Dumbarton

I set out in the rain on Monday to the town of Dumbarton.  This required me to get to a main-line station and catch a train out of Glasgow heading north-west, hugging the River Clyde.  The journey took just under an hour.

My great grandparents - William Fisken and Isabella Campbell moved to Dumbarton and were married there in 1868.

Their daughter, Catherine, was also married there - in 1904 to William Glover of Newcastle in the north-east of England (they were first cousins).

I was interested in the churches where both couples had been married (they married for some reason in different churches).  I had done quite a bit of research prior to coming here to figure out just which church buildings I should be heading for.  Over the decades the names of churches have changed with various "disruptions"- and the buildings themselves have changed.  It was actually quite a challenge.  But I went with considerable confidence about where the Fisken/Campbell nuptials occurred.  On their wedding certificate it was stated they were married at West Bridgend according to the forms of the United Presbyterian Church.  I was pretty sure that this was now the West Kirk but that a new building had been built right next to the old one.  I use the terms old and new rather loosely.  The old was built in 1860,  the new in 1888.

So the "new" church is now the actual church

and the "old" is the church hall.  It was in this building, now the church hall, where William and Isabella exchanged vows 150 years ago!

And I arrived right in what had been the sanctuary just before lunch.  My timing was impeccable!  This was set-up day for a week long nearly new sale!  The place was a-buzzing with volunteers - and very welcoming volunteers they were too!

Pat Lister (my contact) was loads of fun.  She kept introducing me to people as someone who'd come all the way from Canada for the Nearly New sale!  The kitchen volunteers made sandwiches and served tea and biscuits and I was the guest of honour at the little sunday school tables!

Despite the fact that this building was the one I was most connected to, I was also very interested in the tour of the church which Pat took me on.  Knowing of my coming, she had tried to find some old things.  These, while not old enough for my family history, were fascinating nonetheless.

They included pew plans and the costs for renting, attendance registers etc.   And to top it off, the church sanctuary is absolutely gorgeous.  Beautiful windows, pipe organ, and original stencilling which was discovered during a renovation some years ago (it had been painted over).

So after tours, lunch, chatting and a good look 'round the nearly new tables (yes I bought things!) I set off back onto the High Street where I found the church where my grandparents were married in 1904.  

Their certificate had their ceremony take place in the United Free North Church in Dumbarton.

Unbeknownst to me I had walked right by it on my way to the first church.  It is now a ...... shopping centre.  The Bell Arcade.

Happily there was a plaque on the wall so I knew I had the right place and I did go in.  Bit of a dismal place but I tried to find a little bit of atmosphere (with help from an overactive imagination).

Just a note about Dumbarton.  Oodles of history.  1500 years worth.  It straddles the River Leven and where the Leven and the mighty Clyde meet, Dumbarton Castle sits on Dumbarton Rock (formed by a volcano).  The strategic significance of the rock goes back to the Iron Age.

But today (and maybe it was the rain) it seems a rather sad place.

Like many other towns, the high street is maintained by charity shops and poundlands.  I arrived back to the high street at what would have been the traditional closing of the pubs after the dinner-time (about 2 o'clock) and there were loads of ordinary middle aged men way too drunk.  They were cheerful and friendly - and a couple tried to be helpful to me.  I didn't feel threatened.  Just saddened.  So I was very friendly back!

Day was finished in the local history room of the library where I browsed interesting books and maps mostly and enjoyed a nice chat with a local fellow.