Books and articles by the Author

WEST LOTHIAN - THE DARK SIDE

This book contains short, factual stories on the subject of crime in West Lothian between 1769 and 1869. Using indictments and witness statements - mostly for High Court cases - I have written these stories about homicide, theft, assault and robbery, poaching, embezzlement, fraud and many more.

This book not only describes the crimes themselves, but the places where the individuals lived and worked, details about their friends and family, and generally gives a flavour of peoples' lives throughout Scotland over that period of time. Poverty and drinking alcohol seemed to be the main cause of crime then! 
The relevant verdicts and sentences have been included. These can be quite incredible, particularly when one compares the sentences imposed for similar crimes in modern times. Transportation to Australia features quite heavily, even for theft with previous conviction. Some of the stories are amusing, but some are more gruesome!!

For those researching their family histories I believe that these stories in the book provide a fascinating historical background which will help readers to understand what living in Scotland was like during that period.


COALMASTERS AND THEIR CONNECTIONS

Some years ago I carried out research for a client whose ancestors had been coal mine owners (coalmasters) in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. I became so engrossed with the family that, with her kind permission, I wrote this book. 
The youngest son of the family was written out of the father's will, so left home and travelled to one of the furthest points in the north of Scotland - the Shetland Isles. He then sailed to Nova Scotia with his young wife to make a new and very successful life there, but his siblings did not forget him.
It was a fascinating insight into how some members of that family made a fortune and how the money was eventually distributed.
I also traced living members of the family in Nova Scotia in order to obtain photographs and find out more about their progress in that country.

THE DARK STREETS OF LEITH

My new book, set in the dark streets of Leith in the 19th century, comprises of a selection of short stories describing crimes committed there.  There are many cases of theft, of course, due to the abject poverty in this area, but also cases of robbery, culpable homicide, murder, wilful fire-raising, bigamy, abandonment of an infant, child stripping (stealing clothes from children) and many more - even one committed by a Provost of Leith!  There is a photograph of one particular criminal from 1887, which was a real find!  There are also some photographs of places mentioned in the stories.  For those with an interest in Leith, this will make very interesting reading.


I was pleased to see a very interesting article written by Sandra Dick in "The Herald" dated 16 April 2023, entitled "Real Life Great Expectations and Leith's dark history revealed." 
This excellent article described some of the cases included within "The Dark Streets of Leith" and compares the lifestyles of those within the book with the individuals portrayed within the recent BBC adaptation of "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens.

To read this interesting and well written article please click the link below



 







I also regularly contribute to genealogical/historical publications:

To read my article on the subject of "hiring fairs," which describes the hiring of farm servants, use the following link:




 
 




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