfries & Galloway News Review’ during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The following articles by him are reproduced with kind permission of his daughter Alexa.
The Old Harbour, Kirkcudbright – reminiscences of the days of steamship and sail (Galloway News 1951)
Jamie Weems – Chimney sweep & entertainer. (Galloway News 23rd November, 1957)
Kirkcudbright Characters. (Galloway News, 29th November & 13th December 1958)
Ozzy – James Osborne, cabinet maker and undertaker. (Galloway News, 6th September 1959)
Life in a Country School – and the ‘Maister’ Alexander Matheson (Galloway News, 25th November 1961)
By Gone Days in Auld Kirkcoobrie – (Galloway News, Nov. 1962)
Recollections of the Old Mackenzie Hall – The history of the building now used as an antique shop in the Old High Street.
The late “Miss Polly.” Reminiscences of the Old Castle School and one of its teachers Polly Naismith or Marshall. Extended with notes and photographs.
A Call for Improvements. 2 letters to the Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser of 1888 highlighting the state of the burgh.
Kirkcudbright in 1821. Published in 1921 this article by James Affleck appeared in the Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser, and lists many of the townspeople of 100 years earlier.
Opening of Kirkcudbright Creamery. An extract from the newspaper report of Friday October 21st 1921, with details of the ceremony, and of the new creamery with photograph.
William Thomson – Short article on this Kirkcudbright cobbler & naturalist, possibly the subject of Sir James Guthrie’s painting of “Old Willie, the Village Worthy.”
Odds and Ends – Remarks on the state of the town in February, 1882. (Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser)
Old Galloway Fairs and Trysts – J Affleck. Fairly long article from the Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser of 1919. Details the old fairs of Kirkcudbright, and mentions many of the town “worthies” of long ago.
Reminiscences of the late John Faed, R.S.A. – Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser – 12th February, 1926.
Centenary of Thomas Faed – Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 21st May 1926.
Kidnapped! – An incident of old-time Kirkcudbright. Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser, 6th August 1915.
Mr. & Mrs. John (Hubby) Poland. – 2 articles on the retirement of ‘Hubby’ Poland from the lifeboat crew and his wife Sarah after 52 years as town bellringer. 1948 and 1949.