Meg,
St Andrew's Parish Church.
Info gleaned from "The History of Johnstone" by Charles A Scott BSc.
The church originated as a missionary outpost of the High Parish Church. A temporaray timber structure was erected in early 1800s.
In 1885 the Laird, Geo L Houstoun donated ground for the erectionn of a church building.The site was at the east ern end of Russell Street.A substantial building was erected of stone with buttressed walls and Gothic windows;the roof was light blue slate with a red tiled ridge.It was described as "an architectural gem in the workshop throng of Laighcartside".It had the full status of a parish church.The congregation united with the Trinity Church in 1952to form St Andrew's Trinity. The church building was sold and used as commercial premises for some time. I think Jaconelli used it until ithe area was re-developed.
Hope this helps you.
Linnpark

I live in Canada near the Rocky Mountains on a property that was home to James Shand-Harvey, an Eton educated man (1894-1898) who lived in a tiny cabin here for 54 years. He was best friends with one of Queen Victoria's grandsons and would have tea with her when he was attending Eton. His father was James Widdrington Shand (who added Harvey to his name after leaving Eton). His grandfather was Sir C.F. Shand, Chief Justice of Mauritius, his grandmother was Emily Robinson of Reunion, Mauritius. James Shand-Harvey was a trapper, and guide as well as interpreter for the native people living in this area. We are preserving his cabin and would love to connect with his descendants to help us in our search. Our website is: www.oldentrance.ab.ca and we have a history of Old Entrance there. Thank you.

Robert McKenzie 1824 - 1893. I belive this great x2 grandfather was a ballie on Renfrew council in late Victorian times. he had 5 children and lived at 12 Orchard Street and finally at 15 Wilson Street in Renfrew. Does anybody know anything about him or know where records of Ballies from Renfrew might be kept?

Alasdair

I am a descendant of John McDowall born 1796
in Johnstone. He served his apprenticeship in one of the spinning mills and began his own business in 1823. one of his inventions the steam saw frame was adopted by the Government for the various arsenals and dockyards. I would be interested to hear
from anyone who has further information on
the above John McDowall. third great
grandfather. e-mail:
jmills18@cox.net

I am researching naturalist, James Whitelaw CRAIG of Paisley who conducted flora and fauna research in Australia in 1874/75. A marvellous collection was donated to Paisley Museum which was on display for many years. James CRAIG spent several months residing at The Gap Hotel near Warwick, Queensland which is near our farm. I am keen to contact descendants of Mr Craig who passed away at a young age in 1880 or 1881. The diary of his work was published many years later and is a source of great interest to myself and others retracing his steps. Thank you.

Linnpark,
Its meg, i would be really greatful to find out any info you can give me.

Meg,
I'm sure the church was the original St Andrew's Church which later united with the Trinity Church to become the St Andrews Trinity Church.Let me know if you wish some detailed information.

can anyone please give me information on the Bank Street working boys home?? and where i can find records relating to boys who were there, thanks

Hi Kaz,

Prior to it's present incarnation as a children's home North View house was a B&B (owned by the same people who opened Kikko's in Houston Square). In the 90s it was St Vincent de Paul hospice before they moved to Howwood and sometime before that I believe it was Joe Jaconelli's house or so I was told. Hope that helps

Hi
My family are the Harveys of walton farm Renfrewshire