Why did your Ancestors settle in Glasgow
Originally a small salmon-fishing village at a crossing point on the River Clyde, Glasgow has been shaped by Battles, World Wide Trade and Heavy Industry.
Old Parish Records
OPR's began in Glasgow in 1609 for births, 1612 for marriages and 1699 for deaths.
The Name
Glasgow means the green hollow, a celtic name from the welsh glas, 'green' and cau meaning 'hollow'
The Early Years
Due to its location on the west of the country, Glasgow was well positioned to send shipping to the West Indies and America.
The 1700 and 1800s
By the 18th century many merchants had acquired great wealth by importing sugar, rum and tobacco.
The existence of vast deposits of coal and iron ore in the Glasgow area shaped the next two centuries of Glasgow's history.
The 1900s
With the coming of the Industrial Revolution, aided by technological advances designed by Clydeside inventors such as James Watt, Heavy Industry in the shape of Railway Locomotives and Shipbuilding flourished. Locomotives were exported throughout the world. 'Clyde-Built' became synonymous with quality and reliability. The launch of the three 'Queens' - luxury passenger liners - was the pinnacle of Glasgow's shipbuilding achievement.