Mary Irvine's Blog: Neither Here nor There by C. G. Docherty

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Mary Irvine’s Blog: Neither Here nor There by C. G. Docherty

I have read many books, articles, pamphlets and done much research on local history since coming to Vale of Leven area, nearly twenty years ago, but this latest book, for me, is the most comprehensive. More people than ever before are interested in their roots. This book explores the origins of the people of The Vale and of Dumbarton, but is much more than a ‘where did they come from?’ account. In telling the story of the Irish immigration and the Scots migration, the foreword sums up the main aims of the book:

Where they came from?

Where did they live and make a living?

What were their living and working conditions?

As the front cover proclaims it traces Irish immigration and Scottish migration in the Vale of Leven and Dumbarton from 1855 – 1900, although the first chapter does give an overview of influence from the Roman era up to the 19th century. And it is recognised there were Irish immigrants from prehistoric times.

The author looks at how and why these two settlements each attracted people, their development socially, as well as how the areas developed and their demise. But it goes beyond local influences, tracing how politics and world events influenced and affected local industry and, ultimately, the lives of the people.

I liked the touches of the personal, giving names to people, bringing them alive and not just part of statistics, such as the 11 year-old boy, the son of a caulker, employed – illegally – as a rivet catcher who died of injuries received from a stray rivet.

Well written, easy to read this provides a fascinating insight for those who want to take the knowledge of their own heritage one step further and beyond. A real gem.

Mary Irvine, April, 2024

Neither Here nor There is available on Amazon at £12.99