The final collection that we intend to research differs from the others in a number of ways.
- The Gibson family of Barrhead
Firstly, it relates to a family, the Gibsons of Barrhead, rather than to an individual. Secondly, the Gibsons were not famous in the way that James Maxton or John Robertson were, although they were well-known locally; Robert Gibson ran a Glasgow publishing company, producing education books and primers. Finally, the collection, or more accurately, collections, contains an amazing array of items, from letters, school jotters and photographs, to clothes, toys and other childhood mementos. Viewed as a whole, they provide a fantastic social history of a child’s life in the 1920s and 1930s.
The focus of the collection is Margaret Gibson, born in 1921 to Robert and his wife Agnes, who is the little girl at the right of the photo. Margaret and her brother and sisters had a happy and comfortable upbringing by all accounts: they were involved in several local activities including art, sport and drama and enjoyed holidays by the sea. The collections include cards and letters, drawings and photographs that show how close and loving the family was. Sadly Margaret’s life was cut short at the age of eleven by scarlet fever. Her family kept her belongings, eventually donating them to the old Barrhead Museum. When this closed, the collections came into the care of the Heritage Service.
We currently display some Gibson family items in the Heritage Centre in Giffnock Library, and they attract considerable attention and comments. However, we would like to exhibit more objects, perhaps in different locations. There is also a lot of scope for exploring the collections further with children and young people, who can compare their own schoolwork, hobbies and personal effects and trinkets with those of Margaret and her siblings.
To read more about the Gibsons and to see some of the items we have already scanned, visit our online exhibition:
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