Robert Laing
Helen Nichol
John Wilson
Marion Mowat
Alexander Laing
(1792-1865)
Elizabeth Wilson
(Abt 1795-1866)
John Laing
(Abt 1826-1900)

 

Family Links

Spouses/Children:
Robina Baillie

John Laing 1670,1675,2345,2346,2347

  • Born: Abt 1826, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland 2348
  • Marriage: Robina Baillie on 1 Jul 1850 in Whitburn, Linlithgow, Scotland 2342,2343,2344
  • Died: 20 Apr 1900, West Calder, Scotland aged about 74 2349

bullet   Cause of his death was Epithilioma (Cancer) of Lower Jaw . 9 months.2349

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bullet  General Notes:

1861 census, Scotland
Part of Blackburn Village, Whitburn - 8th April, 1861

John Laing, Head, married, age 31, occupation Carrier, born Linlithgowshire, Whitburn

Robina Laing, Wife, married, age 36, born Torpichen
Elizabeth Laing, daughter, age 9, scholar, born Whitburn
Janet Laing, daughter, age 7, scholoar, born Whitburn
Alexander Laing, son, age 5, born Whitburn
Robina Laing, daughter, age 3, born Whitburn
John Laing, son, age 1, born Whitburn
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1881 Census, Scotland, FHL film 0203709, EnumDist 3, page 14
Dwelling: Blackburn, Census Place: Whitburn, Linlithgow, Scotland

JOHN LAING, head, age 54, b. Bathgate, Linlithgow, Scotland, occupation Pit Head Labourer
ROBINA LAING, wife, age 57, b. Torphichen, Linlithgow, Scotland

John Laing, son, age 21, b. Whitburn, Linlithgow, Scotland, Assistant Pit Headman
William Laing, son, age 19, b. Whitburn, Linlithgow, Scotland, Colliery Foreman
Robert Laing, son, age 17, b. Whitburn, Linlithgow, Scotland, Shale Runner
Ludovic Laing, son, age 13, b. Whitburn, Linlithgow, Scotland, Scholar
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History of Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland, (extract from Blackburn internet web site)

At the end of the 18th century it was relatively easy to hire a loom, learn the weaving trade and get custom from the great Glasgow and Lanarkshire manufactures. Wages were good and the standard of living was high because there was a tremendous demand for cloth. But mechanisation was just around the corner. By the 19th century, steam powered looms could weave more cheaply and quickly than a handloom weaver. Trade declined wages fell and there was great hardship amongst the weavers. In Bathgate the town Council helped the destitute weavers by employing them to break stones to relay Cochran Street and South Mid Street. By the middle of the 19th century there wasn't many weavers left. Most of them had taken up alternative work in the coal mines, the foundries, the Bathgate Chemical Works and later in the shale and oil works.
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The Blackburn Boat People Print this page.

Extract from the West Lothian Courier Friday January 16th 1987

Its 60 years since the boat people of Blackburn emigrated to British Columbia, Canada. Most were related through blood or marriage to two of Blackburn's main families, the Ried's and the Andersons. Every year at Pitt Meadows, Vancouver there is a wonderful get together, called the "Ried - Anderson Picnic" when the occasion is recalled.

Many travel hundreds of miles to attend, with their new descendants to be with old friends. Some of course are no longer alive and are ver much missed.

The now intermingled Canadian/Scott's recall memories, while older ones explain to the younger all about the clans of Scotland. The "wean", the baby held in Jessie Ried's arms on the left of the picture lifts his accordion and his younger brother Harry joins in with "The Rowan Tree". "John Anderson My Jo" "Loch Lomond" and all Scotland's old traditional songs. The party always ends with everyone making plans for the next year's.

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Memories of an 82 year old Lady (Extract from the Blackburn internet web site)

I remember Blackburn before it was developed. There was no "new" side to the town. Before the B.M.C. opened, Blackburn was a very close knit community, never a locked door in the village. Everyone knew everyone else's business.

Our mothers stood in the back gardens "gabbing" over the fence to the neighbors, while hanging out the washing. The menfolk were away working in the mines, kids were playing peevers in the street with an empty boot polish can. The "laddies" were away "doon the burn" for a fish and a swim.. They wont be back for hours, away with a bit of string, a safety pin and a tin for the worms, a piece on cheese wrapped up in newspaper to do then till dinner time.

Money was tight but life was quiet, no kids screaming "I've nothing to do". In those day the kids made their own entertainment, something that today's kids don't know how to do. If they ever complained about boredom they got a clip around the ear and given work to do.

The lassies helped out with the house work - getting trained for when they were married. There seemed to be a lot of competition and bitchiness amongst the wife's. If the woman along the road hadn't washed her windows this week the whole village knew about it. If someone's washing wasn't hanging on the rope on a good day, the whole street gossiped about it over the back fences, while the women stood with nothing to do until the men were home.

I always remember a Tuesday best... that was steak pie and veg night.. Although there always tended to be more gravy than steak in the pie, but we always got a big thick bit of bread to make up for it. The thing I hated the most was having to wait till dad got his dinner and made sure he had his fill before we got ours. Mum always seemed to be the last to get fed.. Infact I cant remember a time when she actually ate dinner with dad, except for Christmas. As soon as dad finished his dinner he was of down the pub for a few drinks with his mates while mum put us to bed and done all the dishes and tidying up ready for the next day.

A woman's work was never done.

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bullet  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation, 1855, Blackburn, Scotland. 2348 occupation : Carter, age 29 years

• Occupation, 1878. 1670 Labourer


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John married Robina Baillie, daughter of John Baillie and Ann Smith, on 1 Jul 1850 in Whitburn, Linlithgow, Scotland 2342,2343.,2350 (Robina Baillie was born in 1825 in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland 2351 and died on 21 Dec 1896 in BruceHill, Loganlea, West Calder, Scotland 2352.). The cause of her death was Senile Decay, Pneumonia.2349


bullet  Marriage Notes:

John Laing and Robina Baillie were married 1 July, 1850 in Whitburn, West Lothian county, Scotland according to the LDS International Genealogical Index files, Batch # 116734, film # 0102998.

The same files indicate that the marriage was also recorded 5 July, 1850 in Torphichen, West Lothian county, Scotland , this time on Batch # M116715, and film # 1066638. It seems that the wedding was recorded twice , in each of the home villages of the bride and groom.
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Extract of entries in an OLD PAROCHIAL REGISTER from a Register of Proclamation of Banns and Marriages dated 1 July, 1850. Parish of Whitburn, County of Linlithgow

"John Laing of this parish and Robina Baillie of the Parish of Torphichen were proclaimed on the two Sabbaths preceding the 1 July, 1850"

certified copy issued by the General Register Office, Edinburgh on 14 May, 2001
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