A microhistory of Port Glasgow c.1841 with particular reference to the economic and social role of Irish migrants

Burns, Janice Mary (2025) A microhistory of Port Glasgow c.1841 with particular reference to the economic and social role of Irish migrants. MLitt(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The purpose of this microhistory is to identify if interrogation of Census data (1841) can contribute meaningfully to a greater understanding of the experiences of pre-famine Irish migrants in Scotland. This is achieved by examining the economic and social circumstances of Irish migrants in the small town of Port Glasgow, on the west coast of Scotland, in the period immediately preceding the famine in Ireland c.1845. The detailed interrogation of Census data (1841) undertaken in this research, whilst recognising limitations inherent in such data, demonstrates the number of Irish people who were present in Port Glasgow in 1841, and reveals the ‘layers’ of their lives as individuals, family members, workers, friends, and neighbours. By consulting relevant primary and secondary sources and legislation pertaining to housing, employment, education, and Poor Law provision this microhistory offers a fuller appreciation of some aspects of the lives and work of Irish people in Scotland in the mid-nineteenth century. Where appropriate perceptions of Irish people as being ‘alien’ or ‘the other’ have been qualified.

Detailed scrutiny of a sample comprising three Enumeration Districts in Census returns pertaining to Port Glasgow (1841), has contributed to an understanding of the number of, mainly working class, first and second generation Irish people who were present in these areas of Port Glasgow at that time. Appropriate comparisons between Greenock, Paisley, Dundee, and Port Glasgow have been employed to consider the effects, if any, of location, place of birth, gender, age, and/or generational differences. The important economic contribution made by Irish men, boys, women, and girls in the textile industries of Port Glasgow has been explored in detail and the notion that Irish male workers were predominately labourers has been contested.

This microhistory has highlighted the importance of local research, such as this, which qualifies generalisation which may be found in studies of large urban conurbations due to the volume of data. Only by looking beyond ‘the numbers’ can the lives and work of Irish people in Scotland in the nineteenth century be more fully appreciated.

• Item Type: Thesis (MLitt(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Subjects: D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D204 Modern History; D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain; H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities
• Supervisor's Name: MacDonald, Dr. Catriona and Phillips, Professor James
• Date of Award: 2025
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2025-85132
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 23 May 2025 09:56
• Last Modified: 23 May 2025 09:56
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.85132
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/85132